Confronting global capital

Unions unite to defend rights across Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus

17 December 2025 at 05:49

For two days, trade unions from Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus met at an IndustriALL sub-regional meeting to share experiences, assess the challenges facing workers and unions, and discuss joint actions to increase unity. Although many of the countries have formal rights to organize, bargain collectively and strike, in practice, unions often face procedural hurdles that make action hard. There are high thresholds for strike ballots, broad definitions of essential services, long mediation steps, or strict notice periods.

Investor webinar highlights mounting labour concerns at Next plc

10 December 2025 at 09:44

A growing list of labour-related controversies at Next plc is drawing scrutiny from unions, workers and investors alike. Many of the concerns were highlighted during an investor webinar co-hosted by IndustriALL and ShareAction on 9 December, where speakers warned that the company’s practices are increasingly out of step with its workforce, several of its peers and even parts of its shareholder base.

IndustriALL 4th Congress: Organizing for a Just Future

12 November 2025 at 09:33

At a time when democracy, peace, and decent work are under threat around the world, IndustriALL’s 4th Congress in Sydney brought together the global trade union movement to reaffirm its mission: to organize workers everywhere, defend rights and build a sustainable, just future for all.

Unions demand urgent action as global steel crisis worsens

11 November 2025 at 11:51

Unions issued an urgent call for action on the global steel crisis as the OECD Steel Committee met on 4-5 November in Paris. Any solution to the crisis must give workers a seat at the table, hold companies accountable and guarantee social protections to drive a just transition, unions say.

Mining unions pledge solidarity to confront global capital in a volatile sector

3 November 2025 at 07:25

The mining and diamonds, gems, ornaments, jewellery, and processing (DGOJP) industries, long a cornerstone of global supply chains, are undergoing a deep transformation. Surging demand for battery metals including copper, cobalt, lithium, and nickel fuels the green-energy turn, while rare earths underpin everything from wind turbines to electric vehicles.

Global unions urge strong corporate accountability in UN treaty talks

3 November 2025 at 01:53

IndustriALL and other global unions reaffirmed their support for a binding UN Treaty on Business and Human Rights as the eleventh round of negotiations concluded in Geneva last week, stressing that companies must be held accountable for human rights abuses in their supply chains.

Organizing for a just future: workers must shape the change

30 October 2025 at 01:30

In a few days, more than a thousand trade union delegates from every corner of the world will gather in Sydney for IndustriALL Global Union’s 4th Congress. Together, we will set our direction for the next four years under the theme Organizing for a just future.

Court ruling reinstates retrenched workers at ArcelorMittal South Africa

29 October 2025 at 22:13

The South African Labour Court has stopped the retrenchment of over 3,500 workers at ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) and called for fresh consultations with the union.

Europe’s responsibility in the textile industry: a push for stronger due diligence

10 October 2025 at 11:31

A day of action in Brussels in September highlighted the urgent need for stronger EU due diligence and labour rights protections in the textile industry. Through debates, high-level meetings and a public demonstration, unions and allies called on Europe to deliver real sustainability for workers across global supply chains.

IndustriALL and IF Metall mark 10 years of landmark global framework agreement with H&M Group

3 October 2025 at 09:49

H&M Group, IndustriALL Global Union and IF Metall are celebrating ten years of their flagship global framework agreement (GFA), a pioneering collaboration to strengthen workers’ rights and social dialogue across the company’s global supply chain.

Ten years of advancing workers’ rights under global framework agreement with H&M

2 October 2025 at 10:13

Since 2015, the global framework agreement with H&M has provided a platform for joint work to safeguard the right to unionize and engage in collective bargaining – improving conditions for workers in the factories that form part of the company’s supply chain.

Tesla dispute becomes longest strike in modern Swedish history

18 September 2025 at 10:36

27 October will mark the second anniversary of IF Metall’s strike against Tesla, making it the longest strike in Sweden in modern times. Following talks between IF Metall and Tesla’s Swedish management, with the involvement of the National Mediation Office, it is clear that the parties remain far apart in the ongoing dispute over collective agreements at Tesla’s facilities.

IndustriALL renews call for brands to leave Myanmar

4 September 2025 at 15:38

IndustriALL is repeating its call on several brands including Bestseller, Next and Hunkemöller, to cease operations in Myanmar and immediately begin negotiations with IndustriALL on a responsible exit from a country under military rule where labour and human rights have been eradicated.

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.

Inditex and Next refuse to back groundbreaking agreement to improve conditions for Cambodian garment workers

22 July 2025 at 14:52

After years of negotiations and collective efforts, global garment brands Inditex and Next have so far declined to sign a landmark agreement that would support collective bargaining for better wages and working conditions for Cambodian garment workers, despite having helped develop the initiative and publicly committing to responsible business practices.

Workers continue to fight after Next’s Sri Lanka factory closure

15 July 2025 at 17:19

In May, more than 1,400 workers were reportedly dismissed via a WhatsApp message when UK retailer Next closed its wholly owned factory in Sri Lanka without proper notice. Two months on, the affected workers and their union remain determined to challenge what they call an unlawful and irresponsible closure. Those who refused to sign resignation letters are now unemployed while their case is heard by the Department of Labour’s Employment Unit. Many face severe hardship during Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, with some skipping meals daily.

How Next abandons its workers

24 June 2025 at 09:16

Next is proving not to live up to its fundamental promises when it comes to workers’ rights. From refusing to sign a landmark agreement to improve wages in Cambodia, to abandoning Sri Lankan workers by text and continuing business in Myanmar despite documented risks of grave human rights abuses under the military junta, Next consistently puts profit over people. Even its UK retail staff are denied a living wage, dismissed as “not breadwinners” by the company’s CEO.

Unions chart course for aerospace transformation at global conference

19 June 2025 at 14:00

At IndustriALL’s aerospace world conference in Montreal, Canada, from 11–13 June, trade unionists from around the world came together to confront the aerospace industry’s rapidly evolving challenges, from AI and supply chain shifts to the need for inclusive organizing. Hosted by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers IAMAW and UNIFOR Canada, the conference focused on setting a clear path forward, with a strong mandate for action ahead of IndustriALL’s Congress in Sydney

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.

Digel workers in Türkiye fight union busting

17 June 2025 at 07:35

For more than 150 days, workers sacked from Digel, a German menswear company operating in the Aegean Free Zone in Gaziemir, Izmir, have picketed against union busting.

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.

Health, safety, and Just Transition top the agenda at MENA oil and gas trade union meeting

27 May 2025 at 15:58

On 27-29 April, the IndustriALL Global Union MENA oil and gas union network met in Istanbul, Türkiye, with the participation of unions from Iraq, Bahrain, Morocco, Tunisia, Lebanon, Palestine and Türkiye.

When local struggles go global: how GFAs win real change for workers

15 May 2025 at 15:31

When a local problem meets a global solution, it can transform lives. That’s what global framework agreements (GFAs) are designed to do: protect workers’ rights across borders by holding multinational companies accountable, wherever they operate.

Legally binding Accord delivers safer workplaces

23 April 2025 at 15:10

24 April marks the anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse, one of the deadliest industrial disasters in history. Over 1,100 workers, most of them women, lost their lives when the building housing several garment factories collapsed in 2013.

ICT and electronics unions debate the way forward in uncertain times

17 April 2025 at 16:10

The sector is going through turbulent times with growing global instability, technological disruption and increasing corporate consolidation. This was discussed by over 30 trade union representatives attending the online steering committee meeting of the ICT, electrical and electronics sector, organized by IndustriALL Global Union.

Confronting Global Capital

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