Nigerian unions protest anti-poor policies

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) called this mass action. The labour federations have since met with the Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, to engage on the unions’ demands such as the adoption of economic policy measures that protect workers and the poor, and to reduce government spending.
 
The unions say that the current socio-economic conditions of high inflation, unemployment, poverty, and the increasing national debt, are causing a cost-of-living crisis which is worsened by the removal of the fuel subsidy. Additionally, taxes are increasing, tuition fees have been introduced at public universities, workers will pay more in school fees for their children, teaching hospitals and federal medical centres are being privatised while government spending is increasing. The unions are concerned that these anti-poor policies will push workers and the populace deeper into poverty.
 
Lai Brown, Automobile, Boatyards, Transport, Equipment & Allied Senior Staff Association (AUTOBATE), general secretary says: 

“In the last two months, we have witnessed a series of socio-economic attacks on the workers including an astronomical hike in petrol, arbitrary increases in tuition fees at public institutions, and the devaluation of the naira. These events have caused untold hardships to members of AUTOBATE. The labour movement must keep up pressure until the government meets the legitimate demands of the workers that include a monthly living wage of 200 000 naira ($264).”

 
IndustriALL’s regional co-chair for Sub-Saharan Africa, John Adaji, says:

“IndustriALL affiliates in Nigeria participated in the protests against anti-people policies of the new administration and call for meaningful negotiations with organized labour to address the unions' demands that include the discontent over the removal of the fuel subsidy.” 

“We call upon the Federal Government of Nigeria to meaningfully engage with workers on their demands and to find sustainable solutions to the socio-economic crisis. Effective pro-poor policymaking and social dialogue are needed to improve the livelihoods of the workers in Nigeria,” 

says Kemal Özkan, IndustriALL assistant general secretary.
 
IndustriALL affiliated unions in Nigeria are the Automobile, Boatyards, Transport, Equipment & Allied Senior Staff Association (AUTOBATE), Chemical and Non-Metallic Products Senior Staff Association (CANMPSSAN), National Union of Chemical Footwear Rubber leather and Non Metallic Products Employees (NUCFRLANMPE), National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), National Union of Petroleum & Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers (NUTGTW), Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN), and Steel and Engineering Workers Union of Nigeria (SEWUN).

Brazil's unions hold march against high interest rates

According to World Bank data, Brazil has some of the highest real interest rates in the world. Workers in the country argue that the high rates are deepening inequality, increasing people’s debt levels, hindering economic growth and hampering job and income generation.

This is why they took to the streets outside the central bank’s headquarters in Porto Alegre's old town during a two-day meeting of the bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (Copom). At this meeting, Copom announced that the base rate known as Selic would be lowered from 13.75% to 13.25%, a cut of only 0.5 percentage points, which the unions describe as unacceptable and insufficient.

The president of IndustriALL's affiliate CNM/CUT, Loricardo de Oliveira, said that the demonstration would help the central bank to see that its interest rate policy is hurting Brazil’s working class: 

“We need to cut interest rates in order to have an industrial policy that invests in production and not just in the financial system. Interest rates must be at a level that is compatible with Brazil’s future – one in which strategic development helps to improve industrial production, decent work, income levels and workers’ rights.”

Meanwhile, Miguel Torres, president of another IndustriALL affiliate, CNTM/Força Sindical, warned that:

“High interest rates are sucking the blood out of our country and make development impossible. The interest that the government must pay is severely restricting the country's growth potential.”

Demonstrators called on the central bank’s president Roberto Campos Neto to stand down, claiming that he is keeping interest rates high to sabotage economic growth. Campos Neto was appointed by former president Jair Bolsonaro and his term of office ends on 31 December 2024. 

A high Selic base rate costs Brazil billions of reais that could be used for investments in key sectors such as health care, education, housing, environment and industrial development. 
 

Global summit praises Lesotho GBVH agreements

The summit participants concurred that the Lesotho agreements were a model for Southern Africa. Agreements were signed in 2019 between three global garment brands – Levi Strauss & Co., Kontoor Brands (Lee and Wrangler Jeans), and Children’s Place – and trade unions and women’s organizations to stop gender-based violence and harassment at Nien Hsing textile factory, which employed over 10 000 workers.

