International Trade Union Policy

No democracy without trade unions

If our aim is to promote Social Democracy worldwide, then we must first strengthen unions. Through them, employees can shape society economically, socially and politically –ultimately aiming for decent work and social justice. We support advocacy groups that serve formal and informal employees in becoming more representative, democratic and independent. For this is the prerequisite for a successful mobilisation of their power resources, both locally and across state borders.

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The Competence Centre on the Future of Work addresses multidimensional aspects of the work itself by focusing on three thematic pillars: Responsible digitalsiation, New Forms of Work and New Technologies at the work place. For more information about our Centre click here.


News and publications on international trade union policy

Group of people with colorful posters forming the words “JUST TRANSITION”; behind them are banners promoting justice, inclusion, and labor rights. In the foreground, a person in traditional dress dances with the words “Respeite a Amazônia” (Respect the Amazon) written on their clothing.

COP30 from a trade union perspective

10.12.2025 Climate Change, Energy and Environment, International Trade Union Policy
ITUC climate expert Bert De Wel assesses COP30: Despite disappointing results, the Belém Action Mechanism opens up a historic opportunity to raise the profile of workers in global climate protection and strengthen their rights.
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Menschen nehmen an der Eröffnung der 113. Internationalen Arbeitskonferenz in Genf, Schweiz, am 2. Juni 2025 teil.

Platform Work and Informality: The Frontlines of Global Labour Governance

12.11.2025 Gewerkschaften und gute Arbeit, International Trade Union Policy
This year's International Labour Conference has produced heated debates, a new labor standard and the prospect of decent work in the platform economy.
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Zingiswa Losi von COSATU beim  L20/Treffen der Arbeitsgruppe der Beschäftigten der G20

Labour in the G20 – welcomed but offered little

04.09.2025 Gewerkschaften und gute Arbeit, International Trade Union Policy
The South African G20 presidency is setting the right agenda—but it lacks the resources to meet the demands of the Labor 20 summit.
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Boitumelo Molete (Gewerkschaftsbund COSATU, Südafrika) auf der Veranstaltung „Just Transition Rising“ in Bonn am 18. Juni 2025

Workers want a Just Transition at COP30 in Belém

03.07.2025 Gewerkschaften und gute Arbeit, International Trade Union Policy, Climate Change, Energy and Environment
COP30 Preparations: Trade unions call for social dialogue to ensure a just transition and protect workers worldwide
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Illustration zweier Personen, die einen Vortrag zu Strategien von Gewerkschaften halten und zwei Personen, die mit Plakaten demonstrieren.

From anger to action: Reimagining trade union power through gender justice

20.05.2025 International Trade Union Policy
Our international dialogue format with trade union activists and experts sheds lights on building inclusive labour movements and strengthening campaigns.
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Eine Hand hält ein Handy, auf dem die App "Union Platform" zu sehen ist, daneben wird grafisch eine Handykonversation dargestellt

Unions’ own technologies

08.10.2024
Trade Unions not only innovate on the use of technology, they are developing their own tools and Apps.
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Menschen sitzen an Tischen beim Labour-20-Gipfel in Brasilien. Vorne sieht man auf einer Leinwand die aktuelle Sprecherin der Veranstaltung.

G20 in Brazil as an opportunity for trade unions

06.08.2024
This year's Labour 20 Summit in Fortaleza made it clear that a sustainable global economy is only possible with decent employment and more social participation.
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Éine Gruppe von 15 Personen, die sich gemeinsam haben fotografieren lassen

Implementing what we are committed to

14.06.2024 International Trade Union Policy
Joining forces for better compliance with labour standards in Africa: BWI, AfDB, and BMZ discuss the future of working conditions in donor-funded infrastructure projects.
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Picture of Edward Webster

Tribute to Comrade Eddie Webster

14.03.2024
In Memoriam - Professor Edward Webster, Comrade Eddie
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Montage eines Autos durch zwei Arbeiter im Globalen Süden

Trade Union Perspectives from South Africa, Ghana and Kenya on the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act

20.06.2023 Publikation, Gewerkschaften und gute Arbeit, Gewerkschaften national, International Trade Union Policy, Die Welt gerecht gestalten
What opportunities does the Supply Chain Act provide for trade unions to protect workers’ rights in Africa? A study provides insights.
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Trade unions and right-wing populism in Europe

The rise of right-wing populist movements and parties throughout Europe is not without consequences for trade unions. In a sequence of short country studies and an analysis based on them, trade union options for action are examined.

The studies are available for download here:

Publications

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More news can be found here.

Power Resources Toolkit

The toolkit offers hands-on methods and exercises on how to use power resources in key union fields of action: Campaigning and Organising, Collective Bargaining, Organisational Transformation and Policy Advocacy. more

Trade Unions in Transformation

Our project “Trade Unions in Transformation” has researched how trade unions respond to strategic challenges of the new world of work. more

Unions and Digitalization

A repository of articles, reports, tools and guides related to the digitalization of work and union transformation. more

Decent work in global value chains

Our goal is to ensure decent working conditions everywhere in the world. more

Transformation of the world of work

Shaping change is our aspiration and that of our trade union partners. more

International labour and social standards

Based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Labor Organization (ILO)... more

How the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung approaches international trade union work

Trade union representation is a fundamental democratic right. It provides a relevant section of the population with the means to help shape the economic, social and political future of society around decent working conditions and social justice. Without trade unions there can be no social democracy!

Our international trade union work fosters social democracy worldwide. We act in close coordination with the unions affiliated to the German Confederation of Trade Unions (Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund - DGB). For the global trade union movement, our foundation is a unique partner, thanks to decades of experience and a worldwide network of field offices.

Our work helps trade union positions contribute to political and economical decision-making. This applies both within the countries where we operate, and at regional and global levels.

Trade unions, works councils and other structures for the defence of employee interests in the workplace can only function successfully when they are representative, democratic, independent, competent and effective. The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung has made helping trade union organisations to achieve this one of its core tasks.

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