WFTU - World Federation of Trade Unions

10/06/2026

WFTU Panel discussion titled “35 Hour Workweek: A Necessary, Mature, and Feasible Demand”.

The WFTU held a Panel Discussion under the title “35 Hour Workweek: A Necessary, Mature, and Feasible Demand” on June 9th, 2026 in Geneva, as the second side-event in the framework of the 114th International Labour Conference.
The Panel Discussion kicked off with the introductory interventions of three keynote speakers: Pambis Kyritsis, WFTU General Secretary; Estaban Munoz, Information Technology Engineer on behalf of IWI; and Isido Esnaolaz, economist.
The discussion focused on the firm, timely, and just demand for a 35-hour work week with no wage reduction and with improved security, social rights, and working conditions.
All the participants who took the floor underlined that 35-hour work week is a realistic demand that corresponds to the growth of productivity and technological development, while at the same time being a necessary condition for the reproduction of labour power and the satisfaction of the contemporary needs of the peoples and today’s working-class families.

10/06/2026

Solidarity with the 24-hour strike in railways in France

The World Federation of Trade Unions, the militant voice of 105 million workers all over the world, expresses its full solidarity with the 24-hour strike in the railways in France.

This strike is the militant response to the deterioration of working conditions, the rising prices, and the liberalization and commercialization of the railways, promoting the just demands of the workers who are fighting for wage increases, dignified working conditions, and public, affordable, and safe transport in France.

The strike of the railway workers is part of the broader, international class struggle against exploitation and against the attack on workers’ rights, in an area where the bourgeois governments spend tons of money on the war economy. The WFTU assures the workers in France and all over the globe that they can always rely on the support and solidarity of the class-oriented trade union movement.

09/06/2026

Watch the full video of the WFTU General Secretary, at the plenary session of 114th International Labour Conference

08/06/2026

WFTU Informal Presidential Council Meeting in Geneva

The WFTU Informal Presidential Council Meeting took place on June 8th, 2026 in Geneva, as the first side-event in the framework of the 114th International Labour Conference.
Tens of cadres, members and friends of WFTU participated in this important event and discussed the WFTU's main activities for the coming months.
Moreover, the WFTU’s priorities were highlighted as we approach the 19th World Trade Unions Congress, which has been decided to take place in Sri Lanka on 13–15 May 2027.

05/06/2026

📢 You can participate in the signature campaign at www.firmoporcuba.com
TURKEY: The Turkish leg of the Global Signature Campaign in Solidarity with Cuba, in initially launched by the International Workers' Institute (IWI), the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) Latin America and Caribbean Regional Office, and the Cuban Workers' Center (CTC), was initiated today through a press conference held at the headquarters of the United Metal Workers' Union (Birleşik Metal-İş), organized jointly by Birleşik Metal-İş, Nakliyat-İş, Genel Sağlık-İş, Sosyal-İş, Basın-İş, Enerji-Sen, Dev Yapı-İş, Bağımsız Maden-İş, DGD-Sen, the Pensioners' Solidarity Union, Kataş-Sen, İYİ-SEN, BTO-SEN, Revolutionary Tourism Workers' Union (Devrimci Turizm-İş), Dev Emekli-Sen Kartal Branch, and Tümka-İş.
Following the press conference, we opened our signature stand at Kadıköy Ferry Square.
The people in Turkey were invited to show solidarity with the Cuban people and support the signature campaign.
Hands off Cuba!
Down with imperialism!
End the blockade against Cuba!
The Cuban People Are Not Alone!
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03/06/2026

The World Federation of Trade Unions sent a greeting message to the 14th National Congress of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor.

You can read read the full letter in the linkbelow:

Dear Comrades, Brothers and Sisters of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour On behalf of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) and the millions of workers who struggle within the ranks of the international class-oriented trade union movement, I extend our warmest militant greetings and....

