Yearly Archives: 2013

The strike by Hong Kong dock workers is entering its third week. The significance of this dispute is now huge. Maritime transport is a global industry. Shipping rates and container turn around times are benchmarked internationally. Conditions at one port affect workers at other ports. Therefore we need to respond […]

The International Commemoration Day (ICD) for Dead and Injured Workers, on 28 April, is a major date for workers and trade unions around the world. The day marks the right of workers to a safe and healthy workplace. Millions of workers either die or get sick every year due to […]

In Mumbai, India, a building that was being constructed illegally collapsed on 4 April 2013. 74 people died including 25 children, while a further 65 people were injured with head wounds, fractures and spinal injuries.  The Building and Woodworkers International has made a statement about the collapse calling on the […]

Twenty two public sector trade unionists in Turkey have now been released on bail after 289 days of prison. About 100 unionists were arrested on February 19 2012 in police raids that targeted members and leaders of public sector union KESK. Last year saw an increased repression against Turkish unionists […]

Following on from the recent spate of arrests and indictments of labour and human rights activists under Article 112 of the Thai criminal code (Lese Majeste) and the Computer Crimes Act, criminal charges have been filed against another labour activist. Andy Hall wrote a report exposing human and labour rights […]

Following on from major campaigns against precarious employment over the last 2 years, and achieving some victories, workers in Indonesia are facing some serious counterattacks by government and employers. Last week in Aceh province, northern Sumatra, Rusli, Wahyu, Ismed Rizal and Amir were all arrested over alleged illegal trade union […]

The Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) trade union centre is inviting trade unionists from all around the world to their 29th International Solidarity Affair (ISA). This solidarity tour will run between April 24 and May 2, 2013, and will consist of an exposure program to the mining and for-export plantation communities […]

Hundreds of workers at the world’s third largest port in Hong Kong have been on strike for over a week demanding a 20% pay rise. They are mostly hired by a sub contractor, but the owner of the port, Hutchison International Terminals, and the Hong Kong government, are claiming that […]

Mining companies in China take advantage of the lax enforcement of health and safety laws, and this has cost workers once again. This week’s disaster in the mountains of Tibet was only the latest incident to affect mine workers. It is estimated that 83 gold mine workers were killed when […]

The workers who were dismissed in 2009 from the Ssangyong motor company have struggled on many fronts against their company, with some union members spending years in jail. The workers set up a protest camp to symbolise their ongoing struggle for justice. Unfortunately, they have faced massive resistance, and just […]