IUF LGBTI Workers & Allies’ Committee: Keep workplaces safe and free from discrimination!

An alarming increase in violence, discrimination and harassment against LGBTI people has accompanied the COVID-19 emergency, and the IUF and its members are committed to keeping workplaces safe for all workers and free of discrimination. At a virtual May 18 meeting of the IUF LGBTI Workers & Allies’ Committee to mark the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, guest speakers and union representatives reported an increase in violence and threats in countries including Brazil, Hungary, Turkey and the USA.

Union representatives from IUF-affiliates in South Africa, Spain, North America, Sweden, France, Austria, Belgium, UK and Burkina Faso joined the virtual meeting, along with representatives from our sister international federation PSI, the ILO and NGOs advocating for LGBTI rights. Michele Kessler of the U.S. UFCW who chairs the IUF LGBTI Workers & Allies’ Committee, stressed the urgency of the trade union fight to keep workplaces safe and free from discrimination at this time.