Fourth conference was held in Calcutta, India, on 17-22nd February, 1997, hosted jointly by the National Trade Union Centres and Industrial Federations, Which discussed the impact of globalisation on Workers’ rights and union organisation. The conference forwarded a direction could involve the trade unions into a more campaign-focussed initiative. 165 delegates attended fourth conference from 14 countries and 13 observers from 7 countries and WFTU.

The Regional Co-ordinating Committee was attended by Yoon Youngmo (KCTU), Chittabrata Majumdar (CITU), Bill Mansfield and Tonny Cooke (ACTU), Brian Frederics (International Metalworkers’ Federation), Ma Wei Pin (IUF), L Bhan (PSI), Paddy Crumlin (ITF) and Rob Lambert (Regional Co-ordinator). Due to preoccupation, Bangumzi Sifingo (COSATU) could not be present in the meeting.

The meeting discussed various adverse impact of globalisation and de-regulation of economy on the working class and toiling masses in general. It has led to serious attack on the working and living conditions, service security and the trade union rights of the working class of the 3rd world countries in particular. Therefore it has been decided that the main thrust of the conference will be to oppose globalisation and de-regulation of economy.

Building up of solidarity among the working class against the set design of globalisation and de-regulation, both at national and international level will be the main objective of the Conference. To achieve this, sharing of information on (i) the outcome of contemporary campaigns and struggles, (ii) Trade Union organisation and its expansion and (iii) case studies will be stressed.

Trade union organisation, collective bargaining, contractualisation and casualisation, social protection, training and skill development, hour of work, sexual harassment at the work place, child labour etc. has been identified as some of the key issues in globalised environment. Some of these issues will also be taken-up for discussion in the Conference. Apart from these, issues like racism, peace and disarmament etc. were also discussed. Observance of May Day 2000 as global action day may also be taken-up. The Conference will be held both in the form of workshop and plenary session.

Since inception, from 1991, the Indian Ocean Region Trade Union Conference was never confined within the jurisdiction of Indian Ocean Region. The question of re-naming the Conference and its further expansion also came in the meeting. The Co-ordinating Committee decided that as the attack following globalisation and de-regulation in not confined within the jurisdiction of Indian Ocean Region only, the initiative should be widened further and be re-named as Southern Initiative (or Conference) against Globalisation and Trade Union Rights. COSATU has been given the responsibility to involve the Trade Unions from Latin American countries in the Conference.

When the purpose is to oppose globalisation and de-regulation of economy, the character of the Conference needed to be as broad as possible. Hence, avoiding major points of difference, the main agenda of the Conference will be confined to the common issues only. This will help the Trade Unions fighting against the very design of globalisation and de-regulation of economy with different political, ideological and organisational inclinations, to come together and take part in the Conference.