Voestalpine workers in Russia resign over poor wages and conditions23 August, 2012Voestalpine workers in Yarcevo, Smolensk area, Russia, took an extreme step in the ongoing industrial dispute: 12 out of 18 field engineers resigned collectively, while simultaneously putting forward a list of demands to the management. According to the workers, this is the only way to stop the persistent degradation of working conditions.
Colombian workers sacked by GM go on hunger strike10 August, 2012This long-running dispute has intensified in recent weeks. GM withdrew from a meeting with government, ILO and trade union representatives when sacked workers raised the issue of their occupational diseases.
Supervisor killed in a protest at Zambian Collum Mine8 August, 2012A Chinese supervisor at Collum Coal Mine in Zambia was killed and another seriously wounded after being hit by a trolley pushed at them by workers on 4 August 2012. Workers were angry that the mining company had failed to raise wages in line with new minimums set by the Zambian government.
Ban Asbestos: Indian unions engage in dialogue with Australian Senator25 July, 2012Indian trade unionists and Australian Labor Party Senator, Ms. Lisa Singh, shared various aspects of the Ban Asbestos campaign in India and Australia in a meeting on 18 July at New Delhi. They resolved to work closely to intensify the campaign to ban asbestos.
Peru textile unions step up campaign against short-term contracts 20 July, 2012Two Peruvian textile workers’ federations are launching an ‘adopt a Congress person’ campaign as part of their efforts to end a law which has condemned workers to a lifetime of short-term contracts in appalling working conditions.
Sao Paulo and Osasco seamstresses win historic agreement 13 July, 2012The new collective agreement obliges 7,000 companies in São Paulo to provide ergonomic chairs for workers.
IndustriALL and Rhodia-Solvay meet to improve safety9 July, 2012IndustriALL and Rhodia, part of the Belgian-based Solvay chemicals group, held the third meeting of the Global Safety Panel at the company’s operation in Chalampé, France on 26 to 27 June 2012.
Mining accident in South Africa kills 5 workers6 July, 2012On 2 July, five workers were killed and 14 others were hospitalized for smoke inhalation at the KDC West mine operated by Gold Fields in South Africa, when a fire broke out. The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) put the blame on poor mine management. NUM will conduct a memorial service for the deceased in their memory which is attended by the all the workers at the mine.
11 killed in RINL Visakhapatnam steel plant explosion16 June, 201211 employees were killed and several sustained serious burn injuries in a major explosion on June 13, 2012 at RINL Visakhapatnam steel plant, Andhra Pradesh, India.