These agreements were reached after an investigation, by the Workers’ Rights Consortium (WRC), exposed shocking accounts of gender-based violence and sexual harassment at Nien Hsing’s five factories. The factory managers and supervisors were the perpetrators. To end this, the agreements recommended corrective programmes to stop GBVH that included reporting mechanisms, disciplinary action against harassers including termination of contracts, and GBVH awareness, training, and education programmes. Participants said since the anti-GBVH programme implementation began in 2021, cases at the factory have declined and they wanted the agreement to be extended to other factories. 

In his special remarks the Kingdom of Lesotho’s Prime Minister Ntsokoane Samuel Matakane, said: 

“Lesotho upholds the workers’ rights that are protected in the constitution and in ILO conventions which include Convention 190. The government promotes a workplace environment free from violence and harassment and is finalizing guidelines to stop sexual exploitation.”

The event was supported by several organizations that included the American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), Federation of Women Lawyers in Lesotho (FIDA), International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF), ITUC, ITUC-Africa, WRC, Women and Law in Southern Africa Research and Education Trust (WLSA), and Workers Rights Watch.

The unions present at the event, which are signatories to the agreements, were the Independent Democratic Union of Lesotho (IDUL) which is affiliated to IndustriALL, United Textile Employees (UNITE), and National Clothing Textile and Allied Workers Union (NACTWU). 

Shawna Bader-Blau, executive director, Solidarity Center said: 

“After years of struggle by unions and especially women workers around the world to advance workplaces free from gender-based violence and harassment, it is heartening to see pro-labour governments within the M-POWER initiative speaking with one voice that violence and harassment at work is an unacceptable form of abuse that must end if workers are going to be able to realize just and fair workplaces.”


“Unions and women’s rights organizations in Lesotho have shown it’s possible to negotiate binding agreements within the global garment supply chain to protect fundamental workers’ rights.”

The M-POWER programme was also launched in Zambia earlier this year under the theme: “Amplifying the voices of workers to safeguard democracy in Africa.”


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

“Developing mechanisms and anti-GBVH programmes are important steps in the implementation of Convention 190 to end violence and harassment in the world of work as well as adopting workplace policies as explained in Recommendation 206. Importantly, these programmes are more effective if all stakeholders including unions are involved as is the case with Lesotho. We hope the M-POWER programme will be extended to other countries in Southern Africa.”


The summit’s co-hosts were the Multilateral Partnership for Organizing, Worker Empowerment and Rights (M-POWER), Lesotho Federation of Trade Unions (LFTU), and Lesotho Labour Council (LLC). 


Lesotho is the seventh country in Sub-Saharan Africa to ratify Convention 190 after the Central Africa Republic, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Somalia, and South Africa.

Belarusian trade unions remain liquidated one year later

Throughout the last year IndustriALL has strongly condemned the court’s decision and does not recognize it. IndustriALL considers the decision null and void and continues to support its affiliates. In a letter to the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) director general, IndustriALL stated that it will continue to assist and fully support the independent trade unions in Belarus to guarantee organizational continuity. IndustriALL has also called for the release of imprisoned trade union leaders.

In November, IndustriALL’s Executive Committee adopted a resolution condemning the dissolution of the independent trade unions, demanding the immediate release of all trade unionists in Belarus.

In June this year global unions, trade union activists and delegates who attended the 111th International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva gathered at the Broken Chair to call for the immediate release of imprisoned Belarusian trade unionists and an end to the repression of workers’ rights. Delegates at the demonstration demanded that all charges against the imprisoned leaders be dropped and that international organizations are given access to visit the country.

Earlier that week, the ILC adopted a resolution under Article 33 of the ILO constitution, challenging Belarus’ continued disregard for workers’ rights and the arrest of countless trade unionists. Article 33 tackles non-compliance with a report of an ILO commission of inquiry. This commission was established in 2003 regarding violations of ILO Conventions 87 and 98. This adoption means that member states will take all the possible steps to ensure that Belarus implements the recommendations of that enquiry. This could involve sanctions but also support for those persecuted by the regime and their struggle for international workers’ rights.

