Latest News
10 June 2010
99th session ILO Conference
From 02 to 18 June 2010 the International Labour Organization (ILO) organized its 99th Session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland. The annual meeting offers a platform to representatives of governments, employers and employees from all over the world to meet and discuss all possible labour-related issues.
read more (for pictures click here)
08 June 2010
Generation Y is entering the labour-market
From 03 – 05 June 2010 NKOS organized, in cooperation with the European Centre for Worker’s Questions the seminar, “Generation Y is entering the labour-market” in Trnava, Slovakia. Participants from more than six countries discussed the current situation and future perspectives of the generation Y in their respective countries.
read more (for pictures click here)
28 May 2010
1st Electronic conference on social and cultural communication
On 31 May 2010 the 1st electronic conference on social and cultural communication will be organized.
120 participants from 17 countries (Spain, Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Curacao, the United States and the Dominican Republic) have registered to participate in this unique initiative.
For more information: www.acmoti.com
16 May 2010
XIX Middle and Eastern European Seminar
This year’s Middle and eastern European Seminar of the Christian trade unionists took place from 13 to 16 May in Graz, Austria. It was attended by representatives from Romania, Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Austria. "Modernising Labour Law to meet the challenges of the 21st Century," was the main theme.
more (for pictures click here)
09 April 2010
Work-life-balance and equality
26 March 2010
Re-election of Mrs. Mara Erdelj as president of SS BOFOS
On 26 March 2010 SS BOFOS held its four-yearly congress in the city of Belgrade, Serbia. The meeting was visited by some 80 delegates from various banks and affiliated unions. The atmosphere during the congress was one of collegiality, mutual respect and friendship. Many of the delegates were given the opportunity to say a few words.
more (for pictures click here)
20 March 2010
Press Release: POAS Annual meeting
21 January 2010
Earthquake in Haiti: The Pearl of the Caribbean
A new tragedy has occurred in the poorest country of the Western Hemisphere. On Tuesday 12 January 2010 at 16:53:09 local time Haiti was hit by an earthquake, which had a magnitude of 7.0 on the Richter scale. The epicentre was close to the town of Léogâne, which is located 15 kilometre south-west of the capitol Port-au-Prince.
- Message of solidarity: José Jesus Trabulo de Sousa, president FELATRABS
- Message: Roberto Mejía Alarcón, president FELATRACS
- Brief History Haiti
02 November 2009
Meeting Federation of Bank Employees of Peru
On 14, 15 and 16 October the “FIRST DAYS OF UNION CAPACITY BUILDING - LATIN AMERICAN BANKERS” took place in Lima (Peru), organized by FELATRABS (the Latin American Federation of Workers in Banks, Insurance and Allied sectors) and the WOW (World Organization of Workers).
more (for pictures click here)
02 November 2009
Togolese Trade Union FENET, member of the FPE-Africa and World Organization of Workers – WOW, celebrates opening new office in heart of Lomé
05 October 2009
“Who Defines the Flexible Work?”
Flexible labour has been on the agenda of politics and trade unions for quite some time and has become even more topical with the recent financial and economic crisis. But who defines the flexible work?. And what effects does it have on the society in general and on the people more in particular? Flexibility only has meaning if there is a real free choice. Not only for the employer, but also for the employee.
more (for pictures click here)
05 October 2009
Opening of the new office of UPJ - Uniòn Personal Jeràrquico del Banco de la Pcia de Buenos Aires - Argentina (25 August 2009)
24 September 2009
Federal Cabinet appoints Schiller as a regular guest in the Municipal Executive Committee for minimumwages
As of 23 September 2009 the Christian Trade Union Confederation (CGB) in the person of vice-president Reinhardt Schiller was appointed by the Federal Government as a permanent guest in the Municipal Executive Committee for minimumwages.
read more
10 - 13 September 2009
21st KGZE Conference of the Christian Trade Unionists in Trnava, Slovakia: Holistic education School – vocational training and further education – lifelong learning
Vienna (FCG) - 56 Christian Trade Unionists from 14 countries met at the 21st Conference for Trace Union Cooperation in Europe (KGZE) in Trnava (Slovakia), to discuss the future education. The Federal President of the FCG, ÖGB-Vice-President Norbert Schnedl welcomed, on Friday 11 October, Mr. Fritz Neugebauer, Mr. Werner Amon, as well as a number of other national and international experts on education.
read more (for pictures click here)
29 June 2009
The 2009 European Elections: The path towards a stronger European Social-Political Community
Less than half of the European voters have put their ballot in the European box in the first days of June. Apparently the Europe Union is for most Europeans still something that does not concern them. Or they have doubts about the power of the European Parliament. Probably both factors play a role in the low turnout of voters.
On the one hand people do not really know the influence of the European Union on their lives. On the other the European Parliament still has very limited power compared to that of the National Parliaments. The real political power on European level is in the hands of the European Council consisting of the Prime Ministers or Presidents of all EU-countries.
read more
06 June 2009
Post-electoral straight talk
I am not a clairvoyant and I am not a party soldier. I do not have the habit of gambling but I would have won some euros had I tried my luck. People were talking about it in all places of work, streets, clubs, social events and gatherings.
