INTEGRATE THIS! Bertha Lujan

Bertha Lujan (Bertha Elena Lujan Uranga)

…As a trade unionist and social activist

Graduated as an Accountant from the Autonomous University of Chihuahua. She was on the University Council and was a member of the Students and Faculty Accounting and Administration Society.

Did further study at the Training Institute of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Turin, Italy, as well as at the University of Latin American Workers in San Antonio de los Altos, Venezuela.

Participated in the founding and organization in Chihuahua of the Peoples’ Solidarity Front and the Peoples’ Defence Committee.

Active member of the Authentic Work Front (FAT) since 1970. She was part of the National Coordination at various times and had as part of her responsibility at different moments the areas of Finances, Training, National Organizing of Activists, and the Cooperatives and Self Managed Enterprises sectors.

Member of the Board of Directors for several NGOs and Civic Associations such as Vamos Foundation, AUNA-Mexico, CELAG, Foundation for Democracy, Citizen Power, and Citizen Movement for Democracy.

Co-Founder and national coordinator for the Mexican Action Network on Free Trade (RMALC) - a coalition of over 100 organizations as well as professionals and academics from all over Mexico – until the year 2000.

Participated in the organizing of the Hemispheric Social Alliance.

Participated in networks related to APEC and to the cooperation agreement between European Economic Community and Mexico.

Written periodically for the La Jornada newspaper as well as providing material for newspapers, magazines and books on themes ranging from labour and trade union questions, work in the Maquilas, women workers, to subjects like globalization, free trade and the social agenda.

From 2000 to 2006 Bertha was Controller General for Mexico City.

…As Minister of Labour in the Legitimate Government of Mexico

As Minister of Labour Bertha Lujan is in charge of the Labour and Trade Union agenda which includes the following five major components:

Labour Policy reform and modernization

Strengthening the Judicial system as it relates to Labour

Salary Policy

Employment and training

New International focus (including re-negotiation of Labour Chapter of NAFTA, promoting codes of conduct for transnationals, migrant workers)