IndustriALL's assistant general secretary Kemal Özkan says,

“IndustriALL is committed to supporting and assisting independent Belarusian unions in their struggle to operate under any circumstances. We are fighting against a dictator and are united with the workers in Belarus. We will not give up until the political hostages are freed. This is a fight for their democracy and for fundamental workers’ rights. The ILC decision on Article 33 is an important step forward for us. Our struggle continues and we will win.” 

 
 

IndustriALL and TKE unions collaborate to empower workers

Wolfgang Krause, IG Metall works council representative and spokesperson of the TKE international committee said:

“The national situations in TKE plants demands our immediate attention. We must stand in solidarity with workers worldwide and take collective action to improve their working conditions, protect their rights, and ensure a fair and respectful workplace.”

 
The meeting also dedicated time to shaping the TKE global union council, a body that would provide a platform for workers and unions to voice their concerns, improve the working conditions, and advocate for workers’ rights on a global scale. Discussions focused on the committee’s structure, functions, and mechanisms for collaboration between unions and with TKE management.
 
This council holds immense potential to serve as leverage for workers and trade unions, providing them with tools and collective power to address their problems and seek viable solutions. Through meaningful engagement and social dialogue, the committee aims to foster an inclusive and respectful working environment for all TKE employees. 
 
Christine Olivier, IndustriALL’s assistant general secretary, said

“The formation of this council is a significant milestone in our journey towards empowering workers and protecting their rights within TKE. It will serve as a vital platform for worker representation, allowing them to actively participate in a decision-making process which impacts their lives.”

 
The meeting concluded with a declaration which calls on TKE affiliates to engage a consultation on a TKE global action day to raise awareness about pressing issues and demand change. It also urges management to acknowledge and address the concerns raised by workers and trade unions, promoting a culture of respect and collaboration.
 

“Today, we stand united in our determination to create a better future for TKE workers. Through the establishment of the global union committee and our collective efforts, we will strive to improve working conditions, protect workers' rights, and ensure their voices are heard. Together, we have the power to bring about positive change,”

said Christine Olivier.

Promoting C190 implementation in Nigeria's Textile Sector

The two- day training in Lagos hosted by IndustriALL affiliate NUTGTWN,  aims to strengthen the capacity of women leaders to push against GBVH. The union said the capacity building programme is aimed at providing information, raising awareness, promoting learning, knowledge building, and skills needed to advance gender equality at the workplace. This training focuses on assisting the establishment of a union network of activists who advocate for gender equality at work. The activists will also fight against social, cultural, and traditional norms that continue to oppress working women.
 
Representatives from FES Nigeria, ILO-ACTRAV, the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Solidarity Centre, emphasized the importance of using C190 and Recommendation 206 as tools to address grievances related to GBVH and recognize domestic violence as a workplace issue. 
 
Nigeria ratified the Convention in 2022. Discussion topics included dealing with grievances and disputes on GBVH timely; the recognition of domestic violence as a workplace issue; creating gender-responsive workplace mechanisms to protect whistleblowers and victims; and involving shop stewards and occupational health and safety committees in supporting victims.
 
The workshop made recommendations towards better representation of women in leadership positions at local and national levels, identifying women’s priorities, supporting mentorship programmes, creating dedicated spaces for women workers and the inclusion of women in negotiating teams. Furthermore, the inclusion of childcare and other support services was highlighted to facilitate increased women's participation in the workplace.
 
Remi Ihejirika, FES Nigeria programme manager said,

"building unions is about inclusiveness. This is why it is important to address gender equality. GBVH is about the abuse of power which adversely affects women and sometimes this leads to suicides. GBVH should not be condoned as many women suffer in silence."


"Unions can adopt feminist strategies to promote equal rights for women workers. Some of the strategies are diversity, respect, tolerance, understanding, voice and agency,"

said Bashiratu Kamal a gender and labour expert from Ghana.
 
Medinat Balogun, gender desk officer for NUTGWN and committee member of the IndustriALL Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) regional women’s committee said:

"Women trade unionists have made progress to ensure non-discrimination at work, equal pay for work of equal value, and adherence to ILO conventions ratified by Nigeria. However, women need to be increasingly aware of their rights at work and must fight against GBVH to ensure safe workplaces."

