Building strong unions

South East Asian unions unite for worker safety

17 September 2025 at 10:04

On 11 September 2025, eleven members of the occupational health and safety (OHS) ad hoc committee from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines convened in Phnom Penh to develop a roadmap for a comprehensive safety and health campaign for 2025–2026.

Mental health, a common concern for the network of CMPC workers’ unions

16 September 2025 at 09:39

Mental health emerged as a common concern during the recent online meeting of the CMPC workers’ unions network, which brought together union representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Uruguay, along with Alejandro Valerio, IndustriALL deputy regional secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean and Tom Grinter, IndustriALL pulp and paper sector director.

IndustriALL women lead push for equality ahead of Congress

10 September 2025 at 18:12

Preparations for IndustriALL women’s conference and November Congress in Sydney are well under way, which will be an assessment of work undertaken to promote gender equality and women’s rights.

Strike averted: Nigerian unions vs Dangote

10 September 2025 at 13:19

On 8 September, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) reached a conciliation agreement with Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, averting a nationwide strike over anti-union practices.

Pakistan: Three workers killed in gas explosion in coal mine

28 August 2025 at 10:48

A powerful gas explosion killed three mine workers on 26 August 2025 in northwest Balochistan. The blast, caused by methane gas accumulation, blocked the entrance and suffocated the workers trapped inside. The tragedy highlights the ongoing failure to ensure safe working conditions in the region’s coal mines.

Unions push for safer, organized artisanal gold mining in Zimbabwe

26 August 2025 at 10:45

In Zimbabwe, where artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) accounts for over half of the country’s gold production, unions are stepping up to improve health, safety and organization for informal miners.

Guatemalan unions strengthen power with IndustriALL support

21 August 2025 at 12:49

IndustriALL Global Union is boosting the strength of its affiliates in Guatemala through a series of workshops and high-level meetings with government officials and union leaders.

IndustriALL and ASOS renew global agreement to strengthen workers’ rights

19 August 2025 at 08:25

IndustriALL Global Union and global fashion destination ASOS have renewed their global framework agreement (GFA), reinforcing their mutual commitment to workers’ rights, trade union access, and responsible supply chain practices.

Two workers killed in explosion at US Steel plant

13 August 2025 at 15:36

A powerful explosion at a US Steel plant in Pennsylvania on 11 August has left two workers dead and ten injured.

Connecting paper workers internationally to fight back

13 August 2025 at 12:56

IndustriALL Global Union affiliates in the pulp and paper sector strengthened ties at a recent meeting in Jakarta, emphasising the importance of international connections to resist exploitation by powerful industry players.

Indian unions demand Just Transition in coals and renewables

12 August 2025 at 12:20

With its renewable energy sector expanding rapidly while traditional sources such as coal continue to grow India is currently at a crossroads. Despite the heavy reliance on coal, the country has begun closing mines and shifting to renewables as part of its efforts to achieve the 2070 net-zero target. In this context, it is crucial to understand workers’ concerns and advocate for worker-centered policies to ensure a Just Transition.

Kenyan oil workers win key concessions in dispute with pipeline company

7 August 2025 at 18:35

After intense negotiations and the threat of industrial action, the Kenya Petroleum Oil Workers Union (KPOWU), an affiliate of IndustriALL Global Union, has secured a major breakthrough with the Kenya Pipeline Company Limited (KPC), paving the way for collective bargaining for the 2025–2029 period.

The future is being written. Workers deserve a pen

5 August 2025 at 09:57

In today’s world, the ground for workers is shifting fast. From artificial intelligence to the resurgence of authoritarian politics, we’re being asked to adapt to a future we didn’t choose and aren’t allowed to shape.

Tunisian women trade unionists driving change

28 July 2025 at 17:15

A new generation of women trade unionists in Tunisia is leading the way, building solidarity across sectors, developing concrete solutions for workers, and strengthening the movement from within. Through IndustriALL’s MENA Union Leadership Academy, these leaders are gaining the skills and confidence to shape the future of union work in the country.

