Corneel Mertens

Born in the St Andrey area of Antwerp, Mertens became a bookbinder, and taught himself to speak several languages.

He proved successful in the role, and in 1911 moved to become the full-time secretary of the Belgian National Trade Union Centre.

[2] As a trade union leader, he focused on achieving an eight-hour working day, forming joint industrial committees with employers, and opposing communism.

[3] After World War I, Mertens was elected as a vice president of the International Federation of Trade Unions, and served on its executive committee.

[1] He retired from his trade union posts shortly before World War II, but remained a senator until 1949.