The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), representing 168 million workers in 155 countries and territories, with 311 national affiliates, is calling on trade unions to participate in the “Durban II” conference which is being boycotted by a number of democratic countries because of its anti-Israel character.

The ITUC statement reads:

“The United Nations conference on the review of the action plan and the final statement on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance adopted in Durban (South Africa - 2001), to be held from 20 to 24 April 2009, is an opportunity for States to unite in reaffirming their solid commitment to eliminating all forms of discrimination … By taking part in the Conference, the trade unions of the world are underlining their fight and their commitment to eliminating all forms of discrimination so that the millions of men and women who are currently deprived of jobs, confined to certain occupations, denied promotion opportunities or are poorly paid, harassed and intimidated, can live and work in conditions of equality, dignity and justice.”

It has no mention of the accusation of Durban II being anti-Israel, nor of the boycott of the conference by, among others, the United States and Canada.