Workers’ rights and a level playing field at the OECD31 October, 2024The OECD is concerned that challenges to the shipbuilding industry due to decarbonization, the rise of China, and the disruption to global trade caused by the Red Sea crisis will lead to a distorted market.
Union gets shipbuilding academy to grow industry30 October, 2024Modern classrooms, a welcoming and workfriendly cafeteria are things you see when you walk into the shipbuilding academy in Glasgow. For over five years, Unite the Union, an affiliate of IndustriALL, fought relentlessly for something the UK shipbuilding industry needed—a state-of-the-art shipbuilding academy that would prepare its workforce for a more modern, sustainable future. It wasn’t just about meeting immediate needs, but about reshaping the industry for the next generation.
Shipbuilding and shipbreaking world conference calls for sustainable industry transformation 17 October, 2024Union leaders from 16 countries gathered in Glasgow, 15 and 16 October, at IndustriALL’s shipbuilding and shipbreaking world conference, uniting around a vision for safer, fairer, and sustainable industry standards in two of the world’s most dangerous sectors. This forum called for bold change, demanding stronger worker protections, sustainable practices, and global solidarity.
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.
The Hong Kong Convention is ratified – what next?27 February, 2024After a long campaign by IndustriALL and its affiliates, the Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships has been ratified and will enter into force on 26 June 2025. What does this mean for shipbreaking workers?
The Hong Kong Convention: what is needed?27 February, 2024The Hong Kong Convention is an incredibly important step forward for workers’ human rights and environmental management. However, it is not enough to transform the industry, which will require sustained attention and activism by unions.
Pakistan’s unsafe shipbreaking yard claims lives of two workers19 January, 2024Two workers were killed at Gadani shipbreaking yard in Pakistan when a heavy iron plate fell onto them while working on a bulk carrier ship, on 16 January.
Pakistan ratifies the Hong Kong Convention6 December, 2023Pakistan becomes the 23rd country to ratify the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships. The Convention is set to come into force in June 2025.
Shipbreaking unions plan for entry into force of Hong Kong Convention 27 November, 2023South Asian shipbreaking unions met in Kathmandu, Nepal, on 24-25 November, to evaluate a three-year organizing project supported by FNV Mondiaal, which ends this year. The industry is going through tremendous change as it prepares for the entry into force of the Hong Kong Convention (HKC).
OECD debates labour issues in shipbuilding23 November, 2023At a meeting at its Paris headquarters on 21 November, the OECD Shipbuilding Committee (WP6) held a workshop on labour issues in the shipbuilding industry. IndustriALL Global Union and IndustriAll Europe shared the perspective of trade unions, while workers’ representatives from Japan, Norway, South Korea and Spain also joined the meeting.