Unions push to close South East Asia's gender pay gap

22 July 2025 at 11:04

Twenty women and men trade union leaders from South East Asia made a clear commitment to take action to reduce the considerable gender pay gap in the region.

Fighting for fair pay: South Asian unionists trained by IndustriALL

30 June 2025 at 16:47

On 25–26 June, IndustriALL Global Union held a training workshop in Kathmandu, Nepal, for its South Asian affiliates, focused on the pay equity modules launched earlier this year. More than 20 unionists participated in the event, which aimed to strengthen the capacity of unions’ wage bargaining teams and the women’s committee members to address issues related to pay equity and the value of work. The workshop was part of a series of regional training courses for affiliates on pay equity funded by the FES

Milestone for shipbreaking workers as global Convention comes into force

26 June 2025 at 14:45

Today, 26 June, marks the entry into force of the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (HKC), a landmark step for workers in what is often called the world’s most dangerous industry.

Unions promote labour in energy transition at Global Energy Efficiency Conference

18 June 2025 at 10:57

On 12 and 13 June, IndustriALL Global Union took part in the 10th Global Conference on Energy Efficiency organized by the International Energy Agency (IEA), and in the meeting of the Clean Energy Labour Council held during the conference in Brussels.

Landmark protections mark 2025 International Labour Conference

17 June 2025 at 16:59

Over 5,400 delegates from governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations across 187 ILO member states met for the 113th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC), on 2-13 June in Geneva. The meeting concluded with significant progress on global labour standards, including the adoption of a groundbreaking new convention on biological hazards in the workplace.

India: garment workers defy illegal closure

17 June 2025 at 12:59

On 9 June, Celebrity Fashions Limited (CFL), a garment manufacturing company in India, illegally shut down its factory in Avadi, Tamil Nadu, unlawfully terminating 560 workers overnight. After several rounds of negotiations, managements and workers have reached an agreement, but the struggle for closure compensation continues.

Going global to win locally

16 June 2025 at 15:51

IndustriALL US affiliate IUE-CWA has opened the national bargaining round with GE Aerospace, after it was split into a standalone company following General Electric’s (GE) major restructuring. As GE Aerospace expands its global operations and supply chains, the union recognizes the need to build international solidarity to counteract transnational corporate strategies and protect workers’ interests worldwide, and invited IndustriALL to the opening of the negotiations.

Building momentum for IndustriALL’s 4th Congress

12 June 2025 at 16:48

Amid a backdrop of mounting global tensions and continued threats to workers’ rights, IndustriALL’s Executive Committee met in Geneva to reinforce solidarity and chart the path ahead. A key item on the agenda was preparation for IndustriALL’s 4th Congress, taking place in Sydney this November.

ArcelorMittal workers in Quebec win strong five-year deal

12 June 2025 at 15:51

In a significant win for unionized workers, members of United Steelworkers/Syndicat des Métallos, five local unions representing 2,500 employees across ArcelorMittal’s operations in Northern Quebec have ratified a new five-year collective agreement, last month. The deal, which covers workers at the mine, concentrator, railway, port, pellet plant and office, marks one of the most substantial labour agreements in the region’s recent history, securing major advancements in wages, pensions, working conditions and benefits.

UGT, CCOO and ELA call for historic strike at Iberdrola tomorrow

5 June 2025 at 17:41

Tomorrow, on 6 June, more than 9,500 Iberdrola employees across Spain are set to join the first-ever strike in 126 years in the company. IndustriALL affiliates UGT, CCOO and ELA have called the strike in response to the stalled collective bargaining negotiations and the company's refusal to guarantee workers' purchasing power.

Organize the unorganized in Malaysia

5 June 2025 at 12:01

Following the enforcement of the amended Trade Union Act on 15 September 2024, IndustriALL Global Union affiliates in Malaysia signed a landmark memorandum of agreement (MOA) on 5 June 2025 to strengthen cooperation and solidarity in building stronger, more effective unions nationwide.

Building strong unions

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