At the 17^th IFWEA General Conference in 1996, we were charged with strengthening our regional work to face the challenges that globalisation was imposing on workers and their organisations. The appointment of regional co-ordinators gave us the opportunity to develop work from a regional perspective, showing the ability of IFWEA to adapt its structures to changing times.

Recruiting new affiliates

At the time, the Latin American region was experiencing problems. Some organisations had ceased to exist, or simply had directed their efforts towards other areas of work. Recruitment of new affiliates became essential. We began to establish fraternal links with other workers’ education organisations and strong unions in the region. CUT in Brazil and IESI/CGTP-Peru have recently affiliated. We have also established fraternal relations with important trade union schools, for example INEL/CEOSL (Ecuador) and INAESIN/CV (Venezuela).

International Study Circles

An important tool in our work has been ISCs. For the past four years, Latin American countries such as Peru have participated in two of the ISC courses: tackling transnationals and women in the global food industry.

Although the participation of other Latin American affiliates in ISCs has been limited, it was still possible for affiliates in the region to share their "know-how" in a Latin-American seminar: "Workers’ Education and fundamental workers’ rights in a global context", which took place at the end of last year.

The outcomes of the seminar highlighted the need to include other Latin American affiliates in ISCs. In particular, we need themes which combine the problems of globalisation with the specific characteristics of developing countries.

Future activities

Workers in Latin America, like their counterparts in other parts of the world, are facing the impact of globalisation. There are themes for education work which are particularly relevant in the Latin American context.

Transnational Corporations

Economic liberalisation over the past ten years has resulted in an influx of capital. There is a large presence of transnational corporations which have been able to operate with minimum state control, and in a framework of labour relations which is disadvantageous to workers. Unions need good information on these companies, and links with workers in other parts of the world who work for the same company.

Women

Women in Latin America are faced with a deep-rooted macho mentality and traditional attitudes which impose on them a subordinate position in society. This demands the adoption of concrete measures to break this marginalisation and inequality.

Processes of economic integration

One consequence of globalisation is that processes of economic integration have accelerated. For example, MERCOSUR, TLC, ALCA, and others. This is a new issue for trade union activists who should seek to give to these processes a social dimension.

Workers’ rights

The world campaign "Workers’ Rights are Human Rights" is a permanent campaign of the labour movement. Remember that almost 50 per cent of violations of these rights, as reported by the ILO, are in Latin America.

In all of these areas, IFWEA Latin America is seeking collaboration and partnerships which will allow us to have an active presence in the region.