It was becoming evident that the people wanted to vent their frustration and the writing on the wall was very clear for anyone to notice and take remedial action.
read more
29 April 2009
WOW Conference "Change of the working sphere due to the demographic Change"
On the occasion of an international meeting of the WOW in April in Berlin, representatives of Christian trade unions from different countries of Europe discussed the change of the working sphere due to demographic changes.
The World Organization of Workers, in which Christian trade unions have united themselves, fights worldwide for the rights of the employees. In order to also improve the work situation of older employees in Central and Western European countries, the representatives of the European members of the WOW regularly meet to exchange experiences. These collected realizations are used for the further development of the common European strategy for the improvement of the working conditions.
read more (for pictures click here)
16 March 2009
EZA Seminar ‘Strategies of Overcoming the Economic and Financial Crisis – What Scope of Action for the Social Partners’
The economic crisis is hitting the world hard. What started as a financial crisis is now affecting the daily lives of many people. Due to the decrease in investments companies on all levels are having to reorganize their organizations, resulting in, amongst others, the letting-go of employees. The focus of the meeting was to exchange information on possible ways to counter the current financial crisis.
read more (for pictures click here)
18 February 2009
Half a million Danes face trade union pressure
Every fifth employee in the Danish labour market is under pressure to be member of a specific trade union. In 2006 Kristelig Fagbevægelse won a clear-cut victory over the Danish closed shop agreements in the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. The closed shop agreements meant that an employment could be made conditional on the membership of a specific trade union.
28 December 2008
MERCOSUR - It lacked a Guideline for the Workers
The FELATRABS feels obligated to support all action of the governors of Latin America that glimpses, and strengthens, the idea of integration as an instrument to face the modern challenges of the world. Nevertheless, it considers it important to assume a critical position when such initiatives do not result in practical attitudes for the suffering peoples of the region. From 15 to 17 December, the Chiefs of State of 31 countries of Latin America met in the Northeast of Brazil.
23 December 2008
Radio program 'Let's Get It On': 17 December 2008
Interview between Warren Powell (National Treasurer-Controller NAPFE), Paul Tennassee (WOW-Washington Liaison Office) and Bjørn van Heusden.
To listen click here
05 December 2008
'Workers Sold Out' WOW World Congress in Malta
From 03 – 08 November 2008 the World Organization of Workers organized its 31st World Congress on the Mediterranean Island of Malta. This event, which was the first as independent international federation in the private services, was very important for the further establishment of the World Organization of Workers as trade union.
05 December 2008
And now ‘Back to work’
A European seminar, a World seminar and a Congress; all in one week and all, not just in a very good atmosphere, but also with good speakers, good discussions, and participants who enjoyed working throughout week. With the results of the seminars and the Congress, the World Organization of Workers has paved the road to work hard and serious, the next four years, for the benefit of our member organizations. It was really a unique congress with unique results.
The situation was rather a strange one. On the one hand it was the 31st Congress of the former WFCW and on the other it was the 1st Congress of structurally the same organization, but now under a new name and in a completely new setting.
02 October 2008
President and Executive Secretary of World Organization of Workers (WOW)
Visit to Cyprus
The Pancyprian Federation Of Independent Trade Unions ( POAS ), had the opportunity to welcome to Cyprus Mr. Trausznitz, President and Mr. Van Heusden, Executive Secretary of the World Organization of Workers ( WOW ) on the 29th and 30th of September, 2008.
During the visit of the two Officers of WOW to Cyprus, POAS and WOW have discussed and exchanged ideas on labour matters and also exchanged information about labour status in Cyprus and Europe.
03 September 2008
“Effects of Globalization on Banking / Insurance Workers”
From 6 – 9 August 2008 the Asian Brotherhood of Clerical Workers (ABCW), with the collaboration of the World organization of Workers (WOW) and supported by CNV International, organized a four day seminar on “Effects of Globalization on Banking / Insurance Workers” at Eastin Hotel & Spa Bangkok, Thailand. The seminar was facilitated by Sis. Necie Lucero Regional Coordinator of CNV Verba and Mirza Shahid Baig. It was attended by 15 participants of ABCW-affiliated organizations from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Thailand.
The goal of the seminar was:
23 June 2008
Delegation to the 97th ILO Conference in Geneva, Switzerland
Since its creation in 1921 the WFCW/WOW was officially registered as an NGO at the ILO Conference in Geneva, Switzerland. This may be considered as a successful result of the many efforts made by the leaders of this International Branch Federation.
A delegation of 4 representatives of WFCW/WOW participated in the activities of the Conference that was held from 28 of May until 13 June 2008. The delegation consisted of:
read more (for pictures click here)
16 June 2008
Resolution of the XVII Central Eastern Europe Seminar
From 15 to 18 May 2008 the annual “Central Eastern Europe seminar” of the Christian trade unionists took place in Trnava, Slovakia.
During these days representatives from seven service and industrial trade unions of the countries Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro and Austria treated important questions pertaining to labour law and trade union-politics. The following points of view were compiled together:
All representatives confirm the necessity for strong and independent structures within the respective national trade unions. Particularly the recruitment of members should be intensified in the future.
