Giannis Panagopoulos, a Greek trade unionist and long-standing president of the Greek Confederation of Labour – GSEE, has been accused of embezzling €2 million intended for training. A further €70 million is under investigation at the INE GSEE (Greek trade union research institute) during his presidency, where it ended up in the hands of unknown companies.
This is not the first time that a pro-employer European and global trade union leader has been charged with corruption. In 2022, Italian trade unionist Luca Visentini, former ETUC and ITUC General Secretary, was charged with corruption, with Qatar attempting to prevent the European Parliament from investigating the Gulf state’s treatment of foreign workers employed in the construction of World Cup stadiums.
These trade unionists represent the political and trade union elite who promote class cooperation and social peace. They have never grappled with the real conditions of the working class, yet have made careers in the international trade union movement, collaborating with the organs of the class enemy, such as the European Commission and the European Parliament.