John Adaji, IndustriALL regional co-chair for Sub-Saharan Africa said:

"Over the years and with IndustriALL’s support, unions have carried out programmes to integrate women workers’ issues through the creation of structures, affirmative action, and support given to organizing activities. But we need men to be part of the discussions on ending GBVH as they have been identified by research as the main perpetrators."

Supported by FES Nigeria, the workshop serves as a follow-up to the recommendations made at the Sub-Saharan Africa feminist conference in Cape Town in June, with the FES Trade Union Competence Centre for Sub-Saharan Africa providing valuable support. The strides taken by Nigeria's textile and garment sector towards gender equality through C190 training mark a significant step in creating safer and more inclusive workplaces.
 
 
 
 

Sri Lanka: unions protest government’s debt restructuring and labour law changes

The government’s decision to introduce the domestic debt restructuring plan, part of the “bailout” package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which involves using the hard-earned provident fund of workers, comes at a time when working people of the country are already living under terrible conditions due to extremely high inflation and currency devaluation, which has led to a significant decline in their real income.

In the debt restructuring process to ensure 'debt sustainability' which is IMF's major concern , the major burden will be borne by working people of Sri Lanka given debt relief from international sovereign bond holders which includes multilateral development banks, is only 35 per cent.

Under the domestic debt optimisation, treasury bills held by the Central Bank and the treasury bonds held by superannuation funds, including the Employee Provident  Fund and Employee Trust Fund, will be used to restructure the debt by lowering the interest rates charged on these bonds. However this move only covers a small portion with about 61 per cent of the total domestic debt excluded from the program including borrowings from domestic commercial banks. 
 
Anton Marcus, joint secretary of IndustriALL’s affiliate Free Trade Zone and General Services Employees Union, voiced his concern, stating,

“Through this move, the government is trying to put the entire burden on the working class of this country. This is unacceptable. Trade unions have asked the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka in a joint letter to convene a meeting with all of the unions to review the pros and cons of the plan.”
 

In June, four trade unions including IndustriALL’s affiliates, were removed from the reconstituted National Labour Advisory Council. This happened amidst the government’s  attempts to pass anti-worker labour law amendments. The proposed amalgamation of 48 labour laws into a single one has raised concerns among unions, as it could abolish  internationally recognised standards regarding working hours, overtime, freedom of association and collective bargaining, potentially leaving workers vulnerable. Employers may also gain the authority to terminate workers for organizing and forming unions.
 
Swasthika Arulingam, president of IndustriALL’s affiliate, Commercial and Industrial Workers’ Union, stated,

“The changes proposed to labour laws by the Sri Lankan government to labour legislations significantly erode workers' rights and remove any protection they may have had under the previous laws. Moreover, by excluding independent unions from NLAC, it’s clear that the government wants to weaken workers’ representation and disempower them.”

 
Kemal Özkan, assistant general secretary of IndustriALL Global Union, expressed solidarity with Sri Lankan affiliates, urging the government to withdraw the controversial labour law reforms and protect workers’ savings from being used for debt restructuring.
 
 

Young trade union leaders strengthen union action through international exchange

Supported by the FES (Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung), the program focused on studying the German trade union system and IG Metall's structure.
 
Over the course of a week, the participants delved into the features of the German trade union system, with a specific focus on IG Metall's organizational structure, mirroring previous years' examination of the Argentinean and Brazilian models.

Facilitated by a team of educators and trade union experts from IndustriALL and IG Metall, the program emphasized a comparative approach, allowing young leaders to gain insights into various worker representation models and trade union practices across the three countries.
 
Particular interest was shown in the German system of co-determination, involving works councils, and the dual training system for apprentices. These achievements were acknowledged as the result of trade union organizations' collective struggles for improved working conditions, rather than mere luck or employer goodwill.
 
An essential aspect of the exchange program was the development and implementation of trade union action plans aimed at organizing young workers within their respective workplaces. Throughout the three-year program, participants worked on these action plans, and during the final day of the exchange, they shared the outcomes and implementation status of their initiatives.
 
The action plans displayed a wide array of approaches, tailored to the unique realities, needs, and resources of each participating union. Some unions organized football tournaments accompanied by discussions on the union's mission and purpose, while others focused on empowering women workers through training seminars or improving their daily lives with dedicated women's changing rooms.

