World Federation of Trade Unions

History

The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) is an international trade union founded in Paris in 1945. Initially, it had its headquarters in Athens. The WFTU was formed by the merger of numerous trade unions, including the Soviet Profintern and the Amsterdam Trade Union International.

Division during the Cold War

Following World War II, the international trade union movement became divided due to the Cold War. In 1949, the WFTU split into two separate organizations: the Western-democratic International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) and the WFTU itself. The ICFTU represented the trade unions of Western democratic countries, while the WFTU consisted of trade unions from socialist states and communist parties in non-socialist states.

Post-Cold War Era

After the end of the Cold War and the collapse of communist dictatorships in Eastern Europe following the revolutions in 1989, the WFTU's role as a communist front organization diminished. In 1999, the headquarters of the WFTU was relocated from Prague to Athens, where it remains today.

Structure

The WFTU has undergone changes in its leadership and membership over the years. As of 2022, Pámbis Kyrítsis serves as the secretary-general of the organization. Mike Makwayiba, a South African trade unionist born from the Federation of Health and Education of the South African union COSATU, is the current president of the WFTU.

Membership

In recent years, members of the CGT (Confédération Générale du Travail) have participated in the management of several sectoral organizations affiliated with the WFTU, including those in the energy sector and youth organization. This development reflects a shift towards greater cooperation between trade unions from different backgrounds.

Languages

The negotiating languages of the WFTU have changed over time. Initially, French, English, Spanish, Russian, and German were used for negotiations. Today, only Russian is still an official language, alongside English.

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