Covid-19 - Advice for workers and employers30 March, 2020IndustriALL Global Union views occupational health and safety as a matter of workers’ rights and employers’ responsibilities. The extraordinary situation created by the outbreak of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, does not change these fundamentals. In fact, they are now more important than ever.
Myanmar union calls for paid stay-at-home leave30 March, 2020Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar (IWFM) is calling on employers to accept a one-month shutdown of factories to help prevent an outbreak of the corona virus, while workers are paid the minimum wage.
Union members race to convert factories to produce supplies for Covid-19 patients26 March, 2020In the wake of the Corona epidemic, workplaces are changing production to join the fight against the virus.
Italian metalworkers strike to halt non-essential production26 March, 2020UPDATE : During negotiations with the Government on CGIL, CISL, and UIL secured a revision to the definition of ‘essential productive activities’ allowed to operate during the health crisis with a new decree dated 25 March. This new decree replaces the one from 22 March and establishes a new reduced list of authorized production activities. The trade unions are satisfied with the new decree as it reduces the number of people having to go to work and therefore better protects workers’ safety and health.
South African textile union wins full pay guarantee during coronavirus lockdown26 March, 2020IndustriALL Global Union affiliate the South African Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (SACTWU) has reached an agreement to guarantee six weeks of full pay for 80,000 workers as the country goes into lockdown.
Union responses to Covid-1926 March, 2020The novel coronavirus, and the disease it causes, COVID-19, is leading to an unfolding public health, economic and employment crisis. Unions around the world are responding to the rapidly evolving situation, defending workers' rights and promoting social solidarity.
Global tyre industry continues to slow down26 March, 2020The continued slowdown of tyre production due to COVID-19 is affecting IndustriALL Global Union members. Measures are taken to protect staff and to respond to a severe drop in demand. All companies suspending production report that they will continue to be able to fill customers’ needs from existing stock.
African trade unions want mining companies to follow COVID-19 protocols25 March, 2020Mining unions in Sub Saharan Africa are calling for due diligence and adherence to health and safety standards, and national and supranational protocols to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). These calls come amidst national states of disasters and lockdowns in most countries.
COVID-19 - an existential crisis for the garment industry23 March, 2020As retailers close shops around the world, garment factories are shutting down at an alarming rate with devastating impacts for garment workers.
Covid-1923 March, 2020In the past year, the pandemic brought on by Covid-19 has led to a public health, economic and employment crisis. Unions around the world have continued to defend workers' rights and promote social solidarity. This page provides updates of union responses to the crisis from around the world.
