Unions urge strong action to protect steel industry jobs amid economic uncertainty and trade tensions

As in the past, OECD data confirms that global steelmaking capacity continues to grow despite weak demand and a sluggish economic outlook. By the end of 2024, global steelmaking capacity had reached 2,472 million metric tonnes and is expected to rise further in the coming years. Nearly half of this capacity is in China, where declining domestic demand since 2020 has driven production towards export markets, increasing pressure on other economies.

Meanwhile, new trade tariffs, including between major OECD economies, are adding further uncertainty which could negatively impact demand and investment, putting steelworkers' jobs at risk worldwide.

Trade unions continue to emphasise that steel overcapacity and rising trade tensions are only one side of the problem—the other is weak domestic demand. Union representatives at the OECD Steel Committee are calling for ambitious and comprehensive industrial policies to boost demand and set higher standards by incorporating labour and environmental conditions. They also urge large companies to reinvest their profits in new and green technologies to drive sustainable economic growth and create positive spillover effects across other sectors.

Currently, responses from major OECD economies are inconsistent. In the United States, rising tariffs are accompanied by efforts to roll back clean energy and industrial projects approved under the Inflation Reduction Act. In the European Union, increased fiscal flexibility for defence spending may not be the best solution for lifting European production, as the vast majority of defence goods are imported from outside the EU, and decoupling from US suppliers together with expanding European military output capacity could take many years. Meanwhile, other urgent priorities—such as social cohesion funds and investment in infrastructure, healthcare, and education—are pushed further down the agenda.

Veronica Nilsson, TUAC general secretary, warns: 

“As the case of steel shows, inadequate public investment and low private consumption make domestic industries more exposed at times of heightened trade tensions. Instead of pursuing fiscal consolidation, limiting public investment and devaluing wages through labour market reforms that reduce labour protection and the bargaining power of workers, governments should pursue expansionary fiscal policies and targeted industrial strategies that strengthen domestic resilience while protecting quality jobs and workers’ rights.”

Christina Olivier, IndustriALL Global Union assistant general secretary, says:

"Governments must adopt proactive industrial strategies that align economic, environmental, and social goals. Steel is the backbone of our economies—protecting the sector means protecting workers, communities, and the future of manufacturing."

Judith Kirton-Darling, general secretary of industriAll Europe, concludes: 

"Europe’s steel industry is at a crossroads. Without urgent action to boost demand and secure investment, we risk losing critical industrial capacity and high-quality jobs. Workers cannot be left to bear the brunt of trade tensions and economic uncertainty. We need a coordinated EU industrial policy that safeguards quality jobs and turns the promise of a just transition into reality."

16 April – day of action for trade union rights and democracy in Belarus

The most high-profile case is that of Aliaksandr Yarashuk, former President of the BKDP and a member of the ILO Governing Body, who, along with BKDP Vice-President Siarhei Antusevich and others, was sentenced to harsh prison terms simply for defending workers’ rights.

We cannot allow these injustices to go unnoticed or unchallenged and urgently seek your support for a campaign initiated by the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP), an independent national trade union centre affiliated with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). Among its members, three are affiliates of IndustriALL Global Union, with whom we stand united in demanding justice for our fellow trade unionists in Belarus, who are enduring severe repression.

How you can support the campaign

This campaign is about more than Belarus — it is about defending the fundamental rights of workers everywhere. When one of us is attacked, we are all at risk. Let us show that the global trade union movement stands together in solidarity.

Let us know about the actions you have taken and tag IndustriALL on social media.

Bangladesh: union leader released from jail but the fight continues

On 8 March, workers at Polo Composite protested against unpaid wages and illegal dismissals. The protest was brutally crushed by management and the proposed union committee members were physically assaulted and illegally terminated. Kabir Hossain was accused of provoking labour unrest and violence, as well as of stealing assets worth 25 million BDT (US$203,532). On 12 March, police raided the NGWF office in Savar, seized union documents, vandalised the union office and illegally detaining Hossain and the proposed president and general secretary of union at Polo Composite. They were later arrested under a case filed by management.

Since NGWF began efforts to unionize workers at Polo Composite, management has left no stone unturned to harass and intimidate proposed union committee members, including the president and general secretary. In November last year, when workers struck work to demand pending wages of October, management hired goons to break the strike and filed false cases against eight workers, including the proposed union president and general secretary. They were accused of blocking the factory gate, obstructing workers and officials from entering the factory, colluding with outsiders to break into the factory, attacking the security manager, vandalizing office property and stealing office furniture.

