IndustriALL trade union network at Klabin and Suzano sheds light on violations10 October, 2024Two giant companies of the pulp and paper industry, Klabin and Suzano employ a combined approximately 75,000 people, the vast majority in Brazil. IndustriALL affiliated unions in Brazil brought 45 worker leaders from throughout the companies’ operations together in São Paulo on 8-9 October. The list of human and trade union rights, and environmental violations reported from throughout Brazil runs totally in contrast to both companies’ public commitments.
Manager physically assaults workers at Yura factory in Serbia 1 October, 2024A South Korean manager at Yura’s Leskovac factory in Serbia, physically assaulted three female workers during the first shift on 27 September. The victims, employed in seated preparation roles due to medical conditions developed while working at Yura, were initially subjected to verbal abuse before he kicked their chairs and threw one at them. One worker sustained injuries and another lost consciousness, requiring hospital treatment.
Palestine: Global unions file ILO complaint to recover wages of over 200,000 Palestinian workers in Israel 27 September, 2024A complaint against the Israeli government for blatant violations of the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Protection of Wages Convention has been filed by nine global trade unions, with members in over 160 countries representing 207 million workers. The complaint highlights the obligations of Israeli authorities to redress and remedy a range of abuses, including unpaid wages and withheld benefits for more than 200,000 Palestinian workers employed in Israel.
Iran: mine explosion kills 50 26 September, 2024One of the worst industrial accidents in Iran killed 50 mine workers and injured 16 more as methane gas exploded in a coal mine in Tabas, eastern Iran, on 22 September. The day before the explosion, workers informed management about the smell of methane gas in the tunnels, but they were still made to go to work.
Deadly explosion at shipyard in Bangladesh13 September, 2024UPDATE: On 7 September, a deadly explosion claimed the lives of seven workers and seriously injured more than ten others at a ship recycling yard in Bangladesh compliant with the Hong Kong Convention.
Union busting in Türkiye 3 September, 2024Workers at a factory near Istanbul in Türkiye that produce zips for major brands like Inditex, H&M, Lacoste and Adidas, are being denied their legal right to be represented by a union by factory management.
Belarusian unionist released from jail 22 August, 2024Vasil Beresnev, the 74-year-old acting chairman of Belarusian Radio and Electronics Workers’ Union (REP) sentenced to nine years in 2023, has been released.
Delayed justice for Belarusian unionists21 August, 2024The UN Human Rights Committee has recognized that the rights of three union activists in Belarus were violated during a protest in 2018, and is ordering the government to provide compensation and amend national legislation.
Botswana: Union fights union busting in the diamond supply chain15 August, 2024Globally, Botswana’s diamond manufacturing supply chain is seen as a shining example of the sector in Africa. But unions say with the current union busting the country’s diamonds are becoming dirty.
Armed forces raid Nigerian union offices amid protests8 August, 2024On the night of 7 August, armed security forces broke into the offices of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja, seizing printed materials and other documents. The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) claims these materials were “seditious and used to incite and organize” recent protests advocating for pro-poor economic policies.
