IndustriALL calls for immediate peace in Middle East

In May, IndustriALL’s Executive Committee adopted a resolution condemning Israel’s war against the Palestinian people. Since then, the total number of Palestinians killed in Gaza has passed 40 000, Gaza has become a permanent prison with close to 100 per cent poverty and the West Bank is subject to attacks every day, diminishing any hope of a peaceful solution.

More civilians in both Israel and Palestine have been forced to flee to escape the military operations now also involving Lebanon and Iran, exacerbating the already dire living conditions marked by shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.

IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie states:

“As trade unions, we stand up for the right to self-determination of all peoples and states. Our movement is the largest civil society movement in the world, and we cannot allow this to continue in silence; it will be a stain on the history of our movement if we do.
“We advocate for peace, justice, freedom, equal rights, democracy, human dignity, and the sovereign equality of all peoples and states. We urge an immediate and lasting ceasefire and call on all governments to stop sponsoring Israel’s military efforts to crush the Palestinian people and concentrate on achieving a two-state solution.”

Together with other global unions, IndustriALL has consistently called for a just and durable peace through the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 to facilitate a viable economic future for an independent Palestine. In May, IndustriALL travelled with seven other global unions and the International Trade Union Confederation to Palestine to express solidarity with unions in the West Bank and Gaza.

The delegation made clear that “we stand in solidarity with Palestinian trade unions and workers during these challenging times. We are deeply concerned by the grave humanitarian crisis faced by the people of Gaza and stand with Palestinians, Israelis, and people worldwide calling for peace, equality, and justice”.

Photo: 27 November 2023, Palestinians families fleeing the north of the Gaza Strip to go to the south ©️ UNRWA photo by Ashraf Amra

The strike against Tesla

A year on, Tesla is still refusing to enter into dialogue with IF Metall and have taken the extremely rare measure of importing scabs, flying in staff from other Tesla garages in Europe to replace the striking workers in Sweden.

But support for the strike, and the will to defend the Swedish model, is strong. In Sweden, twelve other unions have joined what is called sympathy strikes. Unions representing electricians, longshore men and postal delivery, are taking action meaning, among other things, that Tesla cars are not offloaded in Swedish ports, no work is done on Tesla charging stations and registration plates are not delivered. The sympathy strikes have also spread to the ports in neighbouring Nordic countries, where Danish, Norwegian and Finnish unions are taking action.

The picket line outside Tesla garages are manned not only by striking Tesla workers, but workers from companies with collective agreements with IF Metall. In a show of solidarity, IndustriALL and ITUC visited the striking workers in Gothenburg earlier this month.

Workers from Volvo Trucks stood strong outside the garage on a picket line manned for eight hours per day, seven days a week. IF Metall sets up a roster using workers from companies in the region with a collective agreement. The workers is allowed time off for strike action and IF Metall pays the wages for the strike days.

The Norwegian Government Pension Fund, one of the largest pension funds in the world, owns around one per cent of Tesla, making it one of the largest owners. The CEO of the fund recently told Swedish radio that they meet Tesla management and board on a regular basis and continue to repeat the need for a collective agreement to be signed.

Says IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie:

“It has been a year of strike at Tesla and Elon Musk’s total disrespect for the Swedish model, which has successfully governed the country’s labour market for nearly 100 years, stands in stark contrast to other multinational companies in the country. It is unacceptable and the striking workers have the full support of the 50 million members of IndustriALL behind them.”

Strengthening Armenia’s labour movement: social dialogue workshop sets path for future collaboration

Eduard Pakhlevanyan, chairman of the mining, metallurgy, and jewelry workers’ union, highlighted the increasing difficulty of initiating meaningful social dialogue with employers. According to Pakhlevanyan, many companies avoid discussions with unions, often citing operational challenges as the reason for their reluctance. One of the industry’s most pressing problems is the shortage of skilled workers, a challenge the Armenian government is attempting to address through agreements with major enterprises in the mining and metallurgy sectors. These agreements aim to prepare specialists for large companies, with the enterprises contributing financially to the training programs.

