Henri Pauwels (19 January 1890 – 18 September 1946) was a Belgian trade unionist and politician.

Born in Nivelles, Pauwels became a mechanic, and joined Christian Union of Belgian Metalworkers (CCMB), becoming a technical adviser in 1912. The CCMB was affiliated to the Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (ACV), and Pauwels became its deputy general secretary in 1919, then general secretary in 1921. In 1932, he became the confederation's president.[1][2] From 1933 to 1937, he was additionally co-president of the International Federation of Christian Trade Unions.

In 1945, despite not being a member of Parliament, Pauwels was appointed as the Minister for War Victims. In December, he travelled to the Belgian Congo, his presence leading to the formation of the ACV-Congo. In September, he was killed in a plane crash in Newfoundland.[1][2]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "HENRI PAUWELS". ODIS. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  2. ^ a b Christian Trade Unionists Conference. St. James Encyclopedia of Labor History Worldwide: Major Events in Labor History and Their Impact. 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
Trade union offices
Preceded by
Evarist Van Quaquebeke
General Secretary of the Confederation of Christian Trade Unions
1921–1932
Succeeded by
August Cool
Preceded by
René Debruyne
President of the Confederation of Christian Trade Unions
1932–1946
Succeeded by
August Cool
Preceded by President of the International Federation of Christian Trade Unions
1933–1937
With: Jules Zirnheld
Succeeded by