Federation of Independent & Democratic Trade Unions & Workers' Committees in Palestine

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The Federation of Independent & Democratic Trade Unions & Workers' Committees in Palestine, representing 50,000 workers, was established in reaction to a lack of democracy within traditional Palestinian trade union federations. Through the efforts of independent labor activists and the Democracy and Workers' Rights Center (DWRC), hundreds of independent workers' committees have conjoined into the Independent Workers' Committees Federation since 2004, holding their first conference in 2007.

The Democracy and Workers' Rights Center (DWRC) is a Palestinian non-governmental, non-profit organization, not affiliated with any political party. DWRC was established in 1993 by a group of trade unionists, lawyers, academics and political figures in Palestinian society to defend workers’ rights and promote social justice. Founders feature Hassan Barghouthi, and Ghassan Khatib. DWRC is centered in Ramallah with a branch office in Gaza City.

Contents

Significance

Existing large-scale trade union federations in Palestine have long since ceased to be democratic according to some observers; the Fateh-dominated Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU) has not had elections since 1981. [1] [2] [3] In 2007 building criticism of the PGTFU culminated in the official institution of the Federation of Independent and Democratic Trade Unions & Workers' Committees in Palestine, representing over 50,000 male and female workers in independent, democratically elected unions and workers' committees across the West Bank and Gaza. [4] Mohammad Al-Arouri, formerly of the PGFTU, is a main coordinator of the new federation. [5] [6]

Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions

The Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU), also called the Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions or Palestinian Trade Union Federation, is a national trade union center in the Palestinian Territories. It has an estimated membership of 290,000, and is affiliated with the International Trade Union Confederation. The union in its current form is historically aligned with Fatah, but other parties have also worked within its organization.

Clashes with the PGFTU

In 2005 the PGFTU sent a letter to the International Federation of Workers' Education Associations (IFWEA) alleging that "the so-called Independent Workers' Committees are coordinating with the Democracy and Workers' Rights Center headed by Mohammed Dahman2[ii] as well as Hamas movement and the Palestinian National Initiative headed by Mustafa Barghouthi." Such charges, which could lead to imprisonment of those involved, were heavily contested by DWRC. [7]

The Workers' Educational Association (WEA), founded in 1903, is the UK's largest voluntary sector provider of adult education and one of Britain's biggest charities. The WEA is a democratic and voluntary adult education movement. It delivers learning throughout England and Scotland. There was a related but independent WEA Cymru covering Wales, though it is now know as Adult Learning Wales since a merger in 2015 with YMCA Community College.

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References

  1. ↑ Joost R. Hiltermann. "Mass Mobilization under Occupation: The Emerging Trade Union Movement in the West Bank"; MERIP Reports, No. 136/137, West Bank, Gaza, Israel: Marching toward Civil War (Oct. - Dec., 1985), pp. 26-31
  2. ↑ Joost R. Hiltermann. "Behind the Intifada"; Princeton University Press (January 25, 1993)
  3. ↑ Nina Sovich. "Stifling Democracy within Palestinian Unions"; Middle East Report, No. 215 (Summer, 2000), pp. 2-3
  4. ↑ "Establishing Conference for the Coalition of Independent and Democratic Trade Unions & Workers' Committees in Palestine July 25, 2007" Archived August 29, 2008, at the Wayback Machine .; Advocacynet, July 25, 2007
  5. ↑ "Unemployed workers demonstrate against poverty" [ permanent dead link ] Stand Up, Take Action - UNDP site, October 17, 2007
  6. ↑ "Statements in Occasion of Workers' Boycott Call"; Stop the Wall Campaign, February 11, 2007
  7. ↑ IFWEA archive - Dispute between the Independent Workers' Committees Federation and the PGFTU Text-x-generic.svg RTF  (29 KB)
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