The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) is a former international trade union federation that was founded in 1949 and dissolved in 2006 when it merged with the World Confederation of Labour (WCL) to form the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).
ICFTU was established with the aim of promoting the rights and interests of workers on a global scale. It brought together various national trade unions from different countries, representing different industries and sectors. The federation operated as a platform for collaboration and solidarity among trade unions, advocating for social justice, workers' rights, and better working conditions worldwide.
ICFTU played a crucial role in bridging the gap between trade unions and international organizations, promoting the rights of workers in international forums, and raising awareness about labor rights violations. It actively campaigned against child labor, forced labor, discrimination, and other forms of exploitation in the workplace.
With its strong emphasis on social justice and workers' rights, ICFTU also engaged in activities such as policy research, organizing conferences and seminars, providing assistance to affiliated unions, and cooperating with non-governmental organizations and intergovernmental bodies.
While ICFTU no longer exists as an independent organization, its work and legacy continue through the ITUC. The ICFTU's dictionary definition encapsulates its significance as an influential international federation committed to advocating for the rights and welfare of workers on a global scale.
