Unions' central role in due diligence
The OECD forum on due diligence in the garment and footwear sector in Paris, France, in February brought together governments, businesses, unions, civil society and academia to discuss the responsibility that companies have to identify, prevent, mitigate and account for their adverse impacts on human rights.
Strong solidarity needed for earthquake victims
IndustriALL Global and industriAll Europe conducted a joint mission to the region in Turkey hit by the earthquake in February, delivering a strong message of solidarity on behalf of millions of workers from all over the world.
Concerns over workers' rights violations at POSCO Assan in Turkey
IndustriALL Global and IndustriALL Europe present evidence and set out a case against steel company POSCO Assan’s claims to the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC).
Let's mobilize for gender equality on 8 March!
According to the United Nations, the world is not on track to achieve gender equality by 2030. It may take up to 286 years to secure the legal frameworks to ensure that women have equal legal rights and protections. Covid-19 and the backlash against women’s sexual and reproductive health and their rights have further diminished the outlook for gender equality.
USW members strike at Continental Cement
On 22 February about 100 members from the United Steelworkers (USW), an IndustriALL Global Union affiliate, went on strike protesting unfair labour practices.
Court orders union’s participation in wage negotiation
Calcutta High Court rules in favour of IndustriALL affiliate, Indian National Mineworkers’ Federation (INMF), for its participation in the coal industry wage negotiation process.
Ukraine still suffering one year later
On the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, IndustriALL Global Union, industriAll Europe and their affiliates call for peace, democracy and rebuilding of Ukraine.
Affiliates in South Asia call for a united struggle
IndustriALL Global Union’s general secretary, Atle Høie's, visit to South Asia comes at a time when the region is grappling with the rising cost of living and the erosion of workers’ rights. Anti-worker labour policies and governments’ unwillingness to engage with trade unions underlines the current struggle of IndustriALL affiliates in the region.
AfCFTA International labour standards deficit must be addressed
At the 13th ITUC Africa, New Year School in Lomé,Togo, 74 trade unionists from 26 African countries met from 21-24 February. Trade unions expressed the need for ILO international labour standards to be included in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to protect workers’ rights and interests.
The future starts today
The first IndustriALL meeting of young white-collar workers was held online, over two half-days, in December 2022. Around 35 participants came from all around the globe and exchanged their different realities, needs and expectations in the world of work and in their unions.
Framework for a responsible business disengagement from Myanmar
IndustriALL Global Union and a number of garment brands with operations in Myanmar have jointly developed a framework for a responsible exit from the country.
Aggressive anti-union tactics intensify at textile plant in Turkey
After workers at Barutçu Tekstil joined their local union, they were dismissed. In response, the 9 dismissed women started picketing in front of the factory. Over 100 days later, some of the dismissed workers and union officials got ammonia poisoning while demonstrating in front of the plant.
Unions take part in national strike against Peru’s government
IndustriALL Global Union’s affiliates in Peru have taken part in a fresh national strike against Dina Boluarte’s government. They called for her and members of Congress to resign, and for elections to be called.
Unions in Japan play key role in promoting due diligence
IndustriALL Global Union together with, Japanese affiliate, UA ZENSEN, held a series of meetings with Japanese global brands and retailers from 13-17 February. The aim was to highlight the need for continued vigilance of human and worker rights in the global supply chain, and the importance of supply chain industrial relations.
The right to strike protects workers
The right to strike is an essential part of freedom of association. While it’s a last resort, without it, workers and unions lack the power to defend their positions against the economic and political power of employers. The right to strike is under attack in many countries and trade unions are fighting back.
Union negotiation wins benefits for mothers
On 14 February, Indonesia’s Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mining, Oil and Gas Workers’ Union (FSP KEP) received facilities for mothers, after a 5-year long negotiation with PT Garudafood Putra Putri Jaya Tbk (Garudafood). Now 700 women workers can enjoy new facilities like a lactation room, breast feeding facility, childcare centre, and special allowance.
Global Reporting Initiative draft sector standard for mining released for comment
The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is an independent non-profit international organization which helps businesses and other organizations take responsibility for their impacts, and the release of its draft sector standard for mining for public comment is an important milestone. IndustriALL was involved in the development of the sector specific mining standard, as part of the working group.
Nine workers injured at Visakhapatnam Steel Plant
On 11 February, at least nine workers, including five contract workers, sustained injuries when molten steel fell on them in one of the steel melting shops at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant in India.
Ukrainian unions set to fight rights’ violations
As the first anniversary of the Russian invasion approaches, IndustriALL Global Union and industriAll Europe met with Ukrainian affiliates on 9 February to discuss human and workers’ rights violations in the country.
Union solidarity leads to significant pay rise
Unions at Chinese-owned ZiJin Bor copper mine in Serbia has signed a collective agreement with a 15 per cent wage increase. The win was made possible through strong solidarity among all unions and workers in the company.