Annie,
Every Monday for years, you came to work in the IYCW archives alongside Marie-Rose and Marie-Paule. With discretion and efficiency.
Every Monday, you would come in smiling, happy to continue helping the IYCW to which you dedicated so much of your life. With passion.
Every Monday, you would bring cookies and other treats to share with the entire Secretariat team at break time. With generosity.
Until Covid interrupted all those beautiful moments. With violence.
Until the day you had to fight cancer. With courage.
You have left us, and it is with a heavy heart that we are sending you this message. Thank you, Annie, for your precious help, your comforting presence, your contagious smile and your sincere friendship. Thank you for everything. From the bottom of our hearts.
(Editor's note: Annie was an activist with the Walloon YCW and then Vie Féminine. Alongside Marguerite Fiévez and other volunteers, she was one of the pillars of the team of archivists at the Walloon YCW and, later, at the International Secretariat of the IYCW).
The IYCW took part in the 112th session of the International Labour Conference from June 3 to 14, calling for the renewal of the social contract that will take us one step closer to a new society based on solidarity, peace and justice, where human dignity is at the heart of the economy.
In our statement, we reaffirmed that we need a social contract that will secure safe and healthy working environments, access to social protection regardless of socio-economic backgrounds, including access to health, essential benefits and quality education for young workers.
Various Catholic-inspired international organizations, trade unions, the ILO, religious congregations, grassroots associations, the IYCW and others gathered in Rome to give follow-up to the project "The future of work: Work after Laudato Si". A space that allowed us to reflect, with all those present, on the lives and situation of thousands of workers around the world, and on the importance of acting in favor of a dignified life.
Historically, the International Week of Young Workers is one moment to celebrate our international solidarity and movement identity by demonstrating for our rights, celebrating our international campaigns and actions. This year was the same, the International Week of the Young Workers, organized by the International Young Christian Workers (IYCW), served as a platform for young workers from across the globe to come together online and exchange ideas, experiences, and strategies for addressing key issues such as gender equality, precarious work, unemployment, and informality of work. This year’s week-long event took place from April 25 to May 1, culminating in the celebration of Labor Day on May 1.
"My name is Janrick Macinas, I'm 23 years old. I work as a porter in the fishing port in Mercedes. My employer pays me a daily wage of 200 pesos (US$4). My salary is not enough to meet the basic needs of my family. My dream is to finish my studies, but I wasn’t able to go to school, not even to finish my primary school because I need to work for my family. In my work, I am exposed to the risk of accidents. I often slip on the wet floor and I'm prone to infections and skin allergies due to certain toxic materials from the fish and the port. Recently, I was sick and not able to do heavy work. I am afraid to start my own family because I don’t know how I could provide for them.”
Dear women of the world,
Happy International Women's Day 2024!
Today we are celebrating the incredible strength, resilience, and achievements of women from all walks of life. It is a day to honor the progress we have made and to acknowledge the work that still lies ahead in achieving gender equality.
“As for hygiene and safety, they don't give us enough protective equipment, and when we ask for new equipment, it's deducted from our wages. There's no toilet paper in the toilets. Sexual harassment and harassment at work are invisibilized. There is no union in the company, there are only a few people who call themselves ambassadors and are appointed by the employer.”
This is part of Helen's (24) story. She works for a textile company located in a free trade zone in Central America. Her company produces clothing for brands sold all over the world, including, of course, Europe. However, the industrial sewing machines are sold by European, Chinese and North American companies. This is an example of our globalized economy, which is clearly in need of adequate laws concerning international value chains.
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