Global unions: LGBTI rights are workers’ rights

On the occasion of the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBITI) on Sunday, BWI joined other global unions in reaffirming their commitment to make the world of work free from gender-based discrimination and violence, and ensure that all workers are treated equal regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.

In a statement, the Council of Global Unions (CGU), representing 200 million workers from independent trade union organisations, said that despite the many achievements in the struggle for inclusion, equality and diversity, gender-based discrimination still exists at workplaces. Worse, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the work and income of many LGBTI workers as they are disproportionately represented in industries and sectors hardest hit by the crisis such as retail, hospitality and tourism.  

To further promote LGBTI rights in the global trade union movement, the CGU has set up an LGBTI working group. It will also adopt an LGBTI Solidarity Charter and work with affiliated unions to improve structures and policies to “build a stronger and more inclusive global trade union movement”.  

The global unions also reiterated their call for the ratification of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention No. 190 on violence and harassment in the world of work.  

Here is GCU's full statement