June 18 2009 Meeting between a WFTU delegation and ILO Director General

George Mavrikos and Juan Somavia Meeting between a WFTU delegation and ILO Director General Juan Somavia On 18 June 2009, a cordial meeting between a World Federation of Trade Unions delegation and International Labour Organisation Director General Juan Somavia took place during which Comrade George Mavrikos, General Secretary of the WFTU, expressed the opinion of the 70 million strong WFTU on a number of pressing issues: 1. The situation in Colombia: In view of ongoing violations of democratic and trade freedoms, of numerous killings of trade unionists, the WFTU appeals to the international community to move from words to concrete actions. He handed over to Mr. Somavia a detailed Report on violation of trade union freedoms and human rights  prepared by the WFTU Regional Office for Latin America in cooperation with the militant trade unions in Columbia. 2 The situation in Chile: He presented the Director General with a Report on the inhuman working conditions of miners in Chile prepared by the Trade Union of Chilean Miners “Cía. Minera Quebrada Blanca S.A.” 3. Comrade Mavrikos informed Director General Somavia on the preparations for the celebration of the 65th anniversary since the foundation of the World Federation of Trade Unions in June 2010. 4. As on previous occasions, George Mavrikos reiterated the position of the WFTU on the need to put an end to any monopoly situation within the ILO and to re-establish full respect for democracy, transparency and proportional representation within the Governing Body and at all levels of the ILO. At the end of a frank and cordial exchange, brother Shaban Azzouz, President of the WFTU, thanked the Director General Somavia for the warm welcome.