19 May, 2010Organizing the electronics industry has long proven to be a difficult challenge for trade unions. Unionization rates remain extremely low in an industry where precarious employment is rife and labour abuses abound. To make matters worse, the electronics industry has been one of the hardest hit by the economic crisis, bringing job losses and additional downward pressure on pay and conditions. But at IMF's recent conference for the ICT, Electrical and Electronics industries on 'Organizing, Trade Union Rights and Sustainability', IMF affiliates reasserted their commitment to organizing electronics workers and improving their working conditions.
19 May, 2010According to official data, in Russia, a country with a population of over 140 million, in 2009 there was a grand total of one strike. Of course, this reflects not the actual situation, but rather the unjustifiably strict legal requirements for holding strikes. The unconvincing figures from the Russian Federal Statistics Service (Rosstat) conceal the real story of labour conflicts: hundreds of collective disputes, a multitude of clashes with management and government, which both are often prepared to go to any lengths to destroy active and combative unions.
7 September, 2009SKF World Council of trade unions meet and discuss the impact of the financial crisis on workers and how the unions can strengthen their global network.
2 September, 2009Unions around the world are mobilizing and preparing for the global week of action from October 3 to 10 in the campaign against precarious work. Posters and leaflets in support of these actions are now available on the IMF website.
18 September, 2009The European Metalworkers' Federation calls for solidarity and invites unions to participate in a demonstration at the Opel Plant in Antwerp on September 23, 2009.
23 September, 2009With a rich history of struggling to improve the lives of working people, the Thai labour movement is at the forefront of the global campaign to move temporary workers to permanent positions.
23 September, 2009IMF holds 2nd seminar on Union Building and Collective Bargaining aimed at strengthening union building efforts around the world.
22 September, 2009The president of the union at Tenaris Tubos del Caribe has received death threats in the middle of a labour dispute with the company. Sintratucar is seeking company recognition of the union and demanding that the company protects the lives of union leaders.
