China's largest trade union federation has just concluded talks with fellow trade unions in three Caribbean countries – talks all sides say will improve ties between the world's largest trade union and its Caribbean counterparts.

The ACFTU and GAWU representatives after one of several meetings in Guyana. [Earl Bousquet/China.org.cn]

The All China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) sent a five-member top leadership delegation to Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago – the three largest member-states of the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

The regional tour by the Chinese delegation – which began in late November and ended in mid-December – came at a time when trade unions in all three Caribbean territories are seeking to strengthen their ties with the international working class movement, especially in the wake of the economic difficulties that have beset workers across the Caribbean.

With many companies reeling under economic pressure and workers losing jobs or not being paid better while prices rise, unions in Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago have also been appealing for more protective legislation and enforcement of greater compliance with labor laws.

The ACFTU delegation comprised Wang Ruisheng, vice-chair and national secretary; Chang Yimin, director of the Economic and Technological Department; Zhu Bin, deputy-director of the International Department; Chen Mingjian of the General Office; and Geng Jiamin of the International Department.

The ACFTU, which was founded on May 1, 1925, is the sole national trade union federation of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

It is the largest trade union in the world with 230 million members in 1,713,000 primary trade union organizations.

On their stop in Guyana, the ACFTU delegation was hosted by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), which is the oldest and largest trade union on this 83,012 square-mile (214,999 square-kilometer) territory with a population of 738,000.

During the four-day Guyana visit, the delegation met with the members of the leadership of GAWU, as well as the leadership of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG).

GAWU President, Komal Chand, praised the visit by the China unionists, saying, "The China delegation's visit has further strengthened relations between the trade union movement in Guyana and the ACFTU."