News

UNI Americas Youth Executive Committee held its Organising Workshop on the 27th of August, in Lima, Peru. The event was attended by a youth delegation of UNI affiliated unions, with the objective of strengthening the youth committee's organising and campaign strategies.

The meeting was opened by Cesar Soberon, CGTP Youth Secretary, who described the situation experienced by young Peruvians in recent years. Labour flexibility and regulations that violate the rights of workers are a disturbing reality in Peru.

"The Peruvian economy moves in the informal market, with  many young people and no unions. We must put the differences behind us and articulate a new country, with more democracy and workers' rights, "he said.

Adriana Rosenzvaig, Regional Secretary of UNI Americas, noted the importance of youth born in freedom, and that young people should be the drivers of societies that build peoples' democracies.

"I invite youth to break through against discrimination and construct paradigms of equality and democracy, and fight for more rights for workers" she said.

The workshop continued with Julio Gamero's presentation,  ILO employment specialist for the Andean Countries, who said that many young people work in the commerce and services sector. He added that youth unemployment is twice as high as adult unemployment.

"By 2050 the population aged over 65 will exceed the population of children under 14. In Latin America 20% of young people do not study or work. 70% of those "nini" are women doing housework" he said.

Participants exchanged information on the situation of trade unionism in each country of the region, which helped to better understand the particular needs of young workers. Cristian Castaño, Colombia Commerce Workers Union, explained the difficulties that young union members face,  and talked about the process of creating the Union.

Marco Bacca, Sindicato Unitario de Trabajadores de Telefónica del Perú S.A.A (Peruvian Unitary Confederation of Workers) stressed the important role of the union movement against the Youth Employment Law in Peru. Bacca explained how this law cut youth employment benefits and reduced employer labour costs.

UNI Americas campaigns have had great support from the Youth Network in Argentina. Deborah Ferrante, Argentine Union of Television and Audiovisual, Interactive and Data Services reported on the network's activities and the mobilizations carried out, such as "Ni una menos" (Not one less). This campaign started in Argentina and quickly  developed in several countries in the region against domestic violence suffered by women in the Americas. Moreover, the Youth Network of Brazil presented a report on organising youth in that country.

Martín Berdiñas, President of the Youth Committee, closed the meeting with a call to commitment and unity: "We must fight to organise more young workers and continue working in the areas of communication and social networks," he said.

"We must consider the impact of climate change in our society and the role of young workers to address this issue" he concluded.