Global Solidarity Update January/February 2020
This edition of the TUC’s Global Solidarity Update bulletin contains the latest international solidarity news and issues affecting trade unionists around the world, including reports, statements, blogs, interviews and events from a wide range of reputable sources.
We hope you enjoy this edition and we thank you for your continual support in reading and sharing this bulletin.
In this issue:
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TUC NEWS
TUC calls on Ambassador of Zimbabwe: Stop criminalisation of union activism in Zimbabwe
The TUC took part in a global call to action and wrote to the Ambassador of Zimbabwe to strongly condemn the continued harassment of trade unionists in Zimbabwe for carrying out their legitimate trade union activities in their demand for socio-economic justice caused by the austerity measures adopted by the government of Zimbabwe.
Read more here
Former President Lula sends message of thanks to British trade union movement
The TUC received a letter from former Brazilian President Lula thanking the British and international union movement and solidarity organisations for supporting #LulaLivre after spending 580 days in prison.
TUC calls for an end to anti-union repression on Humans Rights Day
On Human Rights Day held on 10 December, the TUC called for an end to anti-union repression around the world. We, along with Amnesty International and our affiliates Unite and UNISON took part in an ITUC led global action outside the Philippines Embassy in London to stand in solidarity with the people in the Philippines to ask their government to stop the attacks, violence and death of human & labour rights defenders.
In solidarity with Colombian trade unionists at national strike
The TUC expressed its full solidarity with the national strike in Colombia on 21 November and denounces the attacks and violence against trade unionists and social leaders and demanded the Colombian government recommit to the peace process.
Read more here
TUC calls on the UK government to put pressure on Turkey at NATO
As NATO leaders met in the UK on 3 December, the TUC demanded the UK government needed to do much more to put pressure on Turkey over its record on workers' and human rights.
For more info read the blog here
OTHER INTERNATIONAL NEWS India: mass strike protest
The ITUC sent a letter of solidarity to workers in India striking and protesting on 8 January 2020 against failed economic policies, anti-trade union legislation and the extreme right-wing discriminatory Citizenship law.
Read more here
Australian government counts the cost of climate denial with ongoing bushfire crisis
The extended bushfire season in Australia has wreaked havoc on communities, with 8.4 billion hectares of land burnt, and lives, homes and livelihoods lost along with up to a billion animals. The TUC sent a message of solidarity to our comrades at the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and the people of Australia.
UK Government must not sign UK-Morocco trade deal
UK-Morocco trade deal will become law on 11 February 2020 and UK MPs have no automatic right to debate, but MPs must have a say. The UK government must not sign the deal while there is occupation of Western Sahara. The right of all people to self-determination must be respected.
Uruguay becomes first country to ratify ILO Convention 190
Uruguay is the first country in the world to ratify the International Labour Organization's (ILO) Convention 190, which recognizes that violence and harassment in the world of work can constitute a human rights violation. The TUC is a member of the #ThisIsNotWorking campaign, a coalition of organisations working together to demand the UK government bring in a new law to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace before it happens.
IFI NEWS
Ease of Doing Business – what does it conceal?
India has risen rapidly in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business (EODB) rankings in the past five years. This rise has occurred alongside widespread deregulation, which has eroded environmental protections and seen attempts to introduce labour and land laws that favour corporations. In 2018, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) came out strongly against targeting labour regulations as part of the DBR, noting that the “employing workers” indicator was an attack on labour rights.
Read more here
Uprising and discontent: Global protests erupt against IMF-backed policies
Recent months have proven particularly tumultuous for the IMF, with thousands taking to the streets around the globe to demand change. Against a turbulent backdrop in Latin America, IMF-backed policies have triggered civil unrest across the region.
Read more here
The World Bank’s Uncivil War on Corporate Tax
A broad array of international actors agrees that many developing countries desperately need to collect more tax revenue. The IMF has proposed minimum corporate tax rates. The World Bank has lent out over $10 billion for 60 projects around the world from 2005 to 2015 with the explicit goal of increasing tax revenues. The G20 has highlighted the importance of increasing tax-to-GDP ratios to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Read more here
CALL TO ACTION Kazakhstan: Trade unionist Erlan Baltabay imprisoned - again!
