WFTU International Action Day – 3 October 2026

 

“United in Action and Struggle, We Demand!”

Bruhaspati Samal

General Secretary 

Confederation of Central Govt Employees and Workers

Odisha State CoC, Bhubaneswar 

Every year on 3 October, workers and trade unions across the world observe the International Action Day of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), commemorating the historic founding of the organisation. This year’s Action Day carries a powerful message: “United in action and struggle, we demand!” The WFTU calls for science and technology in the service of humanity and not of monopolies and the oligarchy of wealth; work with rights for the satisfaction of contemporary needs; and an economy for progress and not for war and destruction. 

The WFTU was founded in Paris on 3 October 1945, soon after the end of the Second World War. Its founding congress brought together representatives of 67 million workers from 56 national organisations from 55 countries and 20 international organisations. Born in the historic struggle against fascism and war, the WFTU sought to unite workers internationally for peace, social justice, democratic and trade-union rights and a better future for humanity. 

For more than eight decades, the WFTU has developed as an international trade-union organisation based on unity, solidarity, independence, collective action and the defence of workers’ rights. Its stated objectives include combating exploitation and oppression, defending full employment and social security, improving working and living conditions, protecting trade-union freedoms, promoting equality and opposing war and aggression. 

The theme of 2026 is especially relevant in an age of artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, digitalisation and platform-based employment. Technological progress has enormous potential to improve human life, but the WFTU argues that its benefits should not be concentrated in the hands of a few. Instead, increased productivity should contribute to decent employment, higher wages, shorter working hours, occupational safety, universal healthcare, education and social security. The WFTU is particularly demanding a 35-hour working week and seven-hour working day without reduction of wages. 

On this International Action Day, the message to workers everywhere is clear: our greatest strength is our unity and collective organisation. Whether in factories, offices, farms, transport, education, healthcare, postal services, platforms or public institutions, workers share a common interest in dignity, security and justice at work. Divided workers remain vulnerable; organised workers can defend their rights and shape the future.

Let 3 October 2026 become a day of international workers’ solidarity—a day to raise our voices for decent work, social security, peace and human dignity. Let technology serve people, let progress serve society, and let the wealth created by workers contribute to a better life for all.

Long live international workers’ solidarity!
Long live the unity of the working class!

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