Mastodawn

Espen L Mar 29, 2023

Belarus: The regime has continued persecution of trade unionists through imprisoning and liquidating trade unions. Last week, the ILO Governing Body concluded that any ILO engagement with Belarus will be frozen. In June, the ILO Conference will have to approve or disapprove this resolution. This allows ILO members to take measures to compel the Lukashenko regime to implement the recommendations, including by means of the severance of diplomatic and economic relations. https://www.svenssonstiftelsen.com/post/belarus-ilo-tightens-pressure-over-workers-rights-violations

Belarus: ILO tightens pressure over workers’ rights violations

The Lukashenko regime has continued the persecution of trade unionists, imprisoning several union leaders and staff in recent months and liquidating trade unions. Last week, the tripartite ILO Governing Body concluded that any ILO engagement with Belarus will be frozen, and submitted a resolution to this year’s International Labour Conference. International pressure will continue and build until the Lukashenko government respects workers’ fundamental rights to freedom of association and collecti

Svensson

Espen L Feb 9, 2023

Belarus: Last week, the KGB updated its terrorist list, which now includes 1,011 people. Lukashenko's political opponents and democratic trade union leaders are in the same company as international terrorists. Examples are Artsiom Zharnak from Free Trade Union of Metalworkers, and Aliaksandr Mishuk, vice-chairman of the Belarusian Independent Trade Union. In the near future this list will be added up with other trade union activists. https://www.salidarnast.info/post/what-is-the-threat-of-terrorist-status-for-imprisoned-union-activists

What is the threat of "terrorist" status for imprisoned union activists?

Last week, the Committee for State Security (KGB) updated its terrorist list, which now included 1,011 people. Lukashenko's political oppone

Salidarnast.info

Espen L Feb 2, 2023

South Korea’s intelligence agency raided the offices of the KCTU, the country’s largest organization of independent unions, and an affiliate on Jan 18. The raid has raised fears that the conservative government is reverting to dictatorship-era methods of attacking labour by conflating organizing with threats to national security. The government is likely to step up its attack on workers #svenssonprize https://labornotes.org/2023/01/south-korea-intelligence-agency-raids-top-union-confederation

South Korea: Intelligence Agency Raids Top Union Confederation

South Korea’s intelligence agency raided the offices of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, the country’s largest organization of independent unions, and an affiliate on January 18. The high-profile raid, over alleged ties between four former and current union officers and North Korean agents, has raised fears that the conservative government is reverting to dictatorship-era methods of attacking labor by conflating organizing with threats to national security.

Labor Notes

Espen L Feb 1, 2023

Myanmar: The Council of Global Unions has called for renewed global efforts to restore democracy and for official recognition of Myanmar’s National Unity Government. The brutal repression since the coup has included the killing and detention of trade union representatives. Key focus must be placed on the involvement of multinational companies that continue to do business with the junta, including through supply chain inputs that feed the military’s domestic arms industry. https://www.ituc-csi.org/myanmar-second-anniversary-of-coup

Myanmar: Second anniversary of military coup

Today marks the second anniversary of the murderous coup by the Myanmar military, which has killed nearly 3,000 people including dozens of children. In a statement released yesterday, the Council of Global Unions has called for renewed global efforts to restore democracy and for official recognition of Myanmar's National Unity Government (NUG). Following the vicious military coup, the NUG was formed by members of Myanmar's elected government in exile to coordinate international opposition to (...)

Espen L Jan 31, 2023

USA: The intense opposition from many major employers to workers who are trying to unionize is a major factor in the recent decline in labour union density in the US, with the US having among the lowest union densities compared with other industrialized nations around the world. The decline comes even as the US labour movement experienced a surge in popular support in 2022, with a spike in union election filings and growing support for unions in polls. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jan/31/louisville-kentucky-trader-joes-workers-union-drive

‘It can be scary’: how corporate America is hitting back against unions

Employers are using heavy-handed tactics to prevent workers from organizing, and US labor union density is falling as a result

The Guardian

Espen L Jan 25, 2023

Mexico: On the frontline of the multi-million-dollar berry industry, Mexican agricultural workers endure squalid living conditions and consistent work insecurity as they undertake back-breaking work to line the pockets of multinational companies. https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/from-us/briefings/berry-industry-blues-labour-rights-in-mexicos-berry-supply-chains/

Berry industry blues: Labour rights in Mexico's supply chains - Business & Human Rights Resource Centre

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre

Espen L Jan 24, 2023

Belarus: Since April 2022 the government has been carrying out systematic repression against independent trade unions. Three dozen trade unionists have been sentenced to 64 years in prison and 12.5 years of restricted freedom. The authorities call independent trade unions 'extremists' and 'Western agents' and conduct smear campaigns, making it clear that anyone associated with the unions, runs the risk of being prosecuted. https://www.svenssonstiftelsen.com/post/release-belarusian-trade-unionists #Belarus #Svenssonprize #BKDP #Salidarnast

Release Belarusian trade unionists!

Since April 2022 the Belarusian government has been carrying out systematic repression against independent trade unions in Belarus. Till now three dozen trade unionists have been sentenced to 64 years in prison and 12.5 years of restricted freedom. The Belarusian authorities constantly call independent trade unions 'extremists' and 'Western agents' and conduct smear campaigns, making it clear that anyone associated with the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP) and its organizati

Svensson

Espen L Jan 19, 2023

Zimbabwe: The new Health Services Bill, which came into force 10th January, forbids health workers who are classified as an “essential” service from striking for more than three days. Those who do not comply face a fine or imprisonment of up to six months. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/jan/12/health-workers-in-zimbabwe-dismayed-as-law-curbing-strikes-is-passed

Health workers in Zimbabwe dismayed as law curbing strikes is passed

Controversial bill to stop industrial action criticised as an already struggling sector fears losing more staff in a damaging brain drain

The Guardian

Show thread

Espen L Jan 19, 2023

ITUC has denounced the brutality and harassment of trade unionists https://www.ituc-csi.org/eswatini-ituc-denounces-brutality

Eswatini: ITUC denounces brutality and harassment of trade unionists by authorities

The ITUC is deeply concerned by the recent attacks on trade unionists and pro-democracy campaigners by government forces in Eswatini. On the 11 January 2023, the name of Sticks Nkambule, the Secretary General of the Swaziland Transport, Communication and Allied Workers Union (SWATCAWU), was published by the police as a wanted person for alleged criminal conduct. This follows the union's announcement of a “job stay away”, 13-14 December 2022, with a demand to improve working conditions and the (...)

Espen L Jan 19, 2023

Eswatini: On the 11 January 2023, the police published a warrant for Sticks Nkambule, the Secretary General of the Swaziland Transport, Communication and Allied Workers Union (SWATCAWU), for alleged criminal conduct. This follows the union’s announcement of a “job stay away”, 13-14 December 2022, with a demand to improve working conditions and the release from prison of two members of the Parliament. On 29 Dec armed police raided his village and harassed his family. https://peoplesdispatch.org/2022/12/19/swaziland-transport-workers-leader-remains-defiant-despite-threats-from-kings-deputy-prime-minister/

Swaziland transport workers’ leader remains defiant despite threats from King’s Deputy Prime Minister : Peoples Dispatch

Swaziland's Deputy PM Themba Masuku has threatened to imprison Sticks Nkambule, the leader of transport workers' union whose members withdrew labor and brought Swaziland to a halt on December 13-14

Peoples Dispatch