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The international trade union movement is in deepest mourning at the sudden loss of Luis Anderson, General Secretary of the ICFTU Regional Organization for the Americas, ORIT. Anderson, aged 62, passed away on Saturday 15 November at his office in Caracas, Venezuela.

"Luis Anderson's life and his work stand as an inspiration to every trade unionist, and we are profoundly saddened at his loss. He leaves an extraordinary legacy of dedication to social justice, equality and the rights of working people in the Americas and around the world. His many achievements over four decades of trade union work, his personal warmth and his insights into complex and challenging issues facing working people will be remembered for a great many years to come," said ICFTU General Secretary Guy Ryder. "He was a friend and a colleague whose courage, dignity and personal warmth never failed to impress all those who met him."

Luis Anderson was born in Colon, Panama, on 9 February 1941. After qualifying as an electrician, welder and technician, he joined the Panamanian trade union movement in 1962, and was elected General Secretary of the ICFTU-ORIT in 1983. Following a period as Minister of Labor of Panama, he resumed as ORIT General Secretary in 1986, and represented the ICFTU and ICFTU-ORIT in a wide range of high-level regional and international events. He served for eight years as a member of the Panama Canal Commission, and received numerous awards and commendations for his work.

Luis is survived by his wife Deus, their two children, and four children from his previous marriage.

Messages of condolence to his family and his colleagues may be forwarded to the ICFTU: internetpo@icftu.org


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