Union work cost 90 people their lives in 2010

GLOBAL: On June 1 the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) released its new Annual Survey on Trade Union Rights based on reports received from 143 countries of the world telling of the bitter truth about the abuse of rights and economic freedoms of working people across the globe.

This year the Survey once again points to Columbia as the most dangerous place on our planet for unionists, where last year 49 people were murdered for their trade union work in this country alone. 75 people received death threats and at least 2.500 were put under arrest. Quite often unionists became subject to repression at their workplace and at least 5,000 of them were fired last year.

The ITUC published the Survey on their website in the form of a database with  initial access through a world map, facilitating the search for reports from a particular country. To get access to the database of reports follow the link: ITUC Annual Survey on Trade Union Rights

The launch of the survey took place during the International Labour Organization's International Labour Conference, which celebrated its 100^th anniversary this year. On the occasion of the launch of the ITUC Survey Jyrki Raina, IMF General Secretary, spoke about violations of human and trade union rights in Mexico, the country that for long time remains subject of close attention on the part of the International Metalworkers' Federation.

"The labour rights abuses, well documented in the ITUC's Annual Survey of Trade Union Rights, compels us as unionists and activists to act," said Raina addressing the ILC delegates.

The Global Union Federations and ITUC are working together to keep up the pressure on Mexico to improved labour rights. Our affiliates who are the heart of the international labour movement, are committed to keep up the fight globally and locally," he added.