The eight workers were also not paid the outstanding wages. This has turned into a trend at Polo Composite; when workers raise their voice against unfair labour practice, they are met with dismissals, physical attacks and criminal charges.

NGWF has filed several complaints against the company with the BGMEA, as well as taking the matter to labour court. Currently, 17 worker complaints are pending with the BGMEA.

Amirul Haque Amin, NGWF president, says:

“It is evident that garment factory owners are trying to suppress workers’ voices and intimidate labour leaders. We strongly condemn Kabir Hossain’s unlawful arrest. Despite a bail order, his release from jail was blocked twice by management. We urge the management and state authorities to respect worker’s fundamental right to form and join trade unions without fear of persecution.”

Kabir Hossain’s bail in the false case comes with a condition that if he is accused of any such ‘crime’ again then he will not be granted bail the next time. According to NGWF officials, Hossain continues to face threats and surveillance from the management and therefore, is unable to continue union work in the area.

Ashutosh Bhattacharya, south Asia regional secretary of IndustriALL, says:

“We salute the struggle of workers at Polo Composite and we stand in complete solidarity with the NGWF. We call on the government of Bangladesh to look into the matter immediately as it goes against the commitments made by the government in the ILO Roadmap.”

Photo credit: Workers leaving factory, Bangladesh. Crozet M. / ILO

Belgian unions demand end to military uniform production in Myanmar

Since the 2021 coup, Myanmar has been ruled by a brutal junta responsible for widespread repression, mass displacement and the suppression of independent unions and with it workers’ rights. Despite ample evidence of the ongoing violations, Sioen has continued to produce uniforms for the Belgian army in a Yangon factory, under martial law in Myanmar.

Unions say Sioen’s industrial activities in Myanmar not only legitimizes the military dictatorship but indirectly finances its violent rule. “It is unacceptable for Belgian taxpayers’ money to support a regime that murders civilians and persecutes workers,” the FGTB, CSC and CGSLB unions, all IndustriALL affiliates, said in a statement.

In 2021, IndustriALL launched a global campaign urging all garment brands to exit Myanmar. Many major companies, including H&M, Inditex, Lidl and C&A, have since pulled out. Sioen, however, has refused repeated union appeals to follow suit.

At a recent meeting with Sioen CEO Bart Vervaeke and managing director Michèle Sioen, Belgian union leaders reiterated their demand for the company to suspend operations in Myanmar until democracy and labour rights are restored. They proposed relocating production to other Sioen facilities in Tunisia or Indonesia and offering temporary compensation to workers in Yangon.

The unions have a message for the Belgian defence minister Theo Francken, warning him that the government’s proposed €4.5 billion defence budget increase must not be used to support exploitative overseas labour or oppressive regimes. They are urging stricter human rights clauses in public procurement and mandatory respect for human rights along the supply chains.

“The government says this spending is about strengthening Belgian industry. Then let it truly benefit Belgian workers – not come at the cost of others’ suffering,” 

the unions said.

“IndustriALL’s call for a responsible exit from Myanmar will not change until companies pull manufacturing from the country. Faced with the overwhelming evidence of human and labour rights’ violations, some of the biggest brands have left. The ones who maintain production in Myanmar clearly put profits over human lives,” 

says Atle Høie, IndustriALL general secretary.   

Nuclear renaissance raises worker and safety issues

The meeting served as a platform to assess the current state of the nuclear sector internationally and to reinforce the role of trade unions in shaping a just and secure energy transition.

In her opening remarks, IndustriALL’s energy director Diana Junquera Curiel presented an overview of the global energy landscape, noting that fossil fuels still dominate energy production despite the growth of renewable sources. Nuclear energy, she said, is gaining renewed interest in several countries due to its potential to deliver low-emission and reliable energy, although it raises significant labour and social challenges.

Recent momentum in nuclear development was highlighted, with a mid-March pledge by a cross-industry group—including Google, Amazon, Meta, 14 global financial institutions, 140 nuclear companies, and 31 countries—supporting a tripling of global nuclear capacity by 2050. This shift is expected to meet increasing electricity demand, particularly from energy-intensive data centres.

Kazuo Kawano of Japanese union DENRYOKU SOREN presented Japan’s approach to restarting reactors under stricter safety standards, while working to rebuild public confidence following the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Japan is also investing in next-generation nuclear technologies and restoring its nuclear supply chain.

DENRYOKU SOREN president Moriya Mibu welcomed the international participation and noted the value of the exchange, which included a site visit to Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station.

“Nuclear power is a technology that should be handled by democratic and human rights-oriented people,” 

he said, emphasising the importance of maintaining international union dialogue.

