The ancient but beautiful city of Bogota, capital of Colombia hosted the 2nd Congress of Trade Union International (Pensioners & Retirees) on 27-28 February, 2019. Colombian Pensioners Organization (OCP) , Bogota was the organizer and made excellent arrangements for receiving the delegates from various countries, transportation to the hotel for accommodation and very good venue, food etc and the volunteer service worth mentioning.

At the inaugural session Ms.Alicia Arango , Colombian Labour Minister was the centre of attraction, as severe criticism was made by Com.Antonia Ferero, President, OCP against the Colombian government for the murder of 34 trade union leaders and no proper enquiry or arrest of the culprits. The failure of the Colombian government to settle the 7 month old agitation of women workers in the textile manufacturing sector was also exposed. The Minister tried to justify the government narrating the action taken on the issues but was confronted repeatedly by the Colombian delegates.

The detailed reports of Coms. Dimos Koumpouris , President and Quim Boix, General Secretary were presented. The reports of the Financial Commission and Technical & Research Committee were also submitted. 60 international delegates, representing 20 countries along with some among the 90 delegates from Colombia enthusiastically participated in the discussion and of course more delegates from Colombia given opportunity being the host country. Coms.KKN Kutty , Secretary General, NCCPA, K G Jayaraj, General Secretary, AIBDPA and K Raghavendran, General Secretary, AIPRPA consisted the Indian delegation and spoke on the first day itself.  The discussion of delegates from all the 19 countries were almost similar on pension reforms and cut in social expenditure. An entirely different speech was that of Com.Xierura Enrigus of Cuba who reported that the Cuban government is taking measures for improved and decent living conditions for the elders and substantial periodical increase in pension is being given  .  The President and General Secretary spoke on the issues raised in the discussion and presented the draft for expansion of the organisation to more countries and action plan for the future.

Resolutions on various issues, particularly on imperialist intervention to over throw the democratically elected Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and attack on Colombian trade union leaders and immediate settlement of the women workers agitation were adopted unanimously.

The new set of office bearers were elected unanimously with Com.Dimos Koumpouris from Spain (President) and Com. Quim Boix of Greece (General Secretary).

Com.K G Jayaraj was elected to the Executive Board and Com. KKN Kutty , Member of Financial Control Commission and Com.K.Raghavendran, Member of Technical & Research Committee.

The congress decided to intensify the struggle against the attack on pension and for a universal pension scheme for all.

The successful congress was concluded  with all the participants singing the international song.