Solidarity

The second theme, which is heavily focused on practical action involving cooperation between affiliates in different countries, on a bilateral or multilateral basis, is based on solidarity. This encompasses activities in support of trade unions facing attacks by governments or employers, practical assistance to unions needing support for their campaign work or seeking to organise workers in formal or in informal and unprotected work, and building up actions within existing trade union joint work with other groups, such as on HIV-AIDS, development, human rights, gender, racism, migration and so on. In this way, existing solidarity networks can play an important role as vehicles for action, and also use the preparations for the day to reach out to others and build their own base of participation and support. The focus on trade union solidarity must be linked to the broader quest for solidarity between richer and poorer countries on development, aid, trade and investment.