International Workers’ Day Appeal
For Peace and Development
Dear Workers,
This year, workers around the world mark International Workers’ Day amid a global political climate increasingly hostile to their economic and social rights, and marked by growing restrictions on public and individual freedoms. This trend is a direct consequence of the sweeping rise of the far right, following over 70 legislative and presidential elections held across the globe in 2024.
This complex international context is compounded by the wars, armed conflicts, and political divisions afflicting various regions of the world, threatening dark scenarios in light of the failure of global legislative and arbitration systems to curb the expansion of hegemonic policies—particularly in the Arab region.
This region, in fact, has seen several of its countries become theatres of war, armed conflict, and political instability—especially in Palestine, Yemen, Syria, Libya, and Lebanon—where people continue to pay a heavy human and developmental price in the absence of any prospects for resolving these crises.
Development indicators in these countries confirm the immense harm inflicted on their populations—particularly workers—who face alarming levels of poverty and unemployment. There are also serious signs of looming economic collapse, making the recovery of stability and the imposition of peace a matter of survival for the future of these peoples and their working class.
Dear Workers,
The global and Arab trade union movement has long raised the voice of peace and solidarity with oppressed peoples. It has taken historic stands in pursuit of ending wars and curbing arms races. In 2022, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) presented to the international community its initiative: “A New Social Contract: A Common Security for a Shared Future.” Today, this movement is waging a new struggle to defend the principle of global peace—hard-won by generations of humanity—and this struggle requires mobilizing all human capacities, particularly women and youth, to isolate far-right populist discourse and to defend fundamental freedoms and rights.
The labor and trade union perspective on sustainable peace is grounded in economic, social, and human rights foundations. Social dialogue has consistently provided successful models for conflict resolution, while democracy has contributed to fair wealth distribution and the strengthening of social cohesion. These are core trade union tools that have proven their ability to absorb political conflicts and promote stability.
Building peaceful and stable societies is a critical necessity that requires inclusive policies that bring workers, their representatives, women, and youth to the decision-making table—without exclusion or marginalization. This aligns with the UN’s own approaches, which recognize the capacity of trade unionists, women, and youth to drive peace and stability by virtue of their presence in workplaces, public spaces, and direct contact with economic and social challenges—free from the entanglements of political interests.
Dear Workers,
As we commemorate our International Workers’ Day, we are called to intensify our efforts to promote stability and peace in our Arab region. Our message advocating peaceful, democratic, and stable societies must resonate across both physical and digital spaces, confronting the narratives of populism and incitement.
We are confident that we will win this battle and secure another victory for the free and democratic trade union movement.
Happy International Workers’ Day
Long live the trade union movement—free and committed to liberation and peace.
Hind Ben Ammar
Executive Secretary
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