Karine Aloyan, chairperson of the electrical workers’ union, emphasized that the electrical sector is also facing significant difficulties. The number of workers continues to decline, and although renewable energy companies are creating some new jobs, these positions are too few to make a meaningful impact on the broader labour market. The renewable sector’s growth has not been able to absorb the workers displaced from traditional energy sectors, adding to the strain on the workforce.

In contrast, Aristakes Danielyan, chairman of the industrial workers’ union, noted that despite the many challenges, his union has managed to achieve notable successes. The union continues to expand its reach, organizing workers from several new enterprises and establishing member organizations. This persistence has allowed the union to grow, even in a tough labour environment where organizing efforts often face resistance.

Workshop participants also discussed the significant reforms within the Armenian labour movement, spearheaded by Elen Manaseryan since her election as president of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Armenia in November 2023. In just one year, Manaseryan achieved recognition for unions from both the government and employers, an important breakthrough for the labour movement. With support from the International Labour Organization (ILO),a tripartite commission resumed its work.

One of the key outcomes of this renewed dialogue was the establishment of an employers’ association in the mining and metallurgy sector, providing unions with a dedicated social partner for the first time in years. This development opens the door to the possibility of sectoral agreements, but union leaders at the workshop emphasized the need to wait until a General Agreement is signed by the Confederation of Trade Unions, which is expected by the end of 2024. Once the General Agreement is in place, sectoral agreements can follow, ensuring that the conditions negotiated are at least as favourable.

The workshop also discussed the global experiences in social dialogue and labour relations through presentations. It was stressed the importance of Global Framework Agreements, which allow unions to shift their focus beyond direct employers to the broader supply chain. With up to 95 percent of workers involved in global production located in supply chains rather than directly employed by brands, unions must expand their efforts to ensure fair labor practices at every stage of production.

Discussions during the workshop also addressed the growing role of sustainable development goals (SDGs) in shaping labour relations in Armenia. SDGs, introduced by international partners through technical assistance projects, are pushing enterprises to adopt sustainable practices. According to workshop participants, many companies have already begun setting up sustainable development departments. Unions are keen to use these new structures to advocate for workers’ interests, ensuring that they play an active role in social dialogue related to economic, social, and production issues.

Assistant general secretary Kemal Özkan said:

“Boosting the basics of industrial relations and social dialogue is critically important in Armenia. Together with their national confederation IndustriALL’s Armenian affiliates demonstrate strong will to improve working and living conditions in their country. IndustriALL will continue to give support and solidarity to its Armenian affiliates in this important way forward.”

Ukraine reconstruction needs unions

IndustriALL general secretary, Atle Høie, stressed the importance of having these updates to identify where contributions can be made. He emphasized that the reconstruction will be massive and it is essential to have systems in place for how money will be distributed and the trade union movement’s involvement.

Ukrainian unions highlighted their challenges. Raised taxes have worsened the situation, placing additional strain on Ukrainians. Meanwhile, the country is losing highly skilled employees, who are essential for its future restructuring. Unions have also highlighted a lack of internet, electricity, coal, and other essential winter items as major challenges. Women have also been forced to go underground into mines as men are fighting in the war.

As winter approaches, unions said that while the nuclear sector is prepared, 80 percent of energy plants have been destroyed. This devastation places immense pressure on nuclear workers, who are now tasked with sustaining the country’s energy supply. Without energy, Ukraine cannot rebuild. Workers are risking their lives every day as they repair the infrastructure that has been damaged by constant shelling.

Valeriy Matov, president of IndustriALL affiliate Atomprofspilka said:

“We are ready to fight the challenges that are infront of us. We completed the repairs at plants and they are being used. The work is very slow and sometimes not of the highest quality, but we will solve problems one by one. We are also creating some protection systems.”

Much of the workforce has been lost, leading to a significant drop in trade union membership. The absence of membership fees has left unions financially vulnerable, struggling to continue their essential work. Casper Edmonds, an International Labour Organization (ILO) representative, provided an overview of the ILO’s work in Ukraine:

“We are documenting workers’ rights violations, we are following the situation in the mining and energy sectors and seeing that the situation is becoming worse for workers.”

