International Trade Secretariats [antikvár]

' Il'1. Introduction1.1 What are international trade secretariats and why were they formed?The international trade secretariats (ITSs) are world alliances of independent, individual national trade unions whose members work in certain industries, branches or occupations. For example unions organising workers in the metal industry or metalworking vocations have joined together in the International Metalworkers' Federation (IMF), the largest of these "unions of unions". There are currently (Nov. 1981) 14 ITSs, representing more than 60 million organised workers worldwide.The ITSs have set themselves the task of promoting solidarity between workers of all countries. They serve their member organisations-called "affiliates"-as offices to liaise with all other unions of the same sector or occupation. The unions exchange information through the ITSs which is important to their own work, especially when they are in difficulties. Under ITS auspices unionists come together in congresses, conferences and meetings to exchange experiences and views and to work out joint policies.The ITSs fight for economic and social justice in all countries, for the creation of jobs and better working conditions, especially in developing countries. They oppose the suppression of trade unions and workers, the violation of human and trade union rights and discrimination of any kind by employers or governments.To this end they give financial and moral support to unions which are weak or still being built up, by material means and trade union training. They mobilise their member organisations to support any union in difficulty and organise international solidarity actions which may include sympathy and solidarity strikes in other countries to lend weight to a sister union's demands or back its struggle. Finally, the ITSs represent the interests of their affiliated unions and their members vis a vis international agencies such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and other organisations of the UN system, as well as vis a vis international employer organisations.