To honour trade union affiliates and individual members who have demonstrated outstanding achievements and commitment in promoting labour rights, gender equality, democracy, climate justice and social change, the Building and Woodworkers’ International (BWI) has recently launched the BWI “Power to the People” Awards. 

The 2022 BWI Awards aim to celebrate the exemplary work of BWI affiliates and/or individual members worldwide and highlight exceptional examples of trade union struggles and victories against overarching system challenges.

BWI is currently accepting nominations in three (3) categories: 

• Fair Games: In recognition of the organisation, individual or group of individuals or of organisations that can best demonstrate an outstanding commitment in the fight against the exploitation and abuse of construction workers, many of whom are migrant workers, in the building of mega-sporting events. 

• Climate Justice: Will be awarded to the organisation, individual or group of working people or organisations that have devoted their militancy on the ground with dedication and persistence to achieve concrete results for workers and their communities to advance workers’ protections against the climate crisis and for climate justice.

• Rights for All: For those who have shown exceptional commitment in the struggle for democracy, peace and human rights, and against submission to force that sometimes come with personal sacrifices.

Each of the award is dedicated to the life and legacy of esteemed BWI leaders who have passed on. The Fair Games Award is in honour of Jin Sook Lee, BWI’s former Global Campaigns Director, who passed away in 2020, while the Climate Justice Award celebrates the memory of Mohd Khalid bin Atan, former president of the Timber Employees Union Peninsular Malaysia (TEUPM) and the Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC), who died in 2016. 

A BWI independent Jury will evaluate all entries and decide on the Laureate based on unanimity. The Jury will shortlist three finalists for each category and select one winner for each category. The Laureate of the Awards will be presented at the BWI Congress on 5-7 October 2022.

BWI will accept nominations until 1 August, 2022. 

source: BWI