Published: 8 Aug 2010
Randall Howard, first African president of the International Transport Workers' Federation calls for the global union to grow its ability to provide effective solidarity to ensure basic universal human and trade union rights are respected.
The ITF president also acknowledged the historic election of Sharan Burrow as General Secretary of the International Trade Union Congress and called for more ITF women to step forward to leadership positions.
He launched a strong attack on the global financial markets, calling for stricter regulation to stop greed and exorbitant executive salaries.
"This crisis has vindicated those who have consistently argued that the free market left to its own device will devour itself," he said.
The outgoing president also called for the ITF presidency to be enhanced and for future presidents to play a more political role in building and profiling the organisation and greater shared responsibilities.
Download the full speech here.