The Ukrainian delegation reported on the brutal impact of war; occupied facilities, kidnapped workers, drone attacks and continuous violations of international standards. Despite the conditions, Ukrainian unions continue to operate and represent workers.

Valery Matov, co-chair of IndustriALL’s nuclear sector, said:

“We have received confirmation that the nuclear sector is experiencing a new renaissance, and it is very important to enhance the exchange of information between us, taking into consideration the current global situation. We would also like the uranium sector to receive a new boost for development. Many thanks to IndustriALL and our Japanese colleagues for this high-level meeting.”

Country presentations revealed diverse issues across regions:

Anniversary of Fukushima nuclear accident

On 26 March, delegates visited the Great East Japan earthquake and nuclear disaster memorial museum in Fukushima and later stayed at J-Village, a sports complex repurposed as a nuclear response base following the 2011 disaster. The site has since been restored and symbolises regional recovery.

The following day included a technical visit to the Fukushima Daiichi plant, where experts detailed ongoing decommissioning efforts, including waste management, contaminated water treatment, and the challenge of removing melted nuclear fuel—an unprecedented process expected to take 30 to 40 years. Approximately 880 tonnes of melted fuel remain inside reactors 1, 2, and 3.

The meeting closed with a call to expand the INWUN network, include uranium mining unions, and strengthen collaboration between meetings. Health and safety, youth training, and support for workers affected by plant closures were identified as urgent priorities.

Fighting GBVH in Bangladesh’s H&M supplier factories

The H&M Group-IndustriALL guidelines on gender-based violence and sexual harassment were developed in 2023 under the global framework agreement (GFA) between IndustriALL Global Union, IF Metall and H&M. Aligned with ILO Convention 190 and Recommendation 206, the guidelines help H&M suppliers prevent, detect and address gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) in the workplace.

While the guidelines are available to all suppliers, the national monitoring committee (NMC) in Bangladesh set up under GFA, has rolled out the guidelines in depth in eight supplier factories of H&M in the last two years. This has involved a deep dive into understanding the GBVH situation in the factories as well as carrying out extensive training workshops to raise awareness on the issue as well as guidelines among workers and management. This year, another ten factories will be added to the list.

During these trainings, women workers discussed their experiences of harassment and abuse on the shopfloor which range from verbal abuses, offensive comments about their body, particularly during pregnancy, groping, slapping, among others. Workers also stated that men in positions of authority seek sexual relationships from women workers and that if they don't comply, they risk having their jobs terminated or receiving more production targets.

The workshops would often begin with management denying that such incidents happen in their factories; however, as sessions progressed, training participants reach the consensus that such incidents should not happen and steps must be taken to prevent them.

GBVH guidelines detail out mechanisms to prevent GBVH on the shopfloor, investigate the cases as well as monitoring and control systems. It mandates that factories must have a GBVH policy and all workers and management must be aware of it.

As part of prevention, the guideline requires consistent awareness raising as well as identification and mitigation of risks of GBVH.

An Investigation of GBVH cases is undertaken by anti-sexual harassment committees which are required to be established at all workplaces, following a court order in 2009.

The court directed the committees to receive complaints, conduct investigations and submit annual reports to the government. However, the lack of enforcement of the order non-functional committees and their limited authority in persecuting GBVH cases have been under constant criticism from trade unions.

Additionally, the stigma associated with reporting sexual harassment deters workers from reporting the abuse.

Nazma Akter, president of Sommilito Garments Sramik Federation and IndustriALL executive committee member, says:

“H&M – IndustriALL GBVH guidelines and training programmes will be crucial in strengthening the capacities of workers, organisers as well as management to understand the issue and develop joint strategies to address GBVH at H&M supplier factories.”

Italian metalworkers strike for fair negotiations

Workers will march nationwide, sending a clear message that they will not accept stagnation or concessions that erode their living standards. Their demands include action against wage stagnation, job insecurity and insufficient workplace protections.
 
FIOM, FIM and UILM, affiliates of IndustriALL Global Union and industriAll European Union, are leading the strike in response to employers’ refusal to engage in meaningful dialogue. Their failure to offer a fair contract threatens workers’ wages and rights, leading to widespread dissatisfaction.
 
Negotiations for the CCNL began on 30 May 2024. By 12 November, after eight rounds of discussions, Federmeccanica and Assistal proposed a framework linking wage increases solely to inflation trends. Unions argue this approach risks wage stagnation and undermines previous agreements from 2021.
 
In response, FIOM, FIM and UILM organized 16 hours of strikes between December 2024 and February 2025, including halting overtime and flexible work arrangements. However, employers have remained firm, leading to the escalation with the 28 March strike.
 
