21 April, 2011April 12 marks the day that Swaziland declared a state of emergency in 1973, which is still ongoing 38 years later, making it one of the world's longest running state of emergencies. It has been used to suspend the human rights and political freedom of the Swazi people and includes a ban on political parties. April 12, 2011 was chosen by pro-democracy campaigners for mass protests. Yet the protests planned for three days from the April 12 faced brutal crackdown by Swaziland security forces on anti-government protestors.

7 January, 2011The IMF Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean highlighted the impact of job insecurity and employers' refusal to recognise the freedom of association. He also requested greater ILO cooperation in strengthening national and international collective bargaining at the sector level.

5 January, 2011IMF's South Asian affiliates deliberated upon a regional focus in IMF's work for the South Asia to intensify organising workers in shipbreaking industry, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), establishing sustainable union structures, strong national unions and effective utilisation of IMF's communication and trade union networks to build international solidarity

23 December, 2010In the evening of December 19, mass demonstrations were staged in Minsk. Four trade unionists were arrested. The IMF demands the immediate release of Michael Kovalkov, Alexei Kovun, Vladimir Sergeev and Alexander Tysevich and an end of the violations of fundamental human rights in Belarus.

22 December, 2010IMF has received reports of renewed attacks against trade unionists and activists these last days in Mexico. José Luis Solorio, General Secretary of the new democratic Honda union in El Salto, Jalisco was fired; Jorge Mora, elected trade union leader in the Platosa Mine in la Sierrita, Durango also fired and his co-workers intimidated; in Puebla, the office of labour activists CAT, Centre for Worker Support was ransacked and robbed. IMF calls on the affiliates to send strong protest letters to support the Mexican workers fighting for freedom of association and justice.

16 December, 2010In a definitive court ruling, the General Secretary of the Mexican Miners' Union is cleared of sham money laundering charges in Mexico. Unions around the world to participate in global action in February 2011 demanding the Mexican government stop its violations of the right to freedom of association.

16 December, 2010In a second court hearing this week a Turkish court orders Sinter Metal to reinstate all dismissed workers. Birlesik Metal Is celebrates victory in a march to the company.

16 December, 2010The need for Just Transition for workers in moving to a secure, greener future was acknowledged by COP16, but unions demand more commitment particularly from developed countries for committing to ambition emission reductions.

15 December, 2010European Metalworkers' Federation and European Trade Union Confederation again stage protest actions against detrimental plans of austerity imposed on European countries.

14 December, 2010Birlesik Metal-Is celebrates bittersweet legal victory for Sinter Metal workers in Turkey after two years' struggle for reinstatement.