In July this year, Erlan Baltabay, a leader of the Independent Oil and Energy Workers' Union in Kazakhstan, was sentenced to seven years in prison on politically motivated charges. A huge international union mobilisation followed, including a LabourStart campaign signed by thousands calling for his release. He was released from prison in August after being pardoned by the President and was able to return home to his family. He has now been imprisoned again!
Read more and sign the LabourStart petition here
Philippines: Anti-union repression against teacher union
Members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), are under increasing repression in the Philippines. One ACT provincial coordinator was arrested in a new crackdown against unions and civil society organisations in the country. Raymond Basilio, ACT General Secretary, has received multiple death threats since January 2019. The teacher union is red tagged by the government. Union activists are unlawfully profiled by the Philippine National Police and put on lists of 'terrorists'. Two ACT teachers were recently shot at in their classroom by masked men, in the presence of their students.
Read more and sign the petition here
Germany: Ameos fires workers and refuses collective bargaining
Workers at Ameos in Germany, a private for-profit hospital corporation, are demanding fair wages, secured by a collective bargaining agreement. After massive short-term strike action in November Ameos has fired 14 workers without previous notice and has threatened 800 lay offs should industrial action continue. The workers, who are members of the union, ver.di have now started an open-ended strike. They are fighting for better wages. Please join us in sending protest emails to the regional CEO Frank-Ulrich Wiener and the Chairman of the Ameos board, Dr. Axel Paeger.
Watch a video about it here
FOCUS ON TRADE UNIONISTS IndustriALL Interview with Beauty Zibula, MP for KwaZulu Natal and former second Deputy President of SACTWU
Read the interview with Beauty Zibula, who after 41 years as a sample machinist, was elected as a Member of Parliament for KwaZulu Natal province in South Africa in the country’s national elections in May 2019. The election ended her four decade long career as a shop steward, which saw her assuming many leadership positions in her union, the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers Union (SACTWU).
Read the full interview here
EFJ interview - Press freedom in Turkey: Repression is all too real
Tim Dawson is a London-based journalist, and a member of the executive of the National Union of Journalists in the UK and Ireland. He travelled to Turkey from November 27-30 2019 to observe and monitor journalists trials as well as participate in an International Conference within the framework of the “Journalism is not a crime” EU-funded project implemented by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and the Turkish Journalists Union (TGS).
Read the full interview here
IndustriALL interview with relatives of victims from the Brumadinho mine disaster
The 23 January 2020 was the one-year anniversary of the Brumadinho mine disaster, which took the lives of 272 people. IndustriALL examined the human impact of an avoidable tragedy caused by corporate greed and negligence. Read the interview with Andresa Rodrigues, who lost her only son after Vale’s Corrego do Feijão tailings dam in Brumadinho, Brazil burst.
RadioLabour's World Report for the week 20-24 January 2020
* Labour tells Davos to Change the Rules
* Unions celebrate International Day for Education
* Robert Di Niro's pro-union acceptance speech
* The LabourStart Report about union events
* And singing: "Hold that Line"
The World Report is available at: https://www.radiolabour.net/rl-world-240120.html
EVENTS Nicaraguan Fairtrade Producer Speaker Tour
Fairtrade Fortnight 24 February – 8 March
As part of Fairtrade Fortnight, Fairtrade coffee producer Gloria Talavera González will be visiting London 20 - 22 February as a guest of the Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign and Bristol and Bath 22 February – 9 March as a guest of Bristol Link with Nicaragua, Bath University, and Bristol and South Glos Fairtrade Networks. Gloria explains the importance of working co-operatively, environmental protection, diversifying crops in the face of social instability and climate change, and the benefits of Fairtrade for the whole community.
Click here to find out more
Cuba Solidarity Campaign: May Day Study Tour to Cuba 2020
26 April - 7 May 2020
Visit trade unions, workers in their workplaces and neighbourhoods, schools and health centres in Havana and Pinar del Río, and join over 1 million Cubans at the May Day Rally in Plaza de la Revolución.
