GENEVA (ACTRAV INFO) – The Workers’ Group in the Governing Body of the  International Labour Organization (ILO) paid tribute this Monday to trade unionist Marc Blondel, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 75.

A minute’s silence in his memory was observed by the worker delegates taking part in the 320th Governing Body session, currently being held in Geneva.

“We are deeply saddened, and we are grateful for all that he did for the ILO,” declared Luc Cortebeeck, who chairs the Workers’ Group on the ILO Governing Body. “Marc Blondel always defended the ILO and the workers’ cause all over the world. “He constantly fought for recognition of the workers’ role in social dialogue,” Luc Cortebeeck added, recalling “the historic role that Marc Blondel played in developments in Poland, through his support for the Solidarność trade union and respect for its freedom of association.
“In the name of the Workers’ Group,” Luc Cortebeeck continued, “we thank Marc Blondel, and we are also thinking of his family and friends at this time. He was and remains an example to us all.”

The CGT-Force ouvrière delegate and Governing Body member Yves Veyrier recalled Marc Blondel’s insistence on respect for ILO Conventions 87 and 98 on freedom of association and collective bargaining. “Marc Blondel was a symbol,” he said. “He embodied the values of freedom and solidarity, and he was deeply attached to the ILO’s values, particularly Conventions 87 and 98.“Marc Blondel will always be remembered as a rebellious trade unionist, including at the ILO, where he used to call the International Labour Conference a Trade Union Babel where 3,000 delegates came to discuss issues surrounding the world of work.”

To Anna Biondi, Deputy Director of the Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ILO-ACTRAV), Marc Blondel will remain an “inspiration” for trade unionists in their mission to defend workers’ rights. “The passing of Bro. Blondel deeply saddens the ILO and ACTRAV,” she said, “as he devoted great efforts to securing respect for freedom of association worldwide. He always emphasized what an honour it was for the trade unions to represent the workers in the ILO and defend their rights within the tripartite framework that the ILO embodies. His departure is a great loss to us all, but he will live on as an inspiration to the trade unions.”

Formerly General Secretary of the CGT-Force ouvrière trade union (1989-2004), Marc Blondel was a member of the ILO Governing Body from 1981 to 1993, and was then re-elected in 1996. He was the spokesperson of the ILO Programme, Financial and Administrative Committee (PFA) and the Workers’ Vice-President at the 2007 International Labour Conference. Marc Blondel retired from the ILO in 2008.

For more information, please contact:

Mamadou Kaba Souare, Communications Officer, ILO Bureau for Workers’ Activities- Geneva,
+41 22 799 74 08, souare@ilo.org