19 November, 2009IMF mourns the loss of an indefatigable champion of workers' rights.
GLOBAL: The IMF is deeply saddened to learn of the demise of Neil Kearney, the General Secretary of the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers' Federation (ITGLWF). Kearney died of a heart attack in his sleep in the early hours of Thursday November 19 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Kearney was a brilliant and passionate defender of the rights of workers. He tirelessly advocated the end of sweatshop practices around the world, child labour in its worst forms and the terrible working conditions he saw throughout the developing world.
Kearney, 59, became the General Secretary of ITGLWF in 1988. Born in Donegal, Ireland, he started his trade union career with the Irish National Union of Tailors and Garment Workers in 1972. In 1998, he received the "Il Natale, La Notta della Vita" International Award for his work on the elimination of child labour worldwide. A year later, he received the "Work and Environment Award" of the Associazione Ambiente e Lavoro for his work to improve working conditions in the developing world.
The IMF mourns the loss of an indefatigable champion of workers' rights and expresses its deep condolences to Neil's family, friends and colleagues. "We have lost a courageous defender of the rights of workers worldwide, an effective organizer and a dear friend. I never stopped admiring Neil's energy and passion," said IMF General Secretary Jyrki Raina. "He will be sorely missed," he added.
He is survived by his wife, Jutta, and two daughters, Nicole and Caroline. Funeral arrangements are pending.