1 May, 2002First to be hit will be Baden-Württemberg, Germany's most heavily industrialised region, with Berlin-Brandenburg to follow.

29 April, 2002Workers this May Day must demonstrate against racism and xenophobia, says the general secretary of the International Metalworkers' Federation.

28 April, 2002Company refuses to accept court's decision in favour of Limter-Is.

25 April, 2002Two million workers lose their lives every year due to occupational injury or disease.

24 April, 2002The South African metalworkers' union Numsa accuses the BHP-Billiton subsidiary of targeting black workers.

23 April, 2002Wage talks collapse. Union says employers' latest offer remains "provocative".

22 April, 2002With 20,000 more jobs to go, the company is taking drastic measures.

21 April, 2002Military police, using batons and teargas, assault workers in front of the Camaçari plant in Bahia.

21 April, 2002The one-day countrywide strike paralysed industrial activity throughout the country.

17 April, 2002A majority of the union's members vote in favour of a provisional agreement between General Motors and Daewoo Motor Company.