Edmonds further indicated that the ILO is studying the policies of the USA and Japan, noting that there is a commitment to fund Ukraine’s reconstruction. However, it is critical to focus on workers in the energy sector, who will need to be upskilled for tasks ahead.

Unions voiced their urgent needs: transformers, generators, and financial assistance. With salaries painfully low, the need for investment in Ukrainian industries is more critical than ever. They stressed that trade unions must be included in the reconstruction process, not only to protect workers but also to ensure that workers’ needs are met. If unions are excluded, they fear the reconstruction effort may falter.

Brian Milakovsky and Volodymyr Vlasiuk, co-authors of the study: IndustriALL Policy for Ukraine’s Survival – Reversing 30 Years of Deindustrialization, prepared for the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), presented key industrial policy recommendations for Ukraine’s reconstruction. These include establishing an industrial policy council empowered to propose legislative and regulatory reforms that will drive reindustrialization. The council would be supported by expert advisors to enhance Ukraine’s capacity to design and implement effective industrial policies. Crucially, the policy should prioritize localization and local content, while focusing on increasing arms production, decarbonizing energy systems for greater efficiency and resilience, and expanding financial support for reindustrialization efforts.

Mykhailo Volynets, president of Independent Trade Union of Miners – NPGU and Confederation of Independent Unions of Ukraine, (KVPU) said:

“Thank you to IndustriALL for your interest in Ukraine. We are doing everything we can to get the people back on the ground. Trade unions are insisting salaries be on par with inflation and GDP, this must include miners. We are trying to address different trade unions and working hard to get our country back.”

IndustriALL assistant general secretary Kemal Özkan said:

“We will continue to respond to the needs our our affiliates in Ukraine by mobilising all our efforts and resources. Ukrainian unions play an important role in the reconstruction of their country with a viable social and economic life and our solidarity is with them.”

Photo: Shutterstock

Raising awareness of EIS in Bangladesh

The pilot project was launched in 2022, with the support of ILO and covers all RMG factories in Bangladesh and 4 millions workers.

The EIS-pilot project aims to top up the lump sums already paid in Bangladesh for death and permanent disability due to work injury, and to ensure that work-related compensations are line with international labour standards. More than 60 brands have become signatories; they make voluntary payments to top off the fund and bring it up to international standards.

"The EIS Pilot is a bridging solution that aims at bringing Bangladesh to a situation where workers will be fully protected against work-related injury through a strong institution and legal framework. The pilot is a social protection pioneer scheme based on a robust tripartite governance and data management,"

said senior adviser and EIS pilot coordinator Anne Marie Larosa.

Awareness raising workshops for IndustriALL’s affiliates were conducted in both Dhaka and Chattogram. A total of 90 trade union federation leaders, organizers and plant-level union leaders participated. The aim was to provide a detailed understanding of the EIS-pilot programme, with a focus on how deceased workers’ family members and permanently disabled workers can receive compensation in addition to the lump-sum amount that was paid earlier.

The workshops sought to introduce a deeper understanding of the application process for availing benefits under the scheme, including the ways in which unions can assist injured or deceased workers and their family members in filing for compensation under the scheme. Participants discussed the limitation of the scheme that it is only applicable to workers who were injured or killed on or after the initiation of the pilot project on 21 June 2022.

Christina Hajagos-Clausen, IndustriALL textile director, says:

“The employment injury scheme is crucial to ensuring a strong safety net for RMG workers in Bangladesh. We need more global brands to support the pilot project and make it sustainable.”

Victory at Nexperia Philippines

After eight months of engagement with company management including the attempt to file a notice of strike, Nexperia Inc Workers’ Union successfully secured a settlement agreement with the company that the union members who were laid-off can return to work.

The Nexperia Inc Workers’ Union is affiliated with IndustriALL Global Union through MWAP.

