Randall Howard, General Secretary of the South African Transport and Allied Workers' Union, will be the new president of the International Transport Workers' Federation. That makes the ITF the second global union federation, after Education International, to elect a South African trade unionist as president.
Speaking at the ITF’s 41st World Congress in Durban, Howard addressed delegates on issues of globalisation and the failure of the recent round of WTO talks to reach an agreement.
"Unfair demands are made on developing countries to liberalize their markets, while the rich countries retain protection through subsidies of their farmers," Howard said. “It is clear to me that African agricultural markets should not be liberalised in the context of deepening poverty, lack of nutrition and food security requirements.”
"Organising Globally, Fighting for our Rights" is the theme of this year’s ITF congress, which has attracted 1400 participants from 140 countries. EI President Thulas Nxesi and General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen attended the congress, the latter in his capacity of chair of the Global Union Federations’ Conference.
For more information on the ITF World Congress please visit: www.itfglobal.org/congress.