Federmeccanica and Assistal have cited economic challenges, offering a wage increase tied to the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (IPCA), totaling €173.37 (US$187.09) over four years (2025-2028), alongside flexible benefits and enhanced insurance coverage. However, unions argue these measures fall short of ensuring fair wages and job security.

IndustriAll European Trade Union and IndustriALL Global Union fully support FIOM, FIM and UILM in their fight.

“We stand firmly behind the workers' demands for clear and tangible increases in contractual minimum wages, ensuring they exceed inflation to safeguard purchasing power. Furthermore, we support their efforts to extend workers' rights, combat job insecurity, reduce working hours and strengthen protections for health and safety—both in workplaces and within contractual agreements,” 

said IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie.
 

“We stand by our Italian colleagues and their fight against the erosion of living standards. We support their call for the renewal of the national collective labour agreement and send all our solidarity for the eight hour strike on 28 March,”

said Judith Kirton-Darling industriAll Europe general secretary. 

South African mineworkers fight to save diamond mining jobs

Petra Diamond attributes the market downturn—the longest in 30 years—to global conditions, China's economic slowdown and the rise of lab-grown diamonds. Additionally, the diamond mining company says there is debt refinancing, operational underperformance, cost reduction and restructuring as some of the reasons for the retrenchments. But the NUM, an IndustriALL Global Union affiliate, is not convinced by the company’s arguments.

“The NUM believes these justifications are pretexts to sacrifice workers and shield executives from accountability for operational failures. A counterproposal submitted by the NUM, designed to save the company six million rand (US$328,525) and avert retrenchments, was summarily rejected by Petra Mine management,” said Masibulele Naki, NUM chief negotiator in the diamond sector.
 
The NUM took Petra Diamonds to the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration(CCMA) as part of its challenge to the retrenchments. Further, to alleviate the plight of the affected workers, the NUM signed a memorandum of understanding with Petra Diamond, to pay a R10,000 (US$550) each as relocation allowance to the affected workers. According to the union, the agreement includes a twelve-month recall clause and a committee will be set up to support the affected workers.
 
Other diamond mining companies that are retrenching workers include De Beers, which has given notice to 308 workers at Venetia Mine.
 
Further, the union is calling for urgent social dialogue that will include the Minerals Council of South Africa, diamond mining companies, the government and labour to address the crisis facing the country’s diamond industry. 
 
Mpho Phakedi, NUM acting general secretary, expressed concerns over the retrenchments, not only in the diamond sector, but in mining in general. “Mine workers are facing a bleak future of poverty and unemployment. Retrenchment notices have been issued at Anglo Platinum, De Beers, Petra Diamonds, Murray and Roberts Mining and Seriti resources and thousands of jobs will be lost.” 
 
“Diamond mining companies must always prioritize workers interests when faced with market volatility instead of rushing to retrench workers. They must seek business models that are sustainable and those that create and preserve jobs. Social dialogue with the unions is necessary to deal with challenges facing diamond mining,” says Glen Mpufane, IndustriALL Director for mining and diamonds.

A call to action and show of global solidarity for workers in Argentina

More than 70 leaders from IndustriALL’s affiliates from across Latin America and the Caribbean held an online meeting on 18 March to show their solidarity with Argentinean workers and discuss how to stand up against this model of government and the harmful policies that administrations like Milei's seek to impose.  

The meeting began with an update from union members in Argentina. Héctor de Laplace from IndustriALL affiliate AOMA provided an overview of the policies, laws and decrees that are affecting the lives of Argentineans, making conditions more precarious for them and endangering the future of manufacturing in the country. Workers from the region then expressed their support and solidarity.

IndustriALL vice president for Latin America and the Caribbean Lucineide Varjão said:

"What’s happening in Argentina is very sad. We now need to step up our fight for labour rights and strengthen international alliances,” she said. She also reiterated the need for unions to stand united and fight against reforms aimed at dismantling the rights of the working class."

IndustriALL's co-chair for the region, María Soledad Calle, underscored the threat posed by the far right both in the region and worldwide:

"These movements aren’t looking to solve our problems – they want to suppress the working class through labour and pension reforms that just make people’s lives more precarious. Our struggle is not just against the government. It’s against a global economic model that’s endangering workers’ fundamental rights.”

IndustriALL deputy general secretary Kemal Özkan also expressed his support for Argentina’s workers, adding that Milei's policies have driven thousands of workers into poverty, undermined the collective bargaining process and eroded labour rights:

"At IndustriALL, we stand in solidarity with our affiliates and the broader union movement in Argentina in their struggle to protect democracy and to fight against the Milei government’s extreme economic policies. The measures being implemented are harming the country’s workers and are also impacting the global economic model."

