Subscribe to Global Union News from IndustriALL feed
Updated: 1 hour 13 min ago

Fighting for decent work in the global minerals industry

Wed, 04/26/2023 - 01:00

Climate change has forced governments into a transition to a low-carbon economy. Phasing out fossil fuels in favour of green energy is a major feature of that climate action, estimated to require ten times more electric vehicles and battery storage. This in turn depends on a consistent supply of minerals including cobalt, lithium, nickel and graphite, as the component elements of digital devices, screens and systems.  

April 28 - world day for safety and health at work

Tue, 04/25/2023 - 09:43

Health and safety is a fundamental principle and right at work. IndustriALL Global Union is campaigning for the ratification of the Hong Kong Convention, amendments to the Rotterdam Convention and the ratification of ILO Convention 176.

KMWU announce national strikes against anti-labour policies

Fri, 04/21/2023 - 06:49

On 19 April 2023, the Korean Metal Workers’ Union (KMWU) staged a mass protest and announced two nation-wide strikes on 31 May and in July. Korean metal unions argue that the policies will weaken workers' rights and make it harder to organize and negotiate with employers.

More brands must sign the Accord – say global unions on 10th anniversary of Rana Plaza disaster

Thu, 04/20/2023 - 02:20

On the tenth anniversary of the Rana Plaza factory collapse, the deadliest disaster in the history of the garment industry, IndustriALL Global Union and UNI Global Union are calling on garment and textile brands to sign the International Accord to safeguard worker safety in Bangladesh, Pakistan and beyond.

Labour needs a stronger position in UN binding treaty

Thu, 04/20/2023 - 02:19

Negotiations on a binding UN business and human rights treaty are already nine years in the making, with more rounds are to come. After the latest negotiations in October last year, global unions have provided written input stressing an increased prominence of labour rights and a strong liability mechanism.

Record wage increase for Japanese metal workers

Wed, 04/19/2023 - 06:44

After wage negotiations in the sector, Japanese metalworkers’ unions have achieved an additional monthly wage increase of on average YEN8,407 (US$63), the highest since 2020.

Myanmar unions condemn EU garment sector initiative

Tue, 04/18/2023 - 08:04

Trade unions in Myanmar condemn the EU-funded MADE in Myanmar project, which claims to support the garment manufacturing sector by replacing unions with employer-selected “workers’ representatives”. 

South Africa: 300,000 auto workers impacted by delayed wage deal

Thu, 04/13/2023 - 09:29

IndustriALL Global Union affiliate, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) are concerned by the unnecessary delay in publishing auto sector agreement in the government gazette. This process ensures that the wage agreement is extended to non-parties. The delay has impacted over 300 000 workers at fuel stations, car dealerships, vehicle body builders, and component manufacturers.

 

Ukrainian unions committed for peace and reconstruction

Thu, 04/13/2023 - 05:37

On 11 April, IndustriALL Global Union and industriAll Europe held a joint strategy meeting in the Polish border town of Lancut with thirteen Ukrainian affiliates to plan future actions and activities to reinforce unity, solidarity and commitment for Ukraine. 

Thai unions urge government to ratify ILO Conventions 87 and 98

Thu, 04/13/2023 - 02:02

Unions in Thailand are calling on the government to implement internationally recognized labour standards. However, the Thai government argues that the conventions cannot be ratified until domestic labour laws are amended and national security concerns addressed.

Indonesia passes emergency decree for Job Creation Law

Wed, 04/12/2023 - 07:53

Unions in Indonesia publicly condemn the national parliament for passing the emergency decree for Job Creation, into law on 21 March 2023. Nation-wide protests are planned on May Day, over half million workers are expected to turn up.

Kazakhstan needs genuine social dialogue

Tue, 04/11/2023 - 09:31

On 4-5 April, IndustriALL Global Union and the mining and metallurgical trade union Kazprofmetal held a joint strategic activity on union organizing in Astana, Kazakhstan, for union leaders and activists from most of the country's metallurgical operations.

Morocco: phosphate sector workers benefit from protocol agreement

Tue, 04/11/2023 - 04:42

Workers’ financial improvement, new social gains like housing and social activities like sport, tourist activities and establishing workers’ clubs are some of the benefits that workers from Syndicat National des Travailleurs de Phosphates - SNTP-CDT will receive. SNTP-CDT, an IndustriALL affiliate in Morocco, organized a national campaign to promote the protocol of the agreement with the OCP Group signed in 2022. Other benefits include important provisions regarding protection, occupational safety, and aspects of health insurance. Women in the phosphate sector achieved important gains related to work flexibility, especially for breastfeeding women.

Stop repression in Eswatini

Thu, 04/06/2023 - 09:06

Trade unions and civil society organizations call for national dialogue on democratic reforms in Eswatini, Africa’s last absolute monarchy, amid repression by the police and state security.

The work to keep garment factories safe must continue

Tue, 04/04/2023 - 08:55

24 April marks the 10th anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh, an industrial homicide that killed more than 1,100 people and injured many more. The tragedy served as a turning point for the textile and garment industry as out of the rubble, the Bangladesh Accord was created. Unions were able to turn tragedy into a historic agreement to make garment factories safe.

Using due diligence to build union power in Asia Pacific

Tue, 04/04/2023 - 05:31

In response to enactments of human rights due diligence laws in the global north, IndustriALL affiliates in Asia Pacific are preparing to use the laws to build union power in the global supply chain.

Organizing along a changing minerals value chain

Tue, 04/04/2023 - 04:20

The increased demand for critical metals and minerals needed for a clean energy transition to a low carbon future has motivated many multinational mining companies to diversify their operations, providing opportunities for unions to organize in the global value chains which now include converging industrial sectors in the automotive, energy, mining, and oil and gas.

Israel: union pressure prompts suspension of proposed legislation

Fri, 03/31/2023 - 05:01

On 27 March, IndustriALL affiliate Histadrut, which is the largest trade union organization in the country, called for a general strike to stop new proposed legislation, which plans to overhaul the judiciary system. 

Attack on workers’ rights in India

Thu, 03/30/2023 - 09:20

In a cabinet meeting on 17 March, the Maharashtra state government approved rules drafted under the anti-worker Industrial Relations Code passed by the Indian government in 2020.

Turkish workers dismissed after wage increase demand

Thu, 03/30/2023 - 07:09

Members of Birleşik Metal-İş at auto-supplier company, Mata Otomotiv, were dismissed by their employer as response to their legitimate demands of a wage increase.

Pages