Young workers in Latin America build regional voice

Young workers from IndustriALL affiliates in Argentina, Brazil, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru and Uruguay met at the regional office in Montevideo on 28-29 April. They reviewed changes approved at IndustriALL's 4th Congress and discussed how to strengthen coordination and representation of trade union youth across the region.

At the 4th Congress in November 2025, delegates approved the creation of a global youth committee and the possibility of regional committees, expanding young workers' participation in IndustriALL's decision-making bodies.

Welcoming participants, IndustriALL assistant general secretary Christina Olivier said:

"The creation of youth structures is a symbolic gesture, but as a necessity. In a world marked by precarious employment, transformation and the climate crisis, organized youth structures ensure that young workers have a collective voice, the power to influence and the space to develop their leadership today."

Participants defined the committee's terms of reference, agreed on priorities for 2026 and discussed strategies to strengthen the visibility of trade union youth across the region. Isaac Vásquez Bejarano, from Fesitex Nicaragua, was appointed co-chair and will represent the region on the global youth committee:

"It was two days of hard work but we achieved everything we set out to do. We formed a working group to map how to achieve the goals we have as young people from Latin America and the Caribbean. We hope to see greater youth participation at regional and global levels, particularly from women and people from diverse backgrounds."

Tiara Amigorena, from CNTI in Argentina, was elected as the second co-chair:

"We are very proud because we believe this initiative expands the rights of young trade unionists. We are set for a lot of hard work to secure greater rights."

IndustriALL youth and projects officer Sarah Flores stressed that the committee is a means, not an end:

"Establishing this committee is a major step towards greater diversity and representativeness. However, it is merely a tool, not an end in itself. The challenge now will be to bring to life the proposals and strategies developed by its members, together with the affiliates in the region."