Latin America: Mercosur unions summit presents “2010 fighting program”

On December 7 and 8, Montevideo, capital city of Uruguay, welcomed the 9th Mercosur union summit, an event traditionally organization in parallel to the meeting of Mercosur heads of States. Over 400 leaders from 13 trade unions, representing over 25 million workers, met to assess the impact of the economic crisis on employment. During their meeting, Mercosur unions developed their “2010 fighting program.” One of the priorities is the claim for working time reduction expressed in several countries, particularly Brazil where the debate on bringing working time from 44 to 40 hours a week has worsened (see our dispatch No. 091037). The union representatives also want Argentina and Paraguay to ratify Convention 102 of the International Labor Organization (ILO) which establishes minimum social security standards.
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orities is the claim for working time reduction expressed in several countries, particularly Brazil where the debate on bringing working time from 44 to 40 hours a week has worsened (see our dispatch No. 091037). The union representatives also want Argentina and Paraguay to ratify Convention 102 of the International Labor Organization (ILO) which establishes minimum social security standards.

“Nothing was done for workers’ rights.” In the summit’s final declaration, the southern American unions

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