Full details here
Cuba Solidarity Campaign: Young Trade Unionists’ May Day Brigade 2020
26 April - 8 May 2020
A unique opportunity for activists to participate in practical solidarity work and discover the reality of life for Cubans living under the illegal US blockade of their country.
Full details here
TUC calls on Ambassador of Zimbabwe: Stop criminalisation of union activism in Zimbabwe
India: mass strike protest
The ITUC sent a letter of solidarity to workers in India striking and protesting on 8 January 2020 against failed economic policies, anti-trade union legislation and the extreme right-wing discriminatory Citizenship law.Read more here
Australian government counts the cost of climate denial with ongoing bushfire crisis
The extended bushfire season in Australia has wreaked havoc on communities, with 8.4 billion hectares of land burnt, and lives, homes and livelihoods lost along with up to a billion animals. The TUC sent a message of solidarity to our comrades at the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and the people of Australia.UK Government must not sign UK-Morocco trade deal
UK-Morocco trade deal will become law on 11 February 2020 and UK MPs have no automatic right to debate, but MPs must have a say. The UK government must not sign the deal while there is occupation of Western Sahara. The right of all people to self-determination must be respected.Uruguay becomes first country to ratify ILO Convention 190
Uruguay is the first country in the world to ratify the International Labour Organization's (ILO) Convention 190, which recognizes that violence and harassment in the world of work can constitute a human rights violation. The TUC is a member of the #ThisIsNotWorking campaign, a coalition of organisations working together to demand the UK government bring in a new law to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace before it happens.IFI NEWS
Ease of Doing Business – what does it conceal?
India has risen rapidly in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business (EODB) rankings in the past five years. This rise has occurred alongside widespread deregulation, which has eroded environmental protections and seen attempts to introduce labour and land laws that favour corporations. In 2018, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) came out strongly against targeting labour regulations as part of the DBR, noting that the “employing workers” indicator was an attack on labour rights.
Read more here
Uprising and discontent: Global protests erupt against IMF-backed policies
Recent months have proven particularly tumultuous for the IMF, with thousands taking to the streets around the globe to demand change. Against a turbulent backdrop in Latin America, IMF-backed policies have triggered civil unrest across the region.
Read more here
The World Bank’s Uncivil War on Corporate Tax
A broad array of international actors agrees that many developing countries desperately need to collect more tax revenue. The IMF has proposed minimum corporate tax rates. The World Bank has lent out over $10 billion for 60 projects around the world from 2005 to 2015 with the explicit goal of increasing tax revenues. The G20 has highlighted the importance of increasing tax-to-GDP ratios to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Read more here
CALL TO ACTION Kazakhstan: Trade unionist Erlan Baltabay imprisoned - again!
In July this year, Erlan Baltabay, a leader of the Independent Oil and Energy Workers' Union in Kazakhstan, was sentenced to seven years in prison on politically motivated charges. A huge international union mobilisation followed, including a LabourStart campaign signed by thousands calling for his release. He was released from prison in August after being pardoned by the President and was able to return home to his family. He has now been imprisoned again!
Read more and sign the LabourStart petition here
Philippines: Anti-union repression against teacher union
Members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), are under increasing repression in the Philippines. One ACT provincial coordinator was arrested in a new crackdown against unions and civil society organisations in the country. Raymond Basilio, ACT General Secretary, has received multiple death threats since January 2019. The teacher union is red tagged by the government. Union activists are unlawfully profiled by the Philippine National Police and put on lists of 'terrorists'. Two ACT teachers were recently shot at in their classroom by masked men, in the presence of their students.
Read more and sign the petition here
Germany: Ameos fires workers and refuses collective bargaining
Workers at Ameos in Germany, a private for-profit hospital corporation, are demanding fair wages, secured by a collective bargaining agreement. After massive short-term strike action in November Ameos has fired 14 workers without previous notice and has threatened 800 lay offs should industrial action continue. The workers, who are members of the union, ver.di have now started an open-ended strike. They are fighting for better wages. Please join us in sending protest emails to the regional CEO Frank-Ulrich Wiener and the Chairman of the Ameos board, Dr. Axel Paeger.
