International Seminar: “Alternatives for the Global Crisis” took place in the city of Montevideo on August 13 and 14 with the support of the International Labour Organization (ILO). Tabaré Vazquez, President of Oriental Republic of Uruguay; Gerardo Martinez, Foreign Affairs Secretary of the Republic of Argentina CGT and Member of the ILO´s Governing Body; Juan Castillo, Foreign Affairs Secretary of the National Trade Union Center in Uruguay (PIT-CNT) and Adolfo Aguirre, Foreign Affairs Secretary of the Southern Cone Trade Union Coordinating Committee [CCSCS] participated in the Seminar.

During his speech, Gerardo Martinez stated his view on the global economic crisis: “The current crisis was triggered by the financial capitalism due to a U-turn in the approach of the global economy. That was observed within the ILO framework when analyzing issues related to plus tripartism, and during March 2009, new tools to tackle the crisis were found: The Global Jobs Pact”.

Also, Martinez highlighted the importance of the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA) and analyzed the main role trade unions have nowadays. “The current situation is not easy; we must be aware of the fundamental labour rights violations in Africa and Asia offending human dignity and deepen our union’s functioning capacity. For Argentina, it is vital a universal allowance for children which will be our commitment towards the crisis and the possibility of development as a region.”