Colombia’s largest labor union has cheered the election of Briton Guy Ryder as the new head of the United Nations workers’ rights organization on Tuesday.
Colombia’s Confederation of Workers’ (CUT) supported Ryder as the new president of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) over Colombian Vice President Angelino Garzon, who lost to Ryder in the second-to-last round of ballots.
“The ex-trade unionist and now director of the ILO has stated the importance of progress in the unity of organized labor, with autonomy and with respect for pluralism,” CUT said in a statement.
Ryder “has all the qualities and experience needed to lead the ILO, ensuring that decent work and social justice will be central elements of his administration,” the statement said.
The British candidate was the founding general secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), which has 175 million members.
“This is a tremendous opportunity, in the middle of this global crisis, to make a difference to the lives of millions of people, including those who never heard of the ILO, to change their lives for the better,” Ryder said in a statement following the announcement of election results.