He added that these decisions would bring more inequality, more poverty and more unemployment and reduce workers’ quality of life.

Delegates agreed that the situation in Argentina is part of a wider struggle: 

“We must continue to stand together in solidarity. The struggle of Argentina’s workers is one we must all be part of,” 

said a representative of the Los Mineros union, an IndustriALL affiliate in Mexico.

Edson Bicalho, who is general secretary of IndustriALL’s Brazilian affiliate FEQUIMFAR and a regional member of IndustriALL’s Executive Committee, proposed that the regional trade union movement should draw up a statement – to be submitted to both the government and the media – in which it takes a stand against the policies of the Argentinean government, the violence committed during demonstrations and the erosion of workers' rights.

Despite the repression, Argentinean unions indicated that they are ready to fight back. Pedro Wasiejko, general secretary of IndustriALL affiliate FETIA and a regional member of IndustriALL’s Executive Committee, said: 

“We’re not afraid of government repression, but we must act responsibly when we take to the streets.”

Wasiejko said that Argentina had always had a budding manufacturing sector with full employment and that the country’s next progressive government needed to take up the workers’ plight, focusing on ensuring development in the manufacturing sector.

Delegates said that there needed to be a clear and unified strategy for how to fight back. Alejandra Angriman, a regional member of IndustriALL’s Executive Committee and union representative from Argentina, said it was necessary to continue implementing the trade union action plan approved at the committee meeting in May 2024 in response to the Milei government’s attacks on workers.

Those present ended the meeting by agreeing that workers around the world needed to come together to counter the growing threat that the far right posed to democracy, human rights and labour rights. Unions needed to be united and organized at the national, regional and global levels in order to ward off these attacks and ensure a fairer future for generations to come.

Lastly, IndustriALL regional secretary Marino Vani said:

“This meeting to show solidarity with workers in Argentina is part of IndustriALL's plan of action. It has been a great display of the commitment, solidarity and unity among the region’s unions. At IndustriALL, we will continue to work with affiliates in Argentina, the region and worldwide to condemn the attacks on workers in Argentina. Our fight goes on!”

ILO urged to enforce Article 33 on Myanmar

Earlier this month, hundreds of people paraded the streets in Hpakant Town, Upper Kachin state, Southern Kayin State, Eastern Shan State, Sagaing region and the business district of Yangon region, holding banners with the message "ILO – we need article 33 to stop forced labour, child soldiers, forced military conscription and bombing of villages."   
 
The Myanmar military junta who violently seized power on 1 February 2021, has failed to comply with the recommendations of the ILO Commission of Inquiry published in 2023. The Confederation of Trade Unions of Myanmar (CTUM) and Industrial Workers’ Federation of Myanmar (IWFM) have launched a global campaign to invoke the article 33 of the ILO Constitution, which would empower the ILO Governing Body to recommend actions to secure compliance with the commission report.

The Commission report called for the immediate cessation of all forms of violence and torture against trade union leaders that undermine the exercise of freedom of association, the unconditional release of all trade unionists detained and sentenced for participating in legitimate trade union activities, the withdrawal of all criminal charges pending against trade unionists, and the end of the exaction of forced or compulsory labour by the army and the forced recruitment of persons including children into the military.

On 17 March, the ILO Governing Body published a follow-up to the Commission report. It noted the communications of the National Unity Government (NUG), CTUM and IndustriALL Global Union on widespread violations of workers' rights in Myanmar.

The Governing Body had received a report from the Myanmar military junta on 15 January and observed that the report did not provide specific action related to the Commission report. The communication merely reported on "labour relations, dispute resolution, training, awareness-raising and inspection activities." The military invited an ILO high-level delegation to visit Myanmar to assess the working conditions.

As a result, the ILO Governing Body drafted a decision on the restoration of democracy and respect for fundamental rights in Myanmar, recommending the International Labour Conference consider measures under article 33 of the ILO Constitution to secure compliance by Myanmar with the commission report.

“We welcome the draft decision of the ILO Governing Body that gives a positive signal to invoke article 33 of the ILO Constitution. The everyday hardship under the terrorist military junta must end. International organizations must stand up for the universal human rights values advocated by them,” 

says IWFM president Khaing Zar.
 
IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie says:

“We stand in solidarity with the Myanmar people and workers in the fight for the restoration of democracy and the rule of law in the country. IndustriALL will extend every possible support to our affiliates to campaign for the full and immediate implementation of the commission of inquiry recommendations at international and regional forums.”