The Secretary General of the APJBO and Vice President of the World Organisation of Workers (WOW) urged action to combat the global crisis through solidarity, social justice and collective dialogue during his speech at the 113th International Labour Conference.
At the plenary session of the 113th International Labour Conference of the ILO, held in Geneva, Switzerland, Arturo Fabián Quiñoa, Secretary General of the Association of Senior Staff of Official Banks (APJBO) and Vice-President of the World Organisation of Workers (WOW), delivered a speech that resonated deeply with those in attendance. His speech placed the need for active and committed trade union leadership in an increasingly unequal and polarised world at the centre of the debate.
The challenge of a more humane world
‘No one can save themselves alone,’ said Quiñoa, calling for dialogue and cooperation as essential tools for overcoming the global crisis facing humanity. As an Argentine and Latin American leader, he emphasised that growing inequalities, individualism and the anonymity of social media have eroded fundamental values such as solidarity and social justice.
‘Post-truth allows anything to go,’ he said, criticising the normalisation of misinformation and hate messages that fragment society. For Quiñoa, this moral and ethical crisis is comparable to a plague that encourages ‘every man for himself’, ignoring collective needs and exacerbating conditions of extreme poverty and forced migration.
He also highlighted the harsh realities of migrants who, driven by desperation, risk their lives on dangerous journeys in search of a chance to survive. ‘No one leaves their country for pleasure,’ he stressed, calling on attendees to reflect on the conditions of exclusion and inequality that prevail in the world.
The role of trade unions in global transformation
In his role as vice-president of WOW, Quiñoa urged union leaders to regain an active role in finding solutions to global challenges. ‘We must defend the rights of every human being who devotes their time and effort to the means of production,’ he said. His message included a call to ensure ethical control over emerging technologies, close the gender employment gap and promote a more sustainable planet.
Technology and its impact on labour rights was another highlight. Quiñoa agreed with other speakers at the conference on the need to protect workers‘ privacy and address the risks associated with automation. ‘Caring for workers is essential for a fair future,’ he said.
Quiñoa’s speech, full of critical and thoughtful content, marks a turning point in the international trade union debate. From his position as leader of the WOW, he stressed the importance of building bridges between trade unions, governments and employers to face the challenges posed by the global context together.
Source: https://www.datagremial.com/informacion-general/arturo-quinoa-en-la-oit-los-dirigentes-sindicales-debemos-recuperar-el-protagonismo-ante-la-crisis-mundial-nadie-se-salva-solo–202561116510 (original Spanish)
