In recent years, large-scale struggles and social movements (unions, indigenous, farmers, and students) have been able to challenge neoliberal policies, highlighting
It is not a coincidence if the development of some of these large struggles has been focused on protecting natural resources against water privatization, protecting natural gas and other public goods in other countries of the region.
This Conference was the first initiative to follow up on the conclusions of the First Global Trade Union Assembly on Labour and the Environment.
The Conference adopted fifteen action points under the name of ‘Sao Paulo Agreements’. They consolidated Trade Union commitments to make progress on the sustainable development agenda. They also laid the foundation for common action on environmental issues.
Specific references were made to already existing initiatives, and the need to integrate them all as part of the same working path was expressed. To that effect, the following actions were agreed:
§ To strengthen strategic relationships with other social movements and socio-environmental organizations and networks, particularly with the Alianza Social Continental—ASC (Continental Social Alliance) and its development of "Alternatives for the Americas," which includes an important section on the environment.
§ To strengthen the focus on sustainable development and the environment specifically in the Labour’s Platform for the Americas by incorporating environmental follow-up. We must also strengthen specific structures on environmental issues in national headquarters and confederations.
It was organized conjointly by CIOSL-ORIT and attended by more than 60 union delegates from CIOSL-ORIT and CLAT, representatives from sub regional Trade Union committees and Global Union Federations.
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Argentina: CGT-RA and CTA; Brazil: CUT, CGT and Força Sindical; Colombia: CTC, CGT; Costa Rica: CTRN; Ecuador: CEOSL; El Salvador: CSTS; Honduras: CUTH; Mexico: UNT, CROC; Nicaragua: CST; Paraguay: CUT-A, CNT; Peru: CUT; Dominican Republic: CNUS; Uruguay: PIT-CNT; ICFTU-ORIT; CCSCS; CCLA; CSACC; CTCS; REL-UITA; ISP
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The event was supported by the Spanish Cooperation Agency, the UNEP Latin America & Caribbean Regional Office (UNEP/ORPALC) and the Brazilian Ministry of Environment. The Comisiones Obreras ‘Paz y Solidaridad’ Foundation also collaborated.
You can find all materials from the Conference in Spanish in documents
