Short answers, pulled from the story.
The Building and Wood Workers' International emerged in 2005 from the unification of two predecessor unions. The International Federation of Building and Wood Workers merged with the World Federation of Building and Wood Workers to create a single global entity.
These 350 member groups collectively represent more than 12 million workers globally. Over 135 countries now host member organizations under the BWI umbrella.
Geneva serves as the permanent headquarters for the Building and Wood Workers' International. Strategic offices operate in Panama and Malaysia alongside locations in South Africa and India.
It holds Special Consultative Status before the Economic and Social Committee of the United Nations. This status allows representatives to participate in UN discussions affecting labor rights globally.
In October 2024 the organization filed a formal complaint against FIFA regarding migrant worker conditions. The grievance described what they termed an epidemic of abuses against employees in Saudi Arabia.