A DEAL to recognise the United Voices of the World (UVW) was signed today with a support centre for pro-Palestine activists.

UVW general secretary Petros Elia hailed the agreement with the European Legal Support Centre (ELSC) as “another important step forward for those working to defend rights and freedoms across Europe.”

The UVW said the deal represented a “strong alignment of values” with the legal defence centre.

Mr Elia said: “Our union has been clear and consistent in standing for justice and solidarity, and in its support for Palestinians, and it’s significant to see that reflected in workplaces like ELSC.

“People in this sector dedicate their lives to supporting others, and they deserve dignity, respect and a meaningful say in their own workplaces.

“We welcome the constructive approach taken by the European Legal Support Centre and look forward to building a strong relationship based on cooperation, fairness and mutual trust.”

ELSC advocacy and communications manager and UVW member Tasnima, who did not give her surname, said the successful union recognition “marks not an exception, but a standard that should exist for all workers: the right to organise, collectively bargain, and increased job security.”

She added: “At the European Legal Support Centre, we see this recognition as a meaningful affirmation of what workers already know in practice, that only through organising can power be shifted.

“Recognition is one step, but a necessary one, in strengthening our collective rights as workers.”

It follows recent UVW agreements across the NGO and charity sectors, including with child refugee defence organisation Safe Passage International.

The union said these agreements highlight an increase in interest for building union power and improving standards across in “values-driven organisations.”