Social Justice and Globalization

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.

Indian unions call for increased fight against precarious work

5 May 2025 at 12:26

Last week, on 28 April, at IndustriALL’s India Council meeting, affiliated unions discussed challenges facing the trade union movement in the country, including the continued rise of precarious employment, the impending implementation of anti-worker labour laws and the exclusion of unions from national-level discussions on the energy transition.

Organizing and union building in the India's cement sector

5 March 2025 at 15:42

A two-day workshop was organized for unions in the cement sector in Mumbai, India, on 26–27 February 2025. The key issues discussed during the presentations and discussions were the rising number of precarious workers, which has increased to 83 per cent. The recruitment of permanent workers has been halted for the past ten years, with no new hires to replace retiring employees. Organizing contract workers remains a significant challenge, leading to a weakening of unions due to the declining density of members.

Indian auto unions unite to strengthen workers' rights and conditions

3 March 2025 at 13:59

India’s automotive sector is expanding fast, but behind the industry’s success the workforce struggles with low wages, precarious jobs and dangerous working conditions. In response, Indian auto unions have come together on 3 March, in Pune to strengthen their coordination and develop strategies to protect workers' rights.

Bangladesh: nine per cent annual increment not enough

16 December 2024 at 12:06

Bangladesh’s labour and employment advisor announced last week that ready-made garment (RMG) workers will receive an additional four per cent pay increase from December 2024, pending a new minimum wage. With the five per cent annual increment previously announced by the minimum wage board, the total annual increment is nine per cent. Unions say it is not enough amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Brazilian court clears BHP, Samarco and Vale of environmental crimes in Mariana

21 November 2024 at 13:18

The Brazilian justice system has cleared mining companies: Samarco Mineração, BHP and Vale of criminal charges relating to the environmental disaster near the city of Mariana in 2015. IndustriALL condemns the companies for manslaughter and environmental crimes and calls on them to take responsibility for the catastrophe.

Unions in Asia-Pacific call for sustainable worker centric industrial policies

11 November 2024 at 12:29

Asia-Pacific has witnessed massive industrial growth in recent years. However, while investments in manufacturing industries have increased, workers are suffering from growing inequality, skyrocketing inflation, stagnant wages, precarious work and growing attacks on workers’ rights. The concerns are pushing unions in the region to pursue an agenda of sustainable industrial policy, which includes measures to safeguard and create well-paid and secure jobs and guarantees of sustainable employment.

Pakistani affiliates take action on 7 October

17 October 2024 at 09:10

On 7 October, World Day for Decent Work, IndustriALL affiliates in Pakistan held countrywide protest action against precarious work, anti-worker labour law reforms, and unsafe working conditions.

Smurfit Kappa workers in Peru strike for a living wage

16 September 2024 at 14:23

Union members at Smurfit Kappa Peru have been on strike since 6 September, demanding a living wage.

Nigerian unions and federal government agree on new minimum wage

25 July 2024 at 10:57

Trade union federations in Nigeria, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) signed a new minimum wage agreement of 70 000 Naira ($43) with the Federal Government of Nigeria on 18 July which will be reviewed after three years.

Indian electronics workers unite amid industry challenges

17 June 2024 at 14:45

In India’s tech hub, Bangalore, union representatives from the electronics sector met for a workshop on organizing and union building in the ICT, electrical, and electronics sector. The event aimed to empower workers and strengthen unions across India's electronics supply chain.

Excessive violence against labour protestors in Iraq

5 June 2024 at 10:00

On 2 June 2024, Iraqi security forces escalated their violence against contract workers at the South Refineries Company, who were peacefully protesting for permanent contracts. The brutality was described as "deadly" by Iraqi unions.

Understanding living wages

29 May 2024 at 16:52

On 7-8 May, IndustriALL hosted a training workshop in Tunis, focusing on living wages and collective bargaining for unions representing Swedish companies in Tunisia's textile and garment sector. This initiative, conducted in collaboration with the Fédération Générale du Textile, de l'Habillement, Chaussure et Cuir (FGTHCC-UGTT), brought together approximately 20 unionists from companies like Autoliv, Sancella, and Alva.

Cambodian and Philippine youth fight against precarious work

29 May 2024 at 10:24

With widespread and increasing use of contract work, young unionists in Cambodia and the Philippines are determined to fight the trend.

IndustriALL and global brands sign legally-binding agreements supporting collective bargaining and improvements in wages

23 May 2024 at 15:38

In a breakthrough for the textile and garment industry in Cambodia, IndustriALL Global Union is signing legally binding agreements with global brands, for the first time achieving brand-supported collective bargaining agreements in the sector.

Big win for contract workers in Pakistan

17 April 2024 at 13:12

After ten years, on 4 April, 55 contract workers at IFFCO Pakistan were finally granted the status of permanent workers by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Indian unions fight for workers’ rights

9 April 2024 at 11:26

IndustriALL Global Union’s general secretary Atle Høie’s recent visit to Delhi comes ahead of the upcoming general election in the country where trade unions are campaigning against the ruling party’s anti-worker policies.

Fighting for living wage in Malaysia and Philippines

5 April 2024 at 11:37

Malaysian and Philippine trade unionists expressed grave concern about the high cost of living and that they are united in demanding a living wage for workers and their families.

ILO agreement takes important step for living wages

21 March 2024 at 10:00

On 13 March, the International Labour Organization (ILO) reached an agreement on the living wage issue. The agreement, reached during a meeting of experts on wage policies, including living wages last month, was endorsed by the ILO’s Governing Body, last week.

Nigerian unions protest increasing cost of living

28 February 2024 at 16:01

On 27 and 28 February thousands of Nigerian workers went on nationwide protests against the increasing cost of living caused by what unions summarize as anti-worker economic austerity measures, that were introduced by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Revised minimum wage in Bangladesh is not enough

28 February 2024 at 12:50

Last year, the minimum wage for Bangladesh’s ready made garment (RMG) was revised, but this year’s demand from the textile workers, who are involved in the production of the fabric, has gone unheard as last week, the wage board fixed the minimum wage for cotton textile sector workers at BDT10,000 (US$90).

IndustriALL joins forces with the Global Coalition for Social Justice

20 February 2024 at 11:00

To reinforce global efforts towards social justice and workers' rights, IndustriALL Global Union has joined the Global Coalition for Social Justice, led by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Indian garment workers protest delay in wage increase

14 February 2024 at 11:59

On 12 February, the Garment and Fashion Workers’ Union (GAFWU), affiliated to IndustriALL through Unions United, protested outside the labour commissioner’s office in Chennai, India, against the prolonged delay in the notification of the new minimum wage.

Unions raise concerns over migrant workers in Israel

30 January 2024 at 16:41

Trade unions in South Asia raised concerns over migration of precarious workers to Israel as the war in Palestine continues.

20 per cent wage increase for textile workers in Tunisia

17 January 2024 at 17:05

Textile workers in Tunisia have received a 20 percent wage increase distributed over 2024, 2025 and 2026. The increase comes after an agreement on 12 January between IndustriALL affiliate Fédération Générale du Textile, de l'Habillement, Chaussure et Cuir - FGTHCC-UGTT and the employers’ organization Fédération Nationale du Textile FENATEX - UTICA.

Social justice & globalization

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