02/06/2026

The European Regional Office of the WFTU is glad to invite the comrades to the Online Conference of the 5th June 2026 h. 5pm (Rome Time), to support Cuba. Will be present also the CTC Cuba and Prof. Dania Leyva Creagh.
Scan the qrcode to join, or click on the link to join the meeting on Zoom:
https://zoom.us/meetings/99629611834/invitations...

The European Regional Office of the WFTU is glad to invite the comrades to the Online Conference of the 5th June 2026 h. 5pm (Rome Time), to support Cuba. Will be present also the CTC Cuba and Prof. Dania Leyva Creagh.

Scan the qrcode to join, or click on the link to join the meeting on Zoom:
https://zoom.us/meetings/99629611834/invitations?signature=11YKnBohT60SGif2dgATRgWSK0DiZYtcJuF8RSARH_o

31/05/2026

📍 Geneva | WFTU Preparatory Meeting in the framework of the 114th International Labour Conference (ILC)

The WFTU Preparatory Meeting was successfully held in Geneva, bringing together delegates and representatives of WFTU affiliates participating in the 114th International Labour Conference.

The meeting commenced with the opening intervention of the WFTU General Secretary, who highlighted the major challenges facing workers worldwide and underlined the responsibilities of the international class-oriented trade union movement in the current international environment.

The discussion continued with a comprehensive briefing by Comrade Petros Petrou, responsible for ILO affairs on behalf of the WFTU Headquarters, who presented the priorities, activities and coordination needed for the effective presence of WFTU affiliates throughout the Conference proceedings.

The meeting concluded with interventions from delegates representing WFTU-affiliated organizations from different countries, who exchanged views, experiences and proposals regarding the key issues on the ILC agenda and the common struggles of workers around the world.

The WFTU remains committed to strengthening the coordination of its affiliates and reinforcing the voice of the class-oriented trade union movement within the ILO and all international forums.

29/05/2026

WFTU Program of Activities in the 114th ILC, Geneva 01-12 June 2026

WFTU Preparatory Meeting (May 31, 2026, Time: 11:00 – 13:30 at the CICG – Room B (RUE DE VAREMBÉ 17, 1202 GENÈVE)
First Side-Event: WFTU Informal Presidential Council – Meeting of Members and Friends (June 8, 2026, at 11:00 – 13:30 / Room V )
Second Side Event: “35 Hour Workweek: A Necessary, Mature, and Feasible Demand” (June 9, 2026 at 11:00 – 13:30 / Room: ILO Auditorium )
The WFTU General Secretary’s speech in the ILC plenary*

*Please note that this program is subject to continuous updates

26/05/2026

WFTU Solidarity Statement with the General Strike in Portugal

The World Federation of Trade Unions, the militant voice of 110 million workers in 134 countries across the five continents, expresses its full solidarity with the General Strike of June 3rd, 2026 in Portugal, against the government’s anti worker “package” of labour reforms. These are the same reforms the government failed to implement last year due to the militant and relentless struggle of the Portuguese working class.
Now the government brings the proposal back, submitting the labour reform package to the Assembly of the Republic. It is clear that this package would perpetuate low wages, legalise dismissals without just cause, expand precarious employment, deregulate and extend working hours, and undermine maternity and paternity rights, collective bargaining, freedom of association, and the right to strike. With such measures, the government aligns itself with the interests of major economic and financial groups.
These policies reflect the constant strategy of big capital in all countries, promoted by EU and bourgeois governments across Europe, sometimes under different names or excuses, but always with the same class objectives.
Workers must once again respond decisively, rejecting these measures in the streets and in their workplaces, just as they did last year through the December 11th strike and the massive demonstrations led by the CGTP IN.
The WFTU salutes the militant stance of the working class in Portugal, choosing the path of resistance and dignity against the anti-Labour policies. We express our full and unconditional solidarity with the general strike and stand firmly beside CGTP-IN, the workers of Portugal and their just demands.
We reassure the working class of Portugal that they can rely on steadfast support and internationalist solidarity in their struggle for dignified living and working conditions and against exploitation.