Regional Paper Sector Meeting Report: Advancing Sustainable Development Goals through Labour Action

Executive Summary

Regional and global leaders from the pulp and paper sector convened to address critical challenges and formulate strategies aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The meeting, hosted by the Argentinian paper workers’ federation, focused on safeguarding labour rights, promoting gender equality, and strengthening institutional partnerships. Discussions and outcomes were framed by a commitment to building sustainable and equitable conditions within the industry.

Upholding Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)

A central theme of the event was the protection of labour rights and the promotion of secure working environments, in direct alignment with SDG 8. Participants examined threats to decent work and coordinated responses.

• Challenges Identified:
  • Systematic attacks on the rights and gains of the Argentinian trade union movement by the national government.
  • Anti-union practices and assaults on collective bargaining agreements by major transnational corporations in the sector.
  • A challenging global political and economic context impacting labour stability.
• Strategic Responses:
  • Country-level reports detailed how workers are organizing politically and through trade unions to counter rights violations.
  • A solidarity rally was held at a factory gate to support the collective bargaining efforts of Argentinian paper workers.
  • A unified commitment was made to continue building trade union power to protect the rights of all paper workers in Latin America.

Advancing Gender Equality and Empowerment (SDG 5)

The meeting highlighted significant progress in promoting gender equality, a core component of SDG 5. A dedicated report on gender policies demonstrated tangible achievements in empowering women leaders within the sector.

• A comprehensive report on sectoral progress was presented by IndustriALL Vice President Lucineide Varjão.
• The formation of the Regional Network of Women Paper Workers was announced as a key milestone.
• The network’s inaugural meeting in April 2025 successfully produced a strategic action plan, formulated with the active participation of over 40 women leaders, an achievement noted by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Fostering Strong Institutions and Global Partnerships (SDG 16 & SDG 17)

The event underscored the importance of strong, just institutions and collaborative partnerships for achieving sustainable development. The proceedings reflected a commitment to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

• The collaborative nature of the meeting, uniting regional affiliates under the IndustriALL global union, exemplifies the spirit of SDG 17.
• Participants denounced the judicial persecution of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, framing it as a threat to the strong and just institutions required by SDG 16.
• The coordination of joint policies and actions across company and sectoral networks was identified as a key strategy to counter global capital and uphold workers’ rights.

Strategic Action Plan for Sustainable Development

The event concluded with the unanimous approval of a forward-looking action plan. This plan integrates SDG principles into concrete strategies for the sector.

1. Enhance Supply Chain Accountability: To strengthen the focus on supply chains, promoting responsible production and consumption (SDG 12) and ensuring fair labour practices throughout the value chain.
2. Empower Women Workers: To continue the development of the women’s group, ensuring full participation and equal leadership opportunities, directly advancing SDG 5.
3. Consolidate Trade Union Networks: To reinforce union networks within companies across the sector, strengthening the capacity for collective action to protect labour rights (SDG 8) and build effective partnerships (SDG 17).

SDGs Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • The article directly addresses this goal by highlighting gender policies within the paper workers’ sector. It specifically mentions the formation of the “Regional Network of Women Paper Workers,” its first meeting, and the creation of an action plan with the participation of “over 40 women leaders.” This demonstrates a clear effort to achieve gender equality and empower women within the industry’s trade union structures.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • This is a central theme of the article. The discussion revolves around the “relentless attacks on the rights and gains won by the Argentinian trade union movement,” “anti-union practices,” and “attacks on collective bargaining agreements.” The efforts of the unions to organize, rally, and coordinate policies are aimed at protecting labor rights and promoting a safe and secure working environment, which are core components of decent work.

3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • The article touches on this goal by discussing the need for strong and just institutions. The unions’ efforts to build “trade union power” and create “joint policies and actions” represent an attempt to build effective and inclusive institutions for workers. Furthermore, the denouncement of “judicial persecution” and the fight against “anti-union practices” relate to the promotion of the rule of law and the protection of fundamental freedoms, such as the freedom of association.

Specific Targets Identified

1. Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.

   • This target is identified through the article’s report on gender policies. The creation of the “Regional Network of Women Paper Workers” and the active participation of “over 40 women leaders” in drawing up an action plan are direct actions aimed at ensuring women’s participation and leadership in the economic and public life of the sector.

2. Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers…

   • The article’s core focus on countering “relentless attacks on the rights,” “anti-union practices,” and “attacks on collective bargaining agreements” directly aligns with this target. The rally at the factory gate and the development of an action plan are strategies specifically designed to protect the labor rights of paper workers.

3. Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.

   • This target is relevant because the freedom of association is a fundamental freedom. The article describes how this freedom is under threat from “anti-union practices” by transnational corporations. The unions’ organization and coordination are efforts to protect this fundamental freedom for workers.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Implied Indicator for Target 5.5: Proportion of women in leadership positions within trade union structures.

   • The article provides a specific data point that can be used as an indicator: the participation of “over 40 women leaders” in the first meeting of the Regional Network of Women Paper Workers. This number serves as a direct measure of progress in promoting women’s leadership within the regional union network.

2. Implied Indicator for Target 8.8: Level of national compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights.

   • The article implies a negative indicator through its repeated mention of “anti-union practices” and “attacks on collective bargaining agreements.” The frequency and nature of these reported incidents can be used as a qualitative indicator to measure the challenges in protecting labor rights. Conversely, the number of organized responses, such as rallies or approved action plans, can serve as a positive indicator of efforts to uphold these rights.

3. Implied Indicator for Target 16.10: Verified cases of persecution or attacks against trade unionists.

   • While not providing specific numbers, the article’s reference to “relentless attacks on the rights… of the Argentinian trade union movement” and the denouncement of “judicial persecution” imply the existence of such cases. These statements suggest that events are occurring that would be tracked by indicators measuring attacks on human rights advocates, including trade unionists.

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: industriall-union.org