Dismissed Belarusian union activist should be reinstated 28 May, 2020In Belarus, a country notorious for its wide use of short-term employment contracts, a court has denied union activist Mikalaj Valadzko’s claim for reinstatement after the German-based Redpath Deilmann refused to renew his short-term contract over his trade union activity.
Four-hour strike at Italian ArcelorMittal sites brings results26 May, 2020IndustriALL Italian affiliates FIM, FIOM, and UILM declared a four-hour strike at all ArcelorMittal sites in Italy on 25 May. They are calling on the steel manufacturing multinational to urgently disclose its business plan, and engage in meaningful dialogue with the unions to ensure the viability of the plants while keeping jobs and decent working conditions for the entire workforce. Under pressure after the action was announced, representatives of the company and the government joined trade unions at virtual negotiation table.
Unions in Madagascar protest against forced leave25 May, 2020When seven workers tested positive to the coronavirus at Tamatave Mine, owned by Ambatovy, and managed by Canadian company, Sherritt, 60 per cent of the workforce of mainly Malagasy workers were put on forced leave for six months on reduced pay.
Returning mineworkers test positive to Covid-19 in South Africa25 May, 2020With the easing of the country’s lockdown and with mineworkers returning to work, tests are showing that more workers have the coronavirus. On 24 May, AngloGold Ashanti said when they tested 650 workers at Mponeng gold mine in Gauteng Province, 164 tested positive for Covid-19.
Threat of job cuts at Volkswagen plant in Russia 20 May, 2020At Volkswagen’s plant in Kaluga, Russia, workers who voluntarily resign are offered five to six months wages. IndustriALL affiliate ITUWA, is advising members to wait until an official process to reduce jobs is in place, as it would be more beneficial for the workers.
Iraq: protest at Basra Gas Company/Shell over non-payment of salaries20 May, 2020Workers at Basra Gas Company, a joint venture where Shell holds a major stake, launched a protest on 18 May over the company’s failure to pay salaries. Around 5,000 workers seconded from South Gas Company (SGC) to Basra Gas Company (BGC) have yet to receive their salaries.
Tunisian garment workers strike over dismissals of union leaders18 May, 2020Management at the Gartex factory, which produces ready-made clothes, is failing to apply labour laws and regulations and is violating collective agreements signed with IndustriALL affiliate Fédération Générale du Textile, de l'Habillement, Chaussure et Cuir (FGTHCC-UGTT).
Protecting workers in Myanmar 14 May, 2020IndustriALL affiliate IWFM has signed a framework for action with employers and ACT brands producing in the country, aiming to protect garment workers from the devastating impacts of the pandemic.
Unions fight to protect Nigeria’s oil and gas workers14 May, 2020Unions in Nigeria are vowing to challenge attempts by oil and gas companies to use the Covid-19 pandemic as an excuse to retrench workers and promote precarious working conditions.
New cases of Covid-19 in Peru’s mines 13 May, 2020As operations in Peru’s mines continue despite a state of emergency, the National Miners’ and Metalworkers’ Union (FNTMMSP) says 252 miners have contracted the disease and one has died.
