Brussels, 23 November 2018 (ITUC OnLine): Over 1,200 trade unionists from more than 130 countries will gather at the Bella Center in Copenhagen, Denmark, from 2 - 7 December for the 4th International Trade Union Confederation World Congress, which takes place every four years. The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) is the largest democratic organisation in the world representing 207 million workers and 331 national trade union centres. The 2018 theme is "Building Workers' Power: Change the Rules".

The opening ceremony takes place at 16:00 on Sunday 2 December and includes addresses from the Prime Minister of Denmark Lars Løkke Rasmussen; the Lord Mayor of Copenhagen Frank Jensen; International Labour Organization Director-General Guy Ryder; LO-Denmark President Lizette Risgaard; and ITUC President João Antonio Felicio.

The address by ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow outlining the state of the world for working people and the findings of the ITUC Frontlines Poll 2018 will take place in the Congress plenary on Monday 3 December.

Four debates to shape the future policies of the ITUC will take place under the themes of Peace, Democracy and Rights; Regulating Economic Power; Global Shifts – Just Transitions; and Equality.

Congress delegates will visit Sweden on Wednesday 3 December, hosted by LO and TCO Sweden, to see the regeneration of Malmö and refugee integration.

Delegates will also discuss organising campaigns in multinational companies including Samsung and Amazon; organising in the informal sector; government action plans to address inequality including the gender pay gap; minimum living wage and social protection; climate action; and the future of work. The Congress will hold a public vote for the worst boss in the world. Five-year trend data from the ITUC's Global Rights Index will be announced based on violations recorded from 2013 - 2018.

The Congress will adopt an ITUC policy and action plan for the coming four years.