UGL (General Union of Labor), founded in 1950, is one of the largest trade union confederations in
Italy, with 2.3 million members. It stands out because its vision offers a third way. It stands out
because its vision is a third way.
The SOCIALISTS, the left, advocated for a class struggle that caused significant damage, divisions,
and crimes, and ultimately failed miserably with the fall of the Berlin Wall. Then they shifted their
focus to address minorities, particularly sexual ones. Nowadays, they talk less about workers’ rights
and more about minority rights.
The LIBERALS have devised the globalization that has led to increased inequality and rights
violations worldwide. The rich are getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer. 1% of the
population owns the majority of the world’s wealth. According to the OXFAM Report released at
the Davos Economic Forum, the eight richest people in the world possess the same wealth as the
poorest half of the global population, which is 4 billion people. Additionally, 8 million people die
each year from hunger, and just as many from treatable and untreated diseases.
At UGL, we believe that open and constructive collaboration between employers and workers can
lead to better outcomes for both parties. We reject the notion of a constant clash between capital and labor, and instead strive to build relationships based on mutual trust and shared common goals. We defend the role of capital as long as it serves a social function and contributes to the well-being and growth of society as a whole. We strive to balance economic and social interests to promote sustainable development that considers the well-being of all citizens.
We support the active participation of workers in company management and the sharing of
company profits.
In simple terms, the worker would become a partner by participating in both the management and
the profits of the company.
Mr. Gian Luigi Ferretti
Head of International Relations
Unione Generale del Lavoro ( General Labour Union), Italy
UGL’s “third way” vision echoes the deeply rooted values of India’s own civilizational wisdom and the philosophical foundations of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS). Like UGL, BMS has consistently rejected the extremes of class conflict promoted by the Left and the unrestrained individualism of global capitalism. Instead, it upholds Samanvay—the Indian principle of harmony and integration—as the path forward.
Our traditions teach us that society functions best when every stakeholder performs their duty with mutual respect and a sense of collective responsibility. This is reflected in the concept of ‘Saha-karya’—working together. Workers are not instruments of production, but co-creators in the economic process. The idea of involving workers as active participants in management and profit-sharing is not new to Indian thought—it aligns with the age-old principle of ‘Shramik ko samman’ (dignity of labor) and ‘Lok Kalyan’ (welfare of all).
UGL’s emphasis on social function of capital and equitable growth is refreshing in a global discourse increasingly hijacked by polarizing ideologies. It’s time we all revisit our indigenous roots to rebuild systems based on trust, duty, and collaboration—not just transactions and conflicts. In that sense, UGL and BMS speak the same language, though from different continents.
This dialogue of ideas across cultures is not only welcome—it is essential.