It is shameful that at a company producing concrete, a solid building material, workers’ interests and lives are falling through the cracks.

The virtual OECD Forum on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains on 27-28 April brought together representatives from government, business, and civil society, including trade unions, providing insights into the complexities of the supply chains ecosystems and the implementation of the OECD due diligence for multinational companies.

Strikes at two mining companies in Armenia have resulted in wage increase and improved health and safety.

IndustriALL and French car manufacturer Renault signed an important addendum to the global framework agreement from 2019, specifying conditions for remote work in a rapidly changing world of work.

After fighting union busting at a Lululemon supplier in the Philippines, eight union leaders unfairly dismissed in 2019 and 2020, have been reinstated and a collective agreement has been negotiated.

28 April is a day to remember and honour workers who were injured or died in the course of their work. This year, it is against the background of Covid-19, which has exposed the fragility of the current global occupational health and safety regime as workplaces emerged as hotspots for the transmission of the virus.

IndustriALL affiliates in Zimbabwe met in Harare 20-21 April to launch a gender champions strategy to stop gender-based violence and sexual harassment at the workplace and in the unions.

Out of the rubble of the Rana Plaza collapse, the Bangladesh Accord was created. The legally binding agreement has transformed factory safety in Bangladesh’ garment industry, saved lives, supported freedom of association and increased collective bargaining. The Accord expires at the end of next month, and it not only needs to stay, it needs to be expanded to cover garment workers worldwide.

IndustriALL’s executive committee brought together hundreds of trade unionists online to discuss strategies, solutions and solidarity. Today’s meeting is the last one before IndustriALL’s third Congress in September, which will be entirely virtual.

The proposed law on due diligence in supply chains has its first reading in the Bundestag, the German parliament, on 22 April. Unions are concerned that employers’ associations will attempt to block it or dilute its proposals.

It has been over a year since large parts of the world ground to a halt as our lives were overcome by the Covid-19 pandemic. The virus is still wreaking havoc, and hospitalizations and deaths continue. By the time we close this edition the world counts more than 140 million cases and more than 3 million deaths. The social consequences follow with the elimination of over 300 million formal jobs and 1.6 million informal ones.

Trade unions have only been allowed in Myanmar since 2012, when the country took its first steps away from a military regime towards democracy. However, in February this year, the military took back power in a coup d’état.   

IndustriALL launches consultation on guidelines for negotiating telework

IndustriALL affiliates in Latin America and the Caribbean have come up with a sector-based political and union agenda to promote regional reindustrialization, focusing on sustainable development and ensuring a fair transition to a low-carbon economy

Campaigns by trade unions, civil society organizations and mine affected communities for the formalization of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) are meant to end the deadly working conditions of the miners in Zimbabwe. In addition, formalization will introduce decent working conditions.

The Alang Sosiya Ship Recycling and General Workers Association (ASSRGWA) is a successful example of organizing India’s informal sector workers. The union has contributed to improving wages, social security measures and occupational health and safety (OHS), in what is often called the world’s most dangerous industry. 

Industrial Chile-Constramet celebrated 40 years of defending workers’ rights in December last year. The union is currently playing a leading role in a historic moment for Chile; the process of drafting a new Constitution.

IndustriALL Global Union affiliates in Latin America, the Caribbean and Sub-Saharan Africa met virtually on 7 April to exchange ideas on energy transition and how to reach better agreements for workers and communities.

Compared to other Swedish unions, Pappers is relatively small and only organize workers in one industry. But the 13,500 members represent around 95 per cent of all workers in Sweden’s pulp factories and paper mills.

Compared to other Swedish unions, Pappers is relatively small and only organize workers in one industry. But the 13,500 members represent around 95 per cent of all workers in Sweden’s pulp factories and paper mills.