The laid-off workers will be the first to be rehired for vacant positions. Both parties agreed that no strike notice will be filed and to abstain from any retaliatory action. The company imposed a moratorium on lay-offs until 31 December 2024.

MWAP secretary, Julius Carandang, said :

“As all of our demands are not yet met, we need to remain determined to strengthen our actions to consolidate, as the capitalist remains greedy and threatens our income. We should be prepared for any result of the collective bargaining negotiations and, if needed, continue our struggle until victory.”

IndustriALL regional secretary for South East Asia Ramon Certeza said :

“I congratulate MWAP and Nexperia Inc Workers’ Union for the successful fight against unfair labour practice and unreasonable layoff plan. The victory will give an inspiration to other semiconductor workers in the region that a collective effort through the union platform can ensure job security and defend workers’ rights.”

In February 2024, Nexperia Philippines closed its sensors department in Laguna, Philippines and commenced the layoffs of 54 workers including three union officials. It planned to lay-off another 72 workers in October and offered a voluntary separation package to workers.

The union called on the company to halt the plans. Despite the claims of low business volume, the workers were required to work during holidays and difficult to get leave approvals.

In April and August 2024, IndustriALL general secretary, Atle Høie, addressed national and global management of Nexperia urging them to reinstate the union officials and respect the last in first out principle stated in the collective agreement.

Photo: Shutterstock

Global union committee advances workers' rights in Inditex' supply chain

On 8-9 October, union representatives from Inditex’ six global production clusters, together with representatives from IndustriALL’s Spanish affiliates CCOO Industria and UGT-FICA discussed and evaluated the 2023-2024 global strategic plan.
Building capacity of trade union leaders and factory management in unionized factories and raising awareness around GBVH were key priorities. The committee noted that there still is a need to improve the implementation of the agreement in non-unionized suppliers.

Many of the production clusters presented on resolved union rights violations. But cases pending resolution through the GFA complaints mechanism were also highlighted. The MENA Inditex council presented a report on continued violations of freedom of association in the MENA region, indicating that the report will be forwarded to Inditex management.

“The Inditex GFA is a tool for unions to improve working conditions, but it is also a way for unions to hold Inditex accountable for any violations in their supply chain. We need to continue to push forward in the implementation and ensure that workers’ rights to freedom on association and collective bargaining are respected and, in cases of labour rights violations, are remedied,”

said IndustriALL textile and garment director Christina Hajagos-Clausen.

The global committee passed three resolutions supporting workers in Inditex’s supply chain. The first resolution supports Cambodian affiliates, demanding that Inditex live up to its public commitments and sign the agreement to support collectively bargained wages in the garment, textile, footwear and travel goods industry in Cambodia. Recently, all IndustriALL Cambodian affiliates jointly sent a letter to the CEO, urging that Inditex sign the legally binding support agreement.

In support of Bangladesh, the committee calls on Inditex to continue its long-term commitment to Bangladesh and to ensure that workers are paid for the periods of unrest, that Inditex does not penalize suppliers for order delays as a result of such factory closures and other barriers to normal production and transportation, and that Inditex continues to place orders with Bangladeshi suppliers to help build confidence in the economic and political future of the country.

The committee also called on Inditex to make its supplier list pubic in order to ensure transparency.

“These resolutions are necessary to ensure global trade union solidarity among the members of the global union committee and to implement trade union action to ensure decent work throughout Inditex’ supply chain,”

said Victor Garrido from Spanish union CCOO Industria.

In addition to meeting with Inditex CRS management, the global committee joined the meeting of the Inditex European Works Council. The meeting highlighted the importance of support and exchange between all workers along the Inditex supply chain – production, warehousing/logistics and retail. The parties pledged to coordinate and to keep communication open.

Workers united in fight for decent jobs and just transition in the changing materials sector

The conference brought together representatives from key sectors including cement, glass, ceramics, and adjacent industries addressing the critical challenges faced by workers amidst industry transformations due to automation, environmental policies, and economic pressures.

