IndustriALL and TKE unions collaborate to empower workers31 July, 2023Working conditions, wages, social dialogue, workers’ and union rights, and the development of a global union council were items discussed at the IndustriALL Global Union, and TK Elevator (TKE) unions hybrid meeting. The Madrid meeting held on 11-12 July, served as a platform for robust discussions on national situations in TKE plants and around the objectives of the global union council (GUC) to enhance workers’ rights and strengthen social dialogue.
Sri Lanka: unions protest government’s debt restructuring and labour law changes25 July, 2023Despite heavy rains Sri Lankan unions held a protest in Colombo, on 25 July, against the proposed anti-worker labour law amendments and domestic debt restructuring plan which involves using the hard-earned provident fund amounts of workers and implementing anti-worker labour law amendments.
Young trade union leaders strengthen union action through international exchange25 July, 2023From 17 to 21 July, 24 young trade union leaders from South America participated in the third trade union exchange program at IG Metall's training center in Sprockhövel, Germany. The exchange emphasized the importance of collective struggle for better working conditions and the development of action plans to strengthen trade union organizations.
Protecting workers' rights in Ukraine during the war and in the reconstruction of the country20 July, 2023Trade union gathering in Ukraine followed by tripartite meeting with Ukrainian government, ILO and UN exposes extent of labour rights abuses and addresses trade union demands for post-war reconstruction.
Malagasy unionists arrested over QMM protests must be released! 19 July, 2023From 26 June to 3 July, Madagascar’s independence days, communities from the villages surrounding the Rio Tinto subsidiary QIT Madagascar Minerals (QMM) mining site at Mandena in Toalagnaro (Fort Dauphin) protested inadequate financial compensation on loss of livelihoods, water pollution, and community exclusion from consultations when the mining licence was renewed by the government. In dispersing the protestors, the police and gendarmerie used disproportionate force which saw ten demonstrators injured and over 80 arrested and imprisoned, including five trade unionists.
Workers in Nepal demand fair wages14 July, 2023IndustriALL affiliates in Nepal have submitted a joint memorandum to the Labour Minister and Federation of Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Industries, demanding that the minimum wage be raised to NPR 26,200 (US$200).
MADE in Myanmar Project - EU must stop supporting military junta’s rule11 July, 2023IndustriALL Global Union and industriAll Europe are reiterating their call for the EU to withdraw support for the MADE in Myanmar project, which effectively funds Myanmar’s military junta, as well for the withdrawal preferential tariffs under the Generalised System of Preferences. EU citizens and public funds should not be used to benefit the military junta, nor should they be associated with an EU-funded project where workers are threatened, dismissed or arrested without cause. Read the full statement.
US workers strike for green jobs10 July, 2023The picket lines around the Wabtec facility in Erie, Pennsylvania, USA, continue to be strong as the strike enters its third week. 1,400 workers at the facility which manufactures locomotive engines, are striking for green jobs.
South African workers march against socio-economic crisis 7 July, 2023South African workers fed up with corruption, crime, high levels of unemployment, rising inflation and gender-based violence downed tools yesterday in a national day of action on 6 July.
Bangladesh is one of the world’s worst countries for workers 5 July, 2023The recently published ITUC Global Rights Index 2023, which ranks countries based on the status of workers’ rights, reveals a grim picture of the situation for workers in South Asian countries. While Nepal and Sri Lanka witness regular and systematic violations of workers’ rights respectively, Bangladesh has been ranked as one of the worst countries in the world for workers.
