International Development Matters Issue 137 January 2015
International Development Matters Issue 137 January 2015
IDM - Monthly newsletter reporting international development matters and issues affecting trade unionists around the world. Including reports, statements, interviews and events.
TUC Promotes Women Trade Union Leaders in Bangladesh
TUC Works to Strengthen Modern Slavery Bill
TUC Supports International Migrants Day
Malaysian and Indonesian unions continue their fight to stop precarious work
Unions continue to support World Aids Day
Overseas Aid Bill Clears Commons
New law aims to improve life for migrant domestic workers
ITUC Statement on Human Rights Day
TUC Aid Appeal: Gaza plant nursery
Workplace accident finally recognized after 13 years
Remaining Miami Five members released
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TUC News
TUC Promotes Women Trade Union Leaders in Bangladesh
TUC Aid is supporting the National Garment Workers Federation (NGWF) in Bangladesh to run a women's leadership development programme. Read more on the programme and what it aims to address here.
TUC Works to Strengthen Modern Slavery Bill
The TUC is working with a range of corporate accountability and anti-slavery campaign groups and NGOs, including the Ethical Trading Initiative, to strengthen the Modern Slavery Bill, which went before the House of Lords. Read more here.
TUC Supports International Migrants Day
Thursday 18 December was International Migrants Day, a day set up to highlight the large and increasing number of migrants in the world. The TUC has been running a project focused on migration throughout the year which you can read more on here.
Other International News
Malaysian and Indonesian unions continue their fight to stop precarious work
During national unity meetings in Indonesia and Malaysia, IndustriALL Global Union affiliates from both countries took stock of their action against precarious work. Each victory gained by unions continues to be challenged by employers. You can read more on the unions work here.
Unions continue to support World Aids Day
December 1 was World Aids Day, set up to commemorate the many millions of people who have lost their lives to HIV/AIDS. Trade unions have been committed to uphold their strong and continued leadership in confronting health inequalities and HIV/AIDS in the world of work you can read more on there efforts here.
Strikes across India
The main Indian trade union centres held nationwide strike action early last month, in protest at the BJP government’s plans to weaken labour laws. Your can read more about the strikes and the reasons behind it here.
IFI News
Overseas Aid Bill Clears Commons
Michael Moore MP’s private members’ bill – aiming to bind future UK governments to spend 0.7% of Gross National Income on official development assistance (overseas aid) cleared the Commons triumphantly on Friday 5 December, with 146 MPs from several different parties backing the bill and only 5 or 6 opposing. It will now be considered by the House of Lords in January. Read more here.
New law aims to improve life for migrant domestic workers
After decades of labour organizing and with the support of the ILO, Argentina has passed a new migration policy to make life better for domestic workers. Read more from the ILO here.
ITUC Statement on Human Rights Day
December 10 marked the 64 Human Rights Day since it was declared by the United Nations. You can read the ITUC’s latest statement on this day and read its concerns on an attack on workers rights to strike here.
Calls to Action
TUC Aid Appeal: Gaza plant nursery
TUC Aid is appealing for donations to rebuild the Beit Lahia Plant Nursery in Gaza, which was badly damaged during the Israeli offensive earlier this year. Read more on this appeal and how you can donate here.
Focus on Trade Unionists
Workplace accident finally recognized after 13 years
For the last 13 years, distressed Colombian worker Rubén Montoya has been battling with Sura Insurance Company and Tenaris Tubo Caribe to get a pension and other benefits following a workplace accident leaving him unable to work. Following a Labourstart campaign and support by unions a settlement was finally made in December. Read more here.
Remaining Miami Five members released
On 17 December unions welcomed the news of the release of the remaining jailed members of the Miami Five who have been held since 1998 after being wrongly convicted. You can read the TUC’s response to their release here.
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