22 May 2008
Pension reform around Europe
(Reuters) - French trade unions staged nationwide protests on Thursday against plans by President Nicolas Sarkozy to make people work longer to qualify for a full pension.
Several European Union countries are facing pension crises, mainly due to an ageing population. Here are some details of pension reform plans around Europe.
22 May 2008
Union unity in French pension protest
Workers have taken to the streets of France in force to protest against government plans to make employees work an extra year before they can retire. According to one union, half a million demonstrators turned out in cities across France, with an estimated 70,000 in Paris alone. They are angry that the government wants to extend the period of pension contributions from 40 to 41 years.
06 April 2008
Cutting labour cost is not the only answer - Dalli
Social Policy Minister John Dalli yesterday urged industrial sectors to work together to ensure that work practices changed with the times.
Mr Dalli said survival hinged on productivity and innovation, stressing that competition was based on these two elements and not on reducing costs.
"We cannot keep on thinking that we can be competitive only by cutting labour costs," Mr Dalli said.
read more (for pictures click here)
31 March 2008
Meeting North West Europe 27 & 28 March 2008 Copenhagen, Denmark
On 27 and 28 March 2008 the World Organization of Workers, together with its Danish affiliate Kristelig Fagbevægelse, organized the Meeting North West Europe in Copenhagen, Denmark. Under the title “Have we got the right balance between legislation and collective agreements?” 25 participants of 8 member-organization from 6 different countries discussed over the course of two days the various forms of legislation and collective labour agreements in their particular countries.
Ole Hasselbalch, Professor in Private and Commercial Law at the University of ...
read more (for pictures click here)
12 March 2008
EU leaders try to soothe worries over slowing economy
BRUSSELS, Belgium: European leaders will try Thursday to soothe worries over their slowing economies by promising they will move to contain record-high inflation and push through reforms for labor markets and the banking system.
But faced with a limited range of tools to tackle problems that mostly lie out of their hands as oil prices surge and the euro currency continues to strengthen against the dollar, EU nations can only call on each other to stay the course on economic reform — and not aggravate problems.
07 March 2008
Globalisation: fears and opportunities
As the world shrinks and competition from places like the US, China and India intensifies, the debate over the social effects of globalisation in Europe will no doubt intensify. On 4 March in Brussels MEPs, experts and representatives of the EU's Foundation for Living and Working conditions debated the positive and negative aspects of globalisation. The need to tackle inequality, invest in human capital and a call for a realistic approach were among the themes raised during the hearing.
13 February 2008
UHM gathers political leaders around discussion table
The Union Haddiema Maghqudin yesterday presented their election proposals to the four political parties, with the latter all saying that there was a great degree of convergence in their ideas.
Indeed, the fact that the Nationalist Party, Malta Labour Party, Alternattiva Demokratika and Azzjoni Nazzjonali conceded that there were great similarities between their and the union’s proposal which makes one wonder what the supposed vast gulf of differences between them is all about.
22 January 2008
Thousands voice anger over Nokia's Germany plans
BOCHUM, Germany, (Reuters) - Around 15,000 workers and labour officials took to the streets of Bochum on Tuesday, voicing their anger over the closure of a Nokia plant in the hope of forcing the Finnish company to rethink its plans.
Local and federal politicians as well as the head of Germany's industrial union IG Metall appealed to Nokia to revise its plans, which would put some 2,300 workers out of a job.
"There is no excuse for disgraceful and inhuman behaviour," IG Metall metalworkers union head Berthold Huber said, calling the plans "Wild West capitalism".
16 January 2007
French unions and business agree new labour rules
PARIS - Two of France's main trade unions signed up this week to new, more flexible labour rules agreed with business to try to head off tougher measures by President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Sarkozy had given the employers' group MEDEF and the unions a deadline of January 15 to come up with a plan to reform rigid labour laws which businesses say discourage hiring and puts them at a competitive disadvantage with firms in other countries.
15 January 2008
Eurozone welcomes Cyprus and Malta
Single currency now used in 15 countries as Cyprus and Malta join the eurozone
Euro banknotes and coins have been circulating in Cyprus and Malta since 1 January, at rates of €1 to 0.585274 Cyprus pounds and 0.429300 Maltese lira.
The changeover took place smoothly. By 2 January about €150m had been withdrawn from banks and cash dispensers, and around 40% of people in Malta and Cyprus had only or mostly euro cash in their wallets and purses. Cyprus pounds and Maltese lira can still be used until 31 January, in parallel with the euro.
President Barroso congratulated both countries on their excellent preparations for eurozone membership.
11 January 2008
Strength through East-European Labour. Made in Austria !
Independent international Christian-Social path is paying off!
After the merger of ICFTU and WCL, and the foundation of the IGB, the WFCW went its own way ("Initiative" has reported). Under the new name "World Organization of Workers" (WOW) we take our responsibility as international Christian employee-organization. Also we continue to be home to all trade union organisations, that share our ideology, and also want to further develop. This decision made it also necessary to take structural and personnel decisions, which shows above all in the fact, that we furnished an international office in Brussels, where two people are working for the WOW.