Watch a video about it here
FOCUS ON TRADE UNIONISTS IndustriALL Interview with Beauty Zibula, MP for KwaZulu Natal and former second Deputy President of SACTWU
Read the interview with Beauty Zibula, who after 41 years as a sample machinist, was elected as a Member of Parliament for KwaZulu Natal province in South Africa in the country’s national elections in May 2019. The election ended her four decade long career as a shop steward, which saw her assuming many leadership positions in her union, the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers Union (SACTWU).
Read the full interview here
EFJ interview - Press freedom in Turkey: Repression is all too real
Tim Dawson is a London-based journalist, and a member of the executive of the National Union of Journalists in the UK and Ireland. He travelled to Turkey from November 27-30 2019 to observe and monitor journalists trials as well as participate in an International Conference within the framework of the “Journalism is not a crime” EU-funded project implemented by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and the Turkish Journalists Union (TGS).
Read the full interview here
IndustriALL interview with relatives of victims from the Brumadinho mine disaster
The 23 January 2020 was the one-year anniversary of the Brumadinho mine disaster, which took the lives of 272 people. IndustriALL examined the human impact of an avoidable tragedy caused by corporate greed and negligence. Read the interview with Andresa Rodrigues, who lost her only son after Vale’s Corrego do Feijão tailings dam in Brumadinho, Brazil burst.
RadioLabour's World Report for the week 20-24 January 2020
* Labour tells Davos to Change the Rules
* Unions celebrate International Day for Education
* Robert Di Niro's pro-union acceptance speech
* The LabourStart Report about union events
* And singing: "Hold that Line"
The World Report is available at: https://www.radiolabour.net/rl-world-240120.html
EVENTS Nicaraguan Fairtrade Producer Speaker Tour
Fairtrade Fortnight 24 February – 8 March
As part of Fairtrade Fortnight, Fairtrade coffee producer Gloria Talavera González will be visiting London 20 - 22 February as a guest of the Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign and Bristol and Bath 22 February – 9 March as a guest of Bristol Link with Nicaragua, Bath University, and Bristol and South Glos Fairtrade Networks. Gloria explains the importance of working co-operatively, environmental protection, diversifying crops in the face of social instability and climate change, and the benefits of Fairtrade for the whole community.
Click here to find out more
Cuba Solidarity Campaign: May Day Study Tour to Cuba 2020
26 April - 7 May 2020
Visit trade unions, workers in their workplaces and neighbourhoods, schools and health centres in Havana and Pinar del Río, and join over 1 million Cubans at the May Day Rally in Plaza de la Revolución.
Full details here
Cuba Solidarity Campaign: Young Trade Unionists’ May Day Brigade 2020
26 April - 8 May 2020
A unique opportunity for activists to participate in practical solidarity work and discover the reality of life for Cubans living under the illegal US blockade of their country.
Full details here
CALL TO ACTION
Kazakhstan: Trade unionist Erlan Baltabay imprisoned - again!
In July this year, Erlan Baltabay, a leader of the Independent Oil and Energy Workers' Union in Kazakhstan, was sentenced to seven years in prison on politically motivated charges. A huge international union mobilisation followed, including a LabourStart campaign signed by thousands calling for his release. He was released from prison in August after being pardoned by the President and was able to return home to his family. He has now been imprisoned again!Read more and sign the LabourStart petition here
Philippines: Anti-union repression against teacher union
Members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), are under increasing repression in the Philippines. One ACT provincial coordinator was arrested in a new crackdown against unions and civil society organisations in the country. Raymond Basilio, ACT General Secretary, has received multiple death threats since January 2019. The teacher union is red tagged by the government. Union activists are unlawfully profiled by the Philippine National Police and put on lists of 'terrorists'. Two ACT teachers were recently shot at in their classroom by masked men, in the presence of their students.Read more and sign the petition here
Germany: Ameos fires workers and refuses collective bargaining
Workers at Ameos in Germany, a private for-profit hospital corporation, are demanding fair wages, secured by a collective bargaining agreement. After massive short-term strike action in November Ameos has fired 14 workers without previous notice and has threatened 800 lay offs should industrial action continue. The workers, who are members of the union, ver.di have now started an open-ended strike. They are fighting for better wages. Please join us in sending protest emails to the regional CEO Frank-Ulrich Wiener and the Chairman of the Ameos board, Dr. Axel Paeger.Watch a video about it here
FOCUS ON TRADE UNIONISTS IndustriALL Interview with Beauty Zibula, MP for KwaZulu Natal and former second Deputy President of SACTWU
Read the interview with Beauty Zibula, who after 41 years as a sample machinist, was elected as a Member of Parliament for KwaZulu Natal province in South Africa in the country’s national elections in May 2019. The election ended her four decade long career as a shop steward, which saw her assuming many leadership positions in her union, the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers Union (SACTWU).
