Background on Key Figures and Relevance
Inés González, the Secretary of Labor and Employment Promotion (STyFE) in Mexico City, recently participated in the International Trade Union Conference on Work and Sport organized by the International Confederation of Woodworkers (ICM). This conference brought together labor leaders to discuss the challenges and ensure fair labor practices for mega-sports projects, specifically focusing on the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico.
Who’s Who
- Inés González: Secretary of Labor and Employment Promotion (STyFE) in Mexico City, responsible for overseeing labor policies and employment initiatives.
- International Confederation of Woodworkers (ICM): A global union federation representing workers in the wood, forestry, and allied industries. Its Mexican affiliate is the Confederation Internacional de Trabajadores (CIT).
- Raimundo Ribeiro: President of the ICM Regional Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean, advocating for workers’ rights in sports-related mega-projects.
- Gail Cartmail: Global Vice President of the ICM, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to improving labor conditions and ensuring fair treatment for workers involved in World Cup construction projects.
Conference Highlights and Key Points
During the conference, González stressed that all construction projects related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, particularly in Mexico City, must respect workers’ rights. She acknowledged that many jobs would be temporary but pledged to work towards making them permanent and free from precarity.
González highlighted the importance of dialogue between stakeholders to ensure labor rights are upheld, stating that legal action would be taken if necessary. She also mentioned the formation of an inter-institutional committee with sports authorities to guarantee dignified, legal, and lasting employment opportunities.
Conference participants emphasized that sports, including football, are forms of work, and the construction of stadiums should be organized, rights-based, and protected. Raimundo Ribeiro, ICM’s Regional Committee President for Latin America and the Caribbean, underscored the need for consistent and united efforts to secure lasting legacies for workers and their communities.
Gail Cartmail, ICM’s Global Vice President, praised the gathering in Mexico City of labor leaders and highlighted the organization’s ongoing efforts to improve working conditions through global actions. The ICM advocates for fair and decent games while consistently defending workers’ rights in stadium construction projects.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Who is Inés González, and what is her role?
A: Inés González is the Secretary of Labor and Employment Promotion (STyFE) in Mexico City, responsible for overseeing labor policies and employment initiatives. - Q: What is the International Confederation of Woodworkers (ICM), and what is its Mexican affiliate?
A: The ICM is a global union federation representing workers in the wood, forestry, and allied industries. Its Mexican affiliate is the Confederation Internacional de Trabajadores (CIT). - Q: What are the main concerns discussed at the International Trade Union Conference on Work and Sport?
A: The conference focused on ensuring fair labor practices for mega-sports projects, specifically addressing the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico. - Q: What commitments have been made regarding workers’ rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup construction projects?
A: Mexico City’s STyFE, in collaboration with sports authorities and labor unions, has pledged to ensure dignified, legal, and lasting employment opportunities free from precarity.
