Fight against precarious work: a central demand in Rio Tinto Campaign2 March, 2014Rio Tinto is notorious for its union bashing tactics and abuse of precarious workers. As a consequence, IndustriALL Global Union launched in Cape Town, South Africa, on 6 February, its global corporate campaign against mining giant Rio Tinto. The main aim of this campaign is to force a seismic shift in the way Rio Tinto relates to workers and trade unions across their operations.
Tragedy in crisis ridden Central African Republic1 July, 2013Driven by desperation and poverty amidst political upheaval, workers resumed mining at a site that had been closed in 2009 after a landslide killed 16 people. The reopened site saw tragedy on 23 June when its collapse killed 52 miners.
Russia ratifies ILO Convention 176 on mining safety3 June, 2013On 21 May the State Duma, the Russian parliament’s lower house, ratified ILO Convention 176 on Safety and Health in Mines. This is the result of many years’ sustained effort of the trade union movement.
Partial success for mineworkers in Pakistan22 April, 2013Mine workers at MMC Duddar Mine in Pakistan achieve improved safety and wages after a 9-day strike, but the company still refuses to recognize the union or reinstate 200 dismissed workers.
Ghana tragedy claims lives of 17 illegal miners18 April, 2013The bodies of 16 illegal miners have been recovered from an abandoned mine pit in Ghana after it collapsed on 15 April 2013. Another six were rescued but one miner later died in hospital.
Zambian government seizes Collum Mine over poor working conditions28 February, 2013The Zambian government has emphasized that the take over is not nationalism, but due to non compliance with labour laws, safety and environmental standards and non payment of royalties at the previously state-owned coal mine.
Different languages, same message: Union Rights in Mexico NOW!21 February, 2013This week the attention of trade unions around the world is focused on Mexico. 10,000 activists from different regions, cultures, industrial sectors and backgrounds, are speaking in different languages through different actions. Their message is clear and united: “We will not give up until Mexican workers get full trade union rights”.
19 miners died in an explosion in Russia21 February, 201319 miners died and 3 more were injured in a methane explosion at Vorkutinskaya mine (Vorkuta, Russia) on 11 February. Representatives of the Russian Independent Coal Employees’ Union (Rosugleprof), an IndustriALL affiliate, were included in the commission to investigate the causes of the tragedy.
Eight coal miners killed in Pakistan18 February, 2013Eight coal miners were killed on 28 January in a methane gas explosion at mine No. 23 owned by the Akbar Nasir Coal Company and located in tehsil Duki area of Balochistan’s Loralai district in Pakistan.
Ghana must ratify mine safety convention5 December, 2012The Ghana Mineworkers Union (GMWU) called for the ratification of the ILO Convention 176 on safety and health in mines, claiming the government is “mortgaging the health and safety of the mineworkers”.
