CIRCULAR NO. TUIBIFU/ 2011/1 27th February, 2011
Dear Colleagues,
The 1st and Inaugural Congress of TUI BIFU held in New Delhi, India on 24th and 25th February, 2011 has ended very successfully. The spontaneous response of so many trade union organisations to attend the Congress vindicated the appropriateness of the WFTU’s decision to found an exclusive TUI for the banking, insurance and financial sector. The serious crisis in the financial sector in many countries in the recent period due to the faulty and greedy neo-economic liberalisation policies provided the backdrop to the Congress. The Congress was also held in the background of the mass upsurge in some of the countries against the anti-people, anti-labour regimes signifying the triumph of determination of the masses over any sort of oppression.
130 delegates from 42 trade union organisations from Asia, Africa, Middle East, Europe and Latin America participated in the Congress. A 4-member delegation of Chinese Financial Trade Union from the All China Federation of Trade Unions participated in the Congress and expressed their support and solidarity to our TUIBIFU. Trade unions from Sudan, Pakistan, Bahrain, etc. could not participate as their delegations could not get the visa on time. Trade unions from Vietnam, DPR Korea, Bosnia, Uzbekistan, Lebanon, Bosque, etc. could not join the Congress due to other organisational meetings, shortage of time, etc. However, they had sent their messages of greetings and solidarity.
On behalf of WFTU, Com. Valentin Pacho, Deputy General Secretary, WFTU and Com. H. Mahadevan, Deputy General Secretary, WFTU/In-charge of Asia Pacific Regional office took part in the congress and guided the deliberations.
On behalf of the Indian national trade union movement, the Congress was addressed by Com. Gurudas Dasgupta, Member of Parliament and General Secretary of All India Trade Union Congress and Com Tapan Sen, Member of Parliament and General Secretary of CITU. Com. George Mavrikos, General Secretary of WFTU had sent his special message of greetings.
The draft of the Congress Report and Statute/Constitution of the TUI BIFU was presented to the meeting and after discussion by delegates and clarifications threon, the same were adopted unanimously. The Congress also adopted resolutions on important issues and demands.
The details of the proceedings, resolutions, approved Report and Constitution will be sent to you in due course.
The Congress was presided over by joint presidium of leaders from various trade union organisations from different countries. One session was presided over by a presidium consisting exclusively of women leaders.
The following Executive Council was elected by the delegates unanimously.
PRESIDENT | Com. ALEXANDER LIKHTAROVITCH | BELARUS |
VICE PRESIDENTS | Com. ALI DAOUD | SYRIA |
Com. EDUARDO NAVARRO | BRASIL | |
Com. SALAKO, SUNDAY OLUSOJI | NIGERIA | |
GENERAL SECRETARY | Com. C. H. VENKATACHALAM | INDIA |
SECRETARIES | Com. GEORGE PONTIKOS | GREECE |
Com. TARAKHAR ADHIKARI | NEPAL | |
Com. SEGUNDO ERNESTO MORA MATEUS | COLOMBIA | |
Com. K. VENU GOPAL | INDIA | |
Com. JABBAR ALI SALIMIAN | IRAN | |
Com. MBA MEKAME MARLY MAGLOIRE | GABON | |
FINANCE CONTROL | Com. CONSTANTINOU CONSTANTINOS | CYPRUS |
2 posts of Vice presidents, one post of Assistant General Secretary and one post of Secretary has been kept vacant for subsequent co-option to afford representations to trade unions from Vietnam, Sudan and other countries who could not participate in the Congress.
Friends, the Congress has ended but our tasks have begun. We need to make this new TUI an effective, strong, militant and meaningful organistion in mobilising the workers in the financial sector, in championing the cause of the workers of our sector, in resisting and repulsing the increasing attacks on the jobs and job conditions of the workers in this vital sector, in developing solidarity, fraternity and co-operation amongst our trade unions in the entire financial sector, in fighting for a better future under the inspiring banner of WFTU.
With greetings and best wishes,
Yours fraternally,
C.H.VENKATACHALAM
SECRETARY GENERAL
TUI BIFU c/o All India Bank Employees Association
Singapore Plaza Building, 164, Linghi Chetty Street, Chennai, India-600001
Phone: 00 91 44 6543 1566 & 00 91 44 2535 1522, Fax: 00 91 44 4500 2191 & 00 91 44 2535 8853
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