Additionally, some unions concentrated on establishing trade union schools and training seminars to equip their members with knowledge about workers' rights and labour laws.
 
Despite the varying methods, the ultimate objective of all the action plans remained the same – to strengthen the trade union organizations to which the participants belonged.
 
Participants unanimously agreed that, regardless of the context in which they operate, the core struggle remains the same. They acknowledged that language might separate them, but their shared commitment to advancing workers' rights and advocating for better conditions unites them.

The program not only fostered mutual understanding but also promoted camaraderie among young trade union leaders across borders.

“Over the course of 12 years, this exchange program has been instrumental in fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among young trade union leaders from South America and IG Metall. Many past participants have risen to prominent positions within their respective unions, serving as general secretaries, presidents, and international secretaries.

The program's success has demonstrated the significance of international exchanges in strengthening trade unions and building a global network of young leaders committed to advocating for workers' rights and social justice”

said Sarah Flores IndustriALL´s global youth coordinator.
 
 

Korean trade unions protest against escalating repression

During the rallies, KMWU leaders presented several demands, including the reform of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Adjustment Act (TULRAA), starting with articles 2 and 3. They also demanded wage hikes for all workers, starting with an increase in the minimum wage. Additionally, the union called for the rejection of the proposed 69-hour work week, fearing its impact on worker wellbeing. Central demands included putting a stop to trade union repression by the government and the resignation of the Yoon Suk-Yeol regime.

KMWU President Yoon Jang Hyeok stressed the urgency of their demands, stating that the proposed labour law reform will leave workers vulnerable and without adequate protection. He emphasized that the strike was about more than just labour rights; it was a stand for democracy, peace, and the livelihoods of ordinary people. The union pledged to unite with other social forces to address the escalating repression.

The nationwide strike, which took place from 3 to 15 July, was part of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions' (KCTU) broader protest against the government's actions towards trade unions. More than 100,000 KMWU members, including workers from Hyundai Motor, Hyundai Mobis, Daewoo Shipbuilding, and Hyundai Heavy Industries participated in the strike.

The situation in the country escalated when the Korean government conducted raids on trade union offices, leading to the arrest and charging of numerous unionists. Tragically, this repression resulted in the self-immolation of unionist Yang Hoe-Dong.

"IndustriALL stands in solidarity with the KMWU and the Korean working class, we firmly urge the Korean government to fully respect workers' rights. The condemnation of labour repression in Korea by the ILO director-general, coupled with the four complaints lodged against the government at the ILO's Committee on Freedom of Association, highlight the urgency of addressing these issues."

Atle Høie, IndustriALL General Secretary.

Three workers killed in explosion at Indian cement factory

The victims were identified as Lakesh Kumar Gayakwad (21), Shatruhan Lal Verma (27), and Umesh Kumar Verma (26), they were subcontractors hired by a private company to carry out pipeline-related repair work at the UltraTech factory. 

The incident has drawn attention to the issue of precarious employment in the Indian cement industry. According to the Indian National Cement Workers' Federation (INCWF), approximately 83 per cent of workers in the industry work under precarious conditions. This tragic event underscores the importance of ensuring workplace safety for all workers, especially those engaged in contract work.

 

Following the accident, INCWF demands fair compensation for the families of the deceased workers as immediate relief. 

“We demand that there be a limit to precarious employment in cement industry and an increase of permanent jobs. We urge UltraTech's management to implement stringent measures to improve workplace safety, particularly for contract workers, to prevent similar incidents in the future,”

said Deoraj Singh, general secretary of INCWF.

UltraTech Cement is one of India's leading cement manufacturers and is a part of the Aditya Birla Group (ABG), operating across 26 countries. However, recent incidents have raised concerns about worker safety within the company, prompting calls for enhanced safety protocols and practices.

In 2021, at least seventeen accidents occurred in the cement industry in which around 21 workers lost their lives and 20 workers were seriously injured. In 2022, at least ten accidents occurred in which nine workers were killed and 29 were seriously injured. The Majority of these workers were contract workers.

“One of the dangers of outsourcing operations is that safety procedures get compromised. This is not a standalone incident. It is the responsibility of UltraTech management to ensure that all workers have access to safety mechanisms,”

said Apoorva Kaiwar, IndustriALL’s South Asia regional secretary.