The conference condemned widespread use of precarious workers in India, where 80 to 90 percent of workers are hired as subcontract or agency workers, and urged the Indonesian president-elect Prabowo Subianto to abolish the Omnibus Law that empowers employers to hire subcontract workers with no limitation.

Christina Olivier, IndustriALL assistant general secretary, highlighted:

“Materials’ industries are confronted with significant challenges, from environmental concerns and economic pressures to technological advancements and regulatory issues. The cement industry's 7-8 percent share of global CO2 emissions and the glass and ceramics industries' 1-2 percent share each underscore the urgent need for transformative change and decarbonization. And the transformation and change must be just and equitable to address the impacts on workers.”

The statement released by the delegates highlights growing concerns over labour rights violations, precarious working conditions, and the need for a just transition that includes protections for all workers. As materials industries pivot toward greener technologies, trade unions are calling for the creation of sector-specific just transition plans that include also vulnerable workers such as subcontracted and casually employed labourers.

The delegates discussed results of the recently concluded tripartite meeting organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) held from 23-27 September in Geneva where representatives of workers, governments, and employers, led by IndustriALL Global Union and Building and Wood Workers International (BWI), agreed on new steps to transform the building materials industry, focusing on forging a sustainable path that balances economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social justice.

In her opening remarks , Lena Yuliana, chair of the women's committee of the Federation of All Indonesian Workers' Unions – FSP ISSI and co-chair of IndustriALL materials sector, said:

“We must address the increasing use of subcontracting, not only within the supply chain but also in core processes and tackle occupational health and safety challenges. Another crucial challenge is gender mainstreaming, as women’s representation in this sector remains below 10 percent.”

Union leaders from many countries voiced their concerns over worsening working conditions. In India, wage disparities between blue-collar and white-collar workers were reported, with precariously employed workers often earning as little as 30-50 US dollars per month.

The shift toward casual employment systems in many plants has reduced the number of permanent positions, leaving workers without basic benefits like medical insurance and social security. In some countries of the global south, the cement sector was highlighted as being particularly affected, with up to 90 percent of its workforce operating in precarious conditions, often through subcontracting, labour brokers and agency agreements.

“Employers are fragmenting the workforce to maximize profit, but it’s preventing workers from developing skills or securing stable employment in future,”

said Alexander Ivanou, director of IndustriALL materials industries sector.

The delegates also called for stronger government regulations to ensure multinational companies respect human and labour rights, particularly via public procurement and occupational safety standards.

The conference underscored the need for inclusive policies that support gender equality and sustainable employment for young workers. Delegates called for a minimum of 40 percent women’s participation in union delegations and demanded better working conditions, including flexible hours, parental leave, and career development opportunities for women.

Looking forward, the union leaders committed to intensifying their efforts to support workers across borders and committed to campaign for safer working environments, fair wages, and protection of workers' rights throughout the entire supply chain.

“Together, we will build workers' power and ensure that no one is left behind in the transition toward a sustainable and fair future”, the statement concluded.

Adopted unanimously, this declaration reinforces the collective resolve of workers in the materials industries to secure a just transition that prioritizes decent work, safety, and fair treatment for all.

Based on debates and discussions, the delegates also agreed on Action plan listing their future actions and activities before the next Congress of IndustriALL at the end of 2025.

Shipbuilding and shipbreaking world conference calls for sustainable industry transformation

Eileen Yeo Chor Gek, sector co-chair says:

“Unions are essential in creating an inclusive transition to new technologies. We must secure fair labour practices, job stability, and balance for all.”

“Health and safety are the lifeblood of our industry. We’re here to share knowledge and find solutions to improve lives on the ground,”

says Masoa Tusmura, sector co-chair.

Vidyadhar Vasudeo Rane, sector vice chair says:

“International cooperation is the foundation of worker safety. The Hong Kong Convention, marks a transformative step.”

Sector director, Walton Pantland, gave a sector overview highlighting challenges in these sectors:

“Our industry faces intense challenges—from technological changes to gender imbalance and labour shortages. We must bring in fresh talent, focus on safety, and push for equity across generations,”

says Walton Pantland.

