ITUC Special Commission

ITUC Special Commission

On 13 January, the 29th meeting of the ITUC General Council finalised the terms of reference to establish a Special Commission “to investigate the circumstances surrounding the allegations against Luca Visentini, including the results of the external audit, and other matters including ITUC financial rules and procedures, conduct of elections and related issues.”

At the request of the ITUC Special Commission, the ITUC is releasing the following statement attributable to ITUC Special Commission Chair Eva Nordmark:

“After weeks of preparatory and exploratory tasks, the ITUC Special Commission convened its first formal meeting on 7 February. At this meeting, we reviewed the scope of our mandate as outlined in the terms of reference, heard initial reports, and charted the course of our work for the weeks ahead.

The Commission has already met with the Trade Union Delegation representing ITUC staff and with all available staff to brief them on the process and ensure them of our commitment to them and their extraordinary work.

The audit secretariat has informed us that an audit firm has been selected that meets all requirements under Belgian law and has capacity to conduct all forms of investigation required. We look forward to receiving and reviewing the audit in the process of completing our own report, scheduled to be delivered to the ITUC General Council on 11 March.

Given the generous cooperation we have so far received from external experts, affiliated organisations, and from within ITUC, we are confident that we can conduct this process with the utmost independence and integrity. It is paramount that we do so, because the corruption alleged is a threat to the fundamental values of democracy, justice and solidarity which the trade union movement stands for.

For more information, we are enclosing details on the composition of the Special Commission as well as the Terms of Reference that guide our work.”

https://www.ituc-csi.org/IMG/pdf/composition_of_ituc_special_commission.pdf?

https://www.ituc-csi.org/IMG/pdf/special_commission_tor_final_-_en.pdf?

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https://www.ituc-csi.org/ituc-special-commission?

Special Commission of the ITUC General Council Terms of Reference

In line with the ITUC’s constitution which refers to “the highest standards of democratic governance,  transparency and accountability”, the ITUC General Council has appointed a special commission to  consider the circumstances of the General Secretary’s suspension and donations to the ITUC.

The Commission, comprised of former leading figures from the international trade union movement and independent experts with relevant expertise, chosen for their experience and commitment to the international trade union movement, is established to:

1. Examine the circumstances and events that led to the suspension of the General Secretary.

2. Examine whether ITUC policies or practices on Morocco or Qatar were influenced by donations received.

3. Examine whether there have been any links between the ITUC and the NGOs Fight Impunity and No Peace without Justice.

4. Examine campaign financing and other rules regarding the election of the General Secretary and other ITUC officers in the most recent and earlier elections.

5. Examine whether other senior ITUC officials were aware of and/or facilitated third party interference to favour one GS candidate over the other.

6. Examine what conditionalities donors to ITUC Congresses have imposed on the use of donations

7. Examine whether the election of the General Secretary was compromised by election campaign financing issues/by third party interference in the form of funding.

8. Review the audit report prepared by the ITUC’s external auditors following its consideration by the ITUC’s Internal Auditors and legal advice.

9. Provide the General Council with recommendations on any modifications to the ITUC’s rules, statutes and procedures, including with respect to the acceptance of funds and the conduct of campaigns for election to ITUC positions.

10. Provide the General Council with information to allow the General Council to decide on next steps regarding the position of the ITUC General Secretary.

The ITUC secretariat shall provide all relevant information required by the Commission in order to fulfil its mandate, bearing in mind any legal considerations.

Any travel, accommodation, interpretation and administrative expenses required for the Commission to carry out its work shall be borne by the ITUC.

The Commission shall provide its report and recommendations to the next meeting of the ITUC General Council, in mid-March