UNISON cash for developing unions

Public services union UNISON has confirmed the union movement's growing concern about global poverty and human rights by launching an International Trade Union Development Fund.

The fund is aimed at building capacity and supporting trade unions in developing countries facing difficulties as a result of wars, natural disasters or severe threats to workers' rights.

UNISON deputy general secretary Keith Sonnet said supporting unions in such countries was important as "not only do unions help workers out of poverty by demanding decent wages; they also enable workers to share their expertise on difficult issues such as the treatments of HIV/AIDS".