OTTAWA, April 22 - The Canadian Labour Congress welcomes the presence in Canada of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. "As Canadians, citizens and workers, the upbeat and successful journey of the Dalai Lama across our country, shed new light on the values we hold dear and on the need for everyone of us to have the strength to be true to them," says Ken Georgetti, president of the Canadian Labour Congress and a member of the Committee of Advisors of the 2004 Visit to Canada of the Dalai Lama.

On Friday, April 23, in Ottawa, the Canadian Labour Congress will host a lunch for His Holiness and the Committee of Advisors, before proceeding to discussions about the challenges facing the Tibetan people. "I intend to ask questions about the conditions of workers in Tibet and inquire about ways the Canadian Labour Congress could help workers' organizations in Tibet," says Georgetti.

"I've had the opportunity to visit China twice and seen for myself some of the conditions for workers in that country. The Canadian Labour Congress has been involved for several years with a modest project to improve the health and safety conditions of young workers in the special economic zone of Shenzhen. And we consistently work in support of the efforts of those in Hong Kong who defend the principle of freedom of association."

"We have been critical of the Canadian government's dialogue with China as we believe it has nothing to show with respect to improvement of human rights in general or workers' rights in particular," explains Georgetti.

The Canadian Labour Congress, the national voice of the labour movement, represents 2.5 million Canadian workers. The CLC brings together Canada's national and international unions along with the provincial and territorial federations of labour and 137 district labour councils. Web site: www.clc-ctc.ca

For further information: Jean Wolff, 613-526-7431 and 613-798-6040; Jeff Atkinson, 613-526-7425 and 613-292-1413, communications@clc-ctc.ca