Oil workers demonstrate in Iraq28 February, 2013Chanting “People’s oil is not for the people but for thieves” hundreds of workers protested against the South Oil Company in Iraq on 19 February 2013, and called for housing, permanent work and payment of delayed benefits.
Union campaign at Bashneft a success28 February, 2013Russian Chemical Workers’ Union (RCWU), an IndustriALL Global Union affiliate, reports that the international solidarity campaign brought concrete results—pressure on union locals in Orenburg and Ufa, Russia, stopped, and a union representative was included in collective bargaining negotiations.
Struggle continues for ISMACO and DESA workers in Turkey28 February, 2013On 23 February, the Leather Workers’ Union of Turkey, an affiliate of IndustriALL Global Union, gathered in protest of the continuing union busting at the leather factory, DESA and the textile factory, ISMACO.
Egyptian security forces unleash violent attack on workers21 February, 2013In the early hours of 17 February, Central Security Forces stormed workers conducting a sit-in at the Portland Cement Factory in Alexandria, injuring dozens of workers. 18 of the striking workers remain in detention.
Emcocables refuses to negotiate a collective agreement21 February, 2013SINTRAEMCOCABLES, the union representing workers at the Colombian steel cables company, Emcocables S.A., is demanding a 5.75% pay rise. The company is offering 4.5%.
Union rights at Nigerian Oil and Gas Free Zone14 February, 2013Pressure from a threatened strike has resulted in the Nigerian government giving oil companies in the zone 90 days to establish unionization in their companies.
Colombian mine contractor convicted of murder14 February, 2013Following the murders of two union leaders in Colombia in 2001, Jaime Blanco, a former contractor for the US-based coal company Drummond Co., was convicted of murder on 25 January 2013 and sentenced to nearly 38 years in prison.
Foxconn plans union elections in China7 February, 2013Foxconn, the electronics manufacturing giant, is preparing to conduct elections for a representative labour union in its Chinese factories. The move follows severe criticism from trade unions and human rights groups for workers’ suicides, poor working conditions and employment relations at the company.
Thai Electrolux workers fight against dismissal31 January, 2013Swedish-based household appliance multinational Electrolux continues to make a mockery of its commitments to uphold minimum labour rights standards throughout its operations, including those made in the Global Framework Agreement (GFA) with IndustriALL Global Union.
Anti-union practices ruled illegal in Kaluga, Russia31 January, 2013The prosecutor’s office in Kaluga, Russia stated that the management’s ‘ban’ on public activities including union organizing on the territory of Peugeot-Citroen plant is illegal.