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The Secretary General of the APJBO and Vice President of the World <\/span>Organisation<\/span> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n At the plenary session of the 113th International Labour Conference of the ILO, held in Geneva, Switzerland, Arturo Fabi\u00e1n Qui\u00f1oa, 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.<\/span><\/p>\n The challenge of a more humane world<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u2018No one can save themselves alone,\u2019 said Qui\u00f1oa, 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.<\/span><\/p>\n \u2018Post-truth allows anything to go,\u2019 he said, criticising the normalisation of misinformation and hate messages that fragment society. For Qui\u00f1oa, this moral and ethical crisis is comparable to a plague that encourages \u2018every man for himself\u2019, ignoring collective needs and exacerbating conditions of extreme poverty and forced migration.<\/span><\/p>\n 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. \u2018No one leaves their country for pleasure,\u2019 he stressed, calling on attendees to reflect on the conditions of exclusion and inequality that prevail in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n The role of trade unions in global transformation<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n In his role as vice-president of WOW, Qui\u00f1oa urged union leaders to regain an active role in finding solutions to global challenges. \u2018We must defend the rights of every human being who devotes their time and effort to the means of production,\u2019 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.<\/span><\/p>\n Technology and its impact on <\/span>labour<\/span> rights was another highlight. <\/span>Qui\u00f1oa<\/span> agreed with other speakers at the conference on the need to protect workers’ privacy and address the risks associated with automation. \u2018Caring for workers is essential for a fair future,\u2019 he said.<\/span><\/p>\n