Milestones in IMF history

In 1957, the IMF opened an office in Tokyo for the Japanese metalworkers' unions.

In 1960 the IMF opened its Latin America office, now in Montevideo, Uruguay.

In 1966, the first meeting of the World Company Councils for the automobile industry was held in Detroit, USA. Today, Company Council meetings are held as the need arises.

In 1969, the first IMF regional office opened in New Delhi, India.

In 1982, two white South African affiliates were expelled. The IMF was fully committed to supporting the new independent trade unions in South Africa. This support was strengthened with the opening of a new IMF office in Johannesburg in 1984.

In 1991, the IMF Central Committee decided to admit trade unions from Central and Eastern Europe as affiliates.

In 1993, a 100-point Action Programme was adopted at the IMF Centenary Congress in Zurich, Switzerland.

In 1998 the IMF opened a regional office for Southeast Asia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

In 2001, the 30th IMF Congress was held in Sydney, Australia. A new Action Programme for 2002-2005 was adopted.

In 2002, the IMF signed its first International Framework Agreement in the auto industry with Volkswagen.

In 2005, the IMF Congress adopted changes to the IMF Rules, increasing the participation of women in IMF structures, and updating the Action Programme.

In 2002-2003, the IMF and its affiliates successfully campaigned for the release of imprisoned Korean trade unionists.

In 2006, the IMF launched an international solidarity campaign in support of the Mexican miners' union.