Pakistani workers win wage raise after strike
After striking for a month, power loom workers in Pakistan have secured a win by signing an agreement with the employer on wage increases, contributions to social security and improved health and safety.
Madagascar’s revised mining code must include workers’ and human rights
Unions in Madagascar are concerned that the mining code – the country’s legal framework for mining development – is silent on workers’ and human rights. Revising the mining code provides the government with the opportunity to include the creation of decent jobs, protection of workers’ rights including for women miners, living wages, social dialogue, and social protection.
Asia Pacific cement unions focus on organizing and gender equality
Organizing precarious workers into unions and realizing gender equality in the cement sector is the way forward, say IndustriALL affiliates in Asia Pacific.
South Asian shipbreaking workers prepare for recycling boom
South Asian shipbreaking unions are preparing an organizing drive to take advantage of the expected recycling boom.
Workers in South Africa strike for living wages
Tens of thousands of workers marched across the country’s cities and towns on 24 August for living wages and to protest deteriorating socio-economic conditions. Unions say the cost of living is high, electricity supply unreliable and expensive, while service delivery by national and local government is erratic.
Unions in India protest changes in labour laws
Yesterday and today, unions in Visakhapatnam rallied against the country’s new labour laws. Union leaders submitted a memorandum to the district administration after the rally, raising concerns over the new labour codes which attempt to weaken workers’ rights while promoting companies’ interests.
ILO rules HICOM Malaysia violates freedom of association
The ILO Committee on Freedom of Association (CFA) has concluded that the dismissal of five union leaders from Malaysia’s HICOM, supplier to Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and Mitsubishi, was a violation of freedom of association.
Strengthening union power in Oman
In July, IndustriALL, in cooperation with the General Federation of Oman Workers (GFOW), organized a workshop on communication and negotiation skills. 25 unionists from the executive bodies of the sectoral labour federations and members of the women's committees participated.
Conference discusses feminist ideas on building union power in Africa
Why is it important for trade unions in Sub Saharan Africa to adopt feminist approaches to their campaigns and activities? A regional conference in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, 17-18 August, discussed some possible strategies for gender integration and gender equity and equality in trade union activities using feminist ideas.
Miners at Glencore Peru demand better working conditions
Over 1,000 workers at Glencore-controlled mining firm Los Quenuales are taking action to press the company to respect outsourcing limitations and collective bargaining rights, provide better food and to comply with occupational health and safety requirements.
Unions and employers urge global brands to support Sri Lanka’s apparel industry
IndustriALL Global Union affiliates and the employers’ organisation in Sri Lanka are urging global apparel brands sourcing from the country to keep placing orders and help the country through the current crisis.
Organizing success in COATS Morocco
IndustriALL affiliate, Fédération Nationale des Travailleurs du Textile, du Cuir, des Chaussures et de L'habillement (FNTTCCL-UMT), has established a new union at COATS MAROC S-A, the Moroccan plant of British multinational thread manufacturer COATS.
Unions fight soaring inflation with community kitchens
IndustriALL affiliates in Sri Lanka are organizing community kitchen programmes to address the massive food inflation and shortage of cooking gas that makes daily life extremely difficult.
40 000 power loom workers in Pakistan strike for better wages
Over 40,000 power loom workers in Faisalabad responded to a call for a strike to demand social security cover and an increase in wages. The workers, who have been on strike since 1 August, have also been demonstrating on the streets of Faisalabad where over one million workers are employed in power looms.
10 workers still trapped following Mexico mine collapse
10 workers remain trapped underground following a mine collapse on 3 August in the municipality of Sabinas, in Coahuila, northern Mexico.
IndustriALL-Brazil aims to unionise 10,000 workers
A follow-up workshop was held on 1 August to organise a unionisation campaign in Brazil. The aim is to recruit 10,000 new union members in the industrial sector by the end of 2022.
Sexual harassment blocks young women’s training in Kenya’s automotive industry
At a two-day workshop in Nairobi, 3- 4 August, sexual harassment was identified as impeding young women from pursuing learnerships and skills training in Kenya’s automotive industry. One of the participants narrated how difficult it is for young women to enter the industry as technicians, artisans, or mechanics because of the pervasive sexual harassment.
Union wins as Indian court reinstates 150 unfairly dismissed garment workers
Garment and Fashion Workers Union (GAFWU), affiliated to IndustriALL Global Union through Unions United, won a long drawn out legal battle against SLAM Clothing Pvt. Ltd which had locked out and dismissed workers using fraudulent letters with fake signatures.
Global brands purchasing practices linked to abuse of garment workers in South Asia
Purchasing practices of global brands are increasing the risk of abuse for workers at the far end of the supply chain in the textile and garment sector.
Indonesian unions sign zero-tolerance policy on violence and harassment with companies
As ways of expressing their strong commitment to the ILO Convention 190 on eliminating violence and harassment in the world of work, Indonesian unions convened social dialogue meetings with employers.