Napoleón Gómez Urrutia
Napoleón Gómez Urrutia is a Mexican economist, labor leader, legislator, and author whose career has been defined by a lifelong commitment to social justice and the defense of workers’ rights.
He holds a degree in Economics from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), where he graduated with highest honors. He continued his academic training at the University of Oxford, earning a master’s degree and pursuing doctoral studies in economics.
His distinguished career in both the public and private sectors reflects a deep dedication to public service. He served as Director General of the Mexican Mint and held several leadership positions within the National Union of Mine, Metal, Steel, and Related Workers of the Mexican Republic. Since 2002, he has served as the union’s Secretary General, having been elected unanimously by its membership. He has forged important international alliances with organizations including IndustriALL Global Union, the AFL-CIO, and the United Steelworkers.
In 2018, Gómez Urrutia was elected to the Senate of the Republic, where he chaired the Labor and Social Welfare Committee and served on the Economy, Energy, Mining and Regional Development, and Foreign Relations committees. During his tenure, he championed landmark reforms, including the abolition of labor outsourcing practices and the expansion of paid vacation rights for Mexican workers.
He currently continues his service to the nation as a Federal Deputy.
Internationally recognized for his humanitarian work and steadfast advocacy of workers’ rights, Gómez Urrutia has received numerous distinctions, including the Meany-Kirkland Human Rights Award, Georgetown University’s Global Democracy Award, and the Arthur Svensson International Prize for Trade Union Rights. These honors reflect his decades-long commitment to social justice, democratic values, and the advancement of labor rights around the world.
Gómez Urrutia is also the author of several influential works, including The Collapse of Dignity (2014), Before the Next Revolution (2017), The Triumph of Dignity (2021), and A Revolution in Motion (2023).