Read the full interview here
EFJ interview - Press freedom in Turkey: Repression is all too real
Tim Dawson is a London-based journalist, and a member of the executive of the National Union of Journalists in the UK and Ireland. He travelled to Turkey from November 27-30 2019 to observe and monitor journalists trials as well as participate in an International Conference within the framework of the “Journalism is not a crime” EU-funded project implemented by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and the Turkish Journalists Union (TGS).
Read the full interview here
IndustriALL interview with relatives of victims from the Brumadinho mine disaster
The 23 January 2020 was the one-year anniversary of the Brumadinho mine disaster, which took the lives of 272 people. IndustriALL examined the human impact of an avoidable tragedy caused by corporate greed and negligence. Read the interview with Andresa Rodrigues, who lost her only son after Vale’s Corrego do Feijão tailings dam in Brumadinho, Brazil burst.
RadioLabour's World Report for the week 20-24 January 2020
* Labour tells Davos to Change the Rules
* Unions celebrate International Day for Education
* Robert Di Niro's pro-union acceptance speech
* The LabourStart Report about union events
* And singing: "Hold that Line"
The World Report is available at: https://www.radiolabour.net/rl-world-240120.html
EVENTS Nicaraguan Fairtrade Producer Speaker Tour
Fairtrade Fortnight 24 February – 8 March
As part of Fairtrade Fortnight, Fairtrade coffee producer Gloria Talavera González will be visiting London 20 - 22 February as a guest of the Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign and Bristol and Bath 22 February – 9 March as a guest of Bristol Link with Nicaragua, Bath University, and Bristol and South Glos Fairtrade Networks. Gloria explains the importance of working co-operatively, environmental protection, diversifying crops in the face of social instability and climate change, and the benefits of Fairtrade for the whole community.
Click here to find out more
Cuba Solidarity Campaign: May Day Study Tour to Cuba 2020
26 April - 7 May 2020
Visit trade unions, workers in their workplaces and neighbourhoods, schools and health centres in Havana and Pinar del Río, and join over 1 million Cubans at the May Day Rally in Plaza de la Revolución.
Full details here
Cuba Solidarity Campaign: Young Trade Unionists’ May Day Brigade 2020
26 April - 8 May 2020
A unique opportunity for activists to participate in practical solidarity work and discover the reality of life for Cubans living under the illegal US blockade of their country.
Full details here
EVENTS
Nicaraguan Fairtrade Producer Speaker Tour
Fairtrade Fortnight 24 February – 8 March
As part of Fairtrade Fortnight, Fairtrade coffee producer Gloria Talavera González will be visiting London 20 - 22 February as a guest of the Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign and Bristol and Bath 22 February – 9 March as a guest of Bristol Link with Nicaragua, Bath University, and Bristol and South Glos Fairtrade Networks. Gloria explains the importance of working co-operatively, environmental protection, diversifying crops in the face of social instability and climate change, and the benefits of Fairtrade for the whole community.Click here to find out more
Cuba Solidarity Campaign: May Day Study Tour to Cuba 2020
26 April - 7 May 2020
Visit trade unions, workers in their workplaces and neighbourhoods, schools and health centres in Havana and Pinar del Río, and join over 1 million Cubans at the May Day Rally in Plaza de la Revolución.
Full details here
Cuba Solidarity Campaign: Young Trade Unionists’ May Day Brigade 2020
26 April - 8 May 2020
A unique opportunity for activists to participate in practical solidarity work and discover the reality of life for Cubans living under the illegal US blockade of their country.Full details here
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