A focal point of the conference was the impending enforcement of the Hong Kong International Convention for the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships, set to take effect in June 2025.

This landmark agreement introduces critical protections: mandatory health and safety training, enforced removal of hazards before any shipbreaking, and clear accountability requirements for recycling plants.

However, delegates also voiced concerns about ongoing challenges, including low compliance rates, intense commercial pressures, and weak legal enforcement. The Convention represents progress, but delegates agreed it must be backed by strong international solidarity to hold governments and companies accountable for worker safety.

Delegates from Australia, the U.S., Singapore, Korea, Japan, the Netherlands, Bangladesh, India, Denmark, France, Finland, Norway, Taiwan, Spain and the UK highlighted common concerns such as labour shortages, lack of female representation, organizing migrant workers, and the fast expansion of Chinese production. The forum concluded with a clear message: building robust unions, strengthening social dialogue, and uniting globally are essential.

Going forward the sector will focus on worker rights and safety by using collective bargaining power to prioritize long-term worker interests, create a health and safety network, and champion hazard-sharing best practices. The focus will also be gender and youth inclusion by sharing strategies to improve women’s representation, developing global mentorship programs for female union activists, and include young and white-collar workers.

Further steps include increasing global union strength by fosterIng union cooperation, integratIng migrant and contract workers into collective agreements, form networks in multinational companies and a focus on sustainability and skills development by coordinating with the OECD, supporting Just Transitions in shipbreaking, and advocating for continuous skill development and accessible qualification pathways.

Christina Olivier, assistant general secretary says:

“Now more than ever, we must fortify social infrastructure, ensuring unions can organize and advocate for safer, fairer workplaces.”

Trade unions want a developmental approach to business and human rights in Africa

The forum which had over 500 participants from communities, civil society organizations, governments, employer organizations, human rights organizations, trade union organizations and others was held under the theme: “Promoting responsible business conduct in a rapidly changing context.”

Discussions that took place included on Africa’s potential for economic growth based on beneficiation of critical mineral resources and the benefits from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Other benefits could also be derived from the transition from informal to formal economies. There was emphasis that this development should be sustainable and attained under conditions of responsible business conduct and the protection of the environment. For example, companies that included automotive manufacturer Isuzu East Africa said it supported contracts with suppliers from the informal economy and small to medium scale enterprises thus contributing to growth of the enterprises.

Vacus Kun, United Workers Union of Liberia’s director of education and training, who participated in the national action plan (NAP) processes on business and human rights in Liberia and was on a panel with other trade unionists and global union federation, BWI Africa, said union involvement ensured the inclusion of labour clauses.

“After initially being excluded in the NAP development process, we fought hard for the inclusion of labour issues in the plan when we were invited. We also reached common positions with civil society organizations on climate justice issues.”

UWUL is affiliated to IndustriALL Global Union, and the panel discussions were supported by the FES-AU office.

The NAP has provisions to protect workers against discrimination, casualization, child labour, and included union demands for implementable business and human rights reporting mechanisms and access to remedy using existing laws. Other countries that have developed NAPs are Kenya, Uganda, and Liberia. According to the UNDP, there is progress towards NAPS in Senegal, Ghana, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and other countries. The African Union has also developed a draft business and human rights policy which will be adopted by heads of state and government.

Alex Nkosi, ITUC-Africa coordinator of human and trade union rights, who participated online, said due diligence is important:

“Trade unions are defenders of workers’ rights and are collaborating using on diligence frameworks to defend freedom of association, collective bargaining, and the right to strike.”

Paule France Ndessomin, IndustriALL regional secretary for Sub Saharan Africa said:

“Insisting on responsible business practice allow unions to engage with multinational corporations along the supply chains. This is important as unions seek to engage mining and manufacturing MNCs, ask states to protect workers, as well as enforce remedies against offending employers.”

The forum was organized by the African Commission for Human and Peoples Rights, the UN Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Business and Human Rights Africa, UNICEF, the Working Group on Business and Human Rights, and the UNDP with support from various local, continental, and international organizations.