Trade Union Forum

Declaration of the 14th BRICS Trade Union Forum (Brasilia, Brazil. April 23-24, 2025)

14th BRICS Trade Union Forum

Declaration

“Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”

1. Representatives of the national trade unions of the BRICS member countries met in Brasilia, Brazil, on April 23 and 24, 2025, at the 14th BRICS Trade Union Forum, under the motto “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance” and reaffirmed their commitments to defending workers' rights, promoting social justice and sustainable development, in line with the principles and objectives that led to the establishment of BRICS - in particular the defense of a more equitable, fair, just and democratic multipolar world order.

2. Recent geopolitical changes, such as the expansion of BRICS - a process that the Forum once again expresses its support for - and the growing strength of developing countries in the new world order, anticipate that the BRICS cooperation mechanism will further enhance the influence and voice of the member and partner countries, and propel the international order towards a more just and equitable direction.

3. This process emphasizes the need to strengthen the role of trade unions in global governance processes. Only with strong and active unions will it be possible to ensure decent work and a fair transition to a low-carbon economy. In addition, their role is key to promote and protect democracy, labor and human rights and fundamental freedoms - as well as to strengthen South-South cooperation based on solidarity, respect and mutual benefits.

4. The BRICS Trade Union Forum, considering the priorities of the Brazilian presidency of BRICS in 2025, supports the efforts of member countries to institutionally strengthen BRICS and boost cooperation among member and partner countries. We also highlight the importance of facilitating trade and investment between member and partner countries through efficient means of payment, as well as promoting inclusive and responsible governance of artificial intelligence in favor of sustainable development.

5. We also recognize the urgency of improving financing structures aimed at tackling climate change and support the effective progress of these discussions during COP 30, in Belem, Brazil, in November 2025. We reaffirm that tackling the climate crisis must necessarily promote a just transition - understood as a process that articulates the right to sustainable development, the energy transition with sovereignty and decent work with social protection and the guarantee of rights. Just transition that also involves, essentially, a significant effort to educate workers, provide social participation and provide citizenship education.

6. The Forum emphasizes that the current international scenario - marked by an economic model that concentrates wealth, increases inequality and does not effectively combat poverty - compromises the development of nations and penalizes the working class. This scenario is aggravated by unilateralism and protectionism, illegal unilateral coercive measures and unilateral economic sanctions, arbitrary trade taxes and tariffs.

7. We emphasize the importance of peaceful solutions to conflicts and humanitarian crises, as we consider peace an essential condition for the defense of labor rights and the interests of workers.

8. In this sense, the BRICS Trade Union Forum reaffirms the urgency of building a more inclusive, just, fair, multipolar and democratic international order, where the working class has an active voice in decision-making processes. We advocate the reform of the Bretton Woods institutions (IMF and World Bank) and the WTO, to make them more inclusive, transparent and effective. Global governance cannot be held hostage by hegemonic interests that perpetuate inequalities and social setbacks.

9. We support the expansion of BRICS financial mechanisms, such as the New Development Bank (NDB), to strengthen our economic responsiveness and reduce dependence on hegemonic financial systems. 

10. Within the framework of the International Labour Organization (ILO) - full and productive employment, fundamental principles and rights at work, minimum living wages, labor rights and social justice -, the BRICS Trade Union Forum reaffirms decent work as an essential pillar to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and promote sustainable development - with a special focus on women, young people, populations living in poverty, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, as well as informal and platform workers.

11. In view of precariousness, informality and the impact of new technologies, we advocate for strengthening the ILO in the protection of workers' fundamental rights, promoting fair wages, formalization of employment, working hours limits and ensuring health and safety in the workplace. Technological transformations cannot override workers' rights. It is essential to promote decent work in energy transition, in the various models of platform work and in the use of artificial intelligence.

12. We emphasize the importance of combating gender discrimination and promoting equal opportunities for women, ensuring their access to decent work, social protection and fair remuneration, as well as implementing policies that ensure their effective participation at all levels of decision-making.

13. We call on BRICS governments to strengthen global economic governance with a focus on full and high-quality employment, reducing inequalities and eliminating poverty. We reiterate the need for policies that drive high-quality economic development, public investment and a just transition to a low-carbon economy. While supporting decarbonization policies in general, we also note the danger of carbon tariffs being used as a means of trade war against developing countries. Industries of new forms of energy should make efforts to ensure decent employment, universal access and protection for workers.

14. We reiterate the decisions of the Sochi Declaration of the 13th BRICS Trade Union Forum (2024) to institutionalize the Forum as a permanent platform for dialogue and policymaking, to ensure that trade unions are present in BRICS decision­making forums.

15. We call on the BRICS governments to adopt concrete measures to include trade unions in the elaboration and implementation of public policies, promoting an effective and active social dialogue to face global challenges and achieve the multilateral goals of the 2030 Agenda of sustainable development.

16. We also highlight the importance of support from member country governments for the Global Pact for Social Justice, sustainable development and public and private policies against poverty and social inequalities in BRICS countries.

17. We call on the BRICS governments to foster exchanges among BRICS nations' trade unions on developmental pathways, to enhance cooperation in training and research among the trade unions of BRICS countries, and to promote innovation and usage of the digital intelligence within the unions, thereby better equipping them to confront the challenges posed by the new wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation to the trade unions of BRICS nations.

18. Finally, we extend our gratitude to the Brazilian trade unions for hosting the 14th Forum in Brasilia and express full support to the trade unions of (country) for holding the 15th BRICS Trade Union Forum in 2026.

Brasilia, April 24, 2025