GA/AP/691, 13 June 1977
Geneva Meeting Ends with Approval of Anti-Apartheid Measures
Mandatory economic sanctions against South Africa, a ban on emigration and tourism to that country, and trade union actions to isolate "the racist regimes of South Africa and Rhodesia" were recommended on Saturday, 11 June by the Second International Conference of Trade Unions against Apartheid.
The two-day Conference at the Palais des Nations in Geneva ended after it unanimously adopted a resolution urging measures against apartheid to be taken by Governments, employer organizations and trade union organizations throughout the world.
The resolution calls on Governments to seek mandatory (Security Council) economic sanctions against South Africa, an effective arms embargo, and intensified anti-apartheid action by United Nations agencies. Governments also are asked to sever political, cultural, sport, commercial and diplomatic relations; prevent investment by withdrawing credit guarantees and licenses; stop emigration and tourism to South Africa; increase support to neighbouring African countries and to liberation movements; and to lift any impediments preventing unions from participating in sympathy actions in the anti-apartheid struggle.
A number of recommendations were made for action by international trade union organizations and the Organization of African Trade Union Unity and all trade union centres of the world. The Conference urged "maximum pressure, with recourse to industrial action on companies investing in South Africa which do not recognize African trade unions and act in contradiction with internationally recognized labour standards". It proposed trade union economic pressure against the white minority regimes "through a total boycott of airplanes, ships, mail and communications to and from South Africa, Namibia and Rhodesia". Financial and moral support to African trade unions, educational programmes and legal assistance to imprisoned trade unionists were also recommended…