In a stirring address at the 4th Federal Congress of the CCOO del Hábitat held from 22 to 24 April in Madrid, Building and Wood Workers' International (BWI) General Secretary Ambet Yuson underscored the urgent need for international solidarity in the face of rising authoritarianism and far-right extremism. He lauded the enduring support of CCOO del Hábitat and its Secretary General, Daniel Barragán, particularly for advancing BWI’s International Framework Agreements and improving labour standards in Spanish multinational operations. “The internationalist, class-based trade union movement is the strongest line of defence for workers,” Yuson asserted.

With the theme “Somos Sindicato, Somos Democracia” (We are Union, We are Democracy), the congress brought together 250 delegates and guests from across Europe and global union federations. Yuson addressed key global challenges, including exploitative labour practices in mega-sporting events, singling out FIFA’s decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia. He called on Spanish unionists to support BWI’s global campaign for workers’ rights and justice for victims, reminding them of a recent stadium worker’s death whose family is still awaiting compensation.

On the issue of climate change, Yuson underscored heat stress as a growing workplace hazard, particularly in construction. He commended Spanish unions for establishing life-saving protocols now being replicated globally. In anticipation of International Workers’ Memorial Day on April 28, he urged delegates to uphold workers' rights to combat deadly dust and extreme heat at work, demand protective measures, and secure compensation for those affected.

The congress also marked the reelection of Daniel Barragán as Secretary General of CCOO del Hábitat. In his renewed mandate, Barragán pledged a clear focus on improving working conditions, particularly in confronting precarious and unstable employment; increasing wages to reflect the true value of workers’ contributions; and advancing the reduction of weekly working hours as part of a more humane and sustainable work-life balance agenda.

The event featured strong support from top Spanish public officials, including the Minister of Housing, the Secretary of State for Labour, and the Minister for Youth and Children, Sira Rego. Rego highlighted the importance of inter-generational organising and lauded the federation’s tireless and innovative efforts on energy transition, equality, and job security, undersccoring the union’s key role in shaping a fairer and more sustainable future. Yuson concluded with a powerful defence of democratic and trade union rights, citing global threats from Myanmar to the US, and calling for peace in conflict zones such as Palestine and Ukraine. Echoing the congress’s theme, he affirmed: “Somos Sindicato, Somos Democracia — the fight for trade union rights, democracy, and peace is one and the same. A fight of one is a fight of all.”