The GAWU’s General Council has approved the convening of the Union’s 22nd Delegates’ Congress on August 23 and 24, 2023 under the theme “Advancing Workers’ Rights, Economic Justice and Social Progress”. The Congress, which is the highest forum of the Union, will be held at the Arthur Chung Conference Center and will attract delegates and observers from the various workplaces where the GAWU enjoys bargaining rights.
During the Opening Session delegates, observers and special invites will receive Congress’s feature address will be delivered by Sue Longley, General Secretary of the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations (IUF). Sue was elected General Secretary of the IUF in 2017 and re-elected a few days ago at the IUF’s World Congress. She is the first woman to hold the post. Prior to her election, she served as IUF’s Assistant General Secretary from 2016 and from 1994 as the IUF’s International Coordinator for Agriculture and Plantations. Sue previously worked for the IUF-affiliated Transport and General Workers Union, now Unite the Union, where she held several posts including Editor of the union’s journal, the Landworker. The IUF Rules and their commitment to “actively promote the organization of the world’s resources in food for the common good” have been one of Sue’s key priorities and have shaped how she engages with farmers, global food companies and the UN system in defense of workers’ rights and in the battle for a sustainable food system.
The Opening will also be addressed by GAWU’s President, Seepaul Narine. The Union, at this time, is inviting other speakers to the opening including from fraternal unions abroad. It will also honour current and former union members for their contribution to the GAWU over the years. During the business sessions, delegates and observers will receive the General Council report which will be presented by the Union’s General Secretary, Aslim Singh. That report will examine the work of the Union since the past Congress identifying challenges confronted and the victories recorded. The Congress will also elect a new General Council which will guide the work of the Union until the next Congress. Additionally, several resolutions are expected to be discussed and approved by the forum.
The Congress’ theme, it should be underlined, provides a broad and flexible framework that will serve to guide deliberations over the two (2) days. Congress will also assess the realities being faced in the various industries where our members belong, as well as the challenges being confronted nationally and the tasks at hand while charting a general course for the future.
During the Business Sessions, delegates and observers will discuss the Report of the General Council. The report will cover relevant developments and happenings in the international, regional, and local spheres and the Union’s stewardship since the 21st Congress of the Union. During the discussions, delegates will have the opportunity to identify areas and focal points for the Union until the next Congress.
Congress will also elect a General Council to oversee the administration of the Union until the next Congress. The period that has elapsed since the last Congress were eventful, filled with challenges and struggles for the Union’s members. Despite the difficulties and some unforeseen developments, the Union has come out with its unity and organization preserved and its fighting spirit undiminished.
The GAWU is working steadfastly to record a successful Congress. The Congress had been delayed arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, that delay was approved by a unanimous resolution of the General Council in accordance with its authority as per the Union’s Constitution.
