In memory of Arlette Puraye: A true global union leader

It is with great sadness that we report the death of our colleague and friend Arlette Puraye of CNE, Belgium.

Arlette was President of UNI Europa but also a member of the UNI World Executive Committee and the UNI Europa Executive Committee.

She has been a leading advocate for women in the North Africa and Middle East region and was part of the delegation that went to Tunisia after the revolution to help set up the UNI Tunisia women’s network. Arlette was also a great mentor to Marie Buard of CFDT, France, who was the first mentee to become a member of the UNI Global Union Executive Committee.

Despite all her trade union responsibilities in Belgium as President of the CNE from 1991 to 2016, she never stopped being a big sister in solidarity with women around the world. She was always ready to help, encourage and support women other unions and other countries around the world.

With Arlette’s death, an admirable activist is leaving, and her passing is an enormous loss for the world trade union movement.

We extend our deepest condolences to Arlette’s family and to our affiliate the CNE.