International Development Matters - Issue number 157 September 2016
| International Development Matters |
| Issue number 157 September 2016 |
| IDM - Monthly newsletter reporting international development matters and issues affecting trade unionists around the world. Including reports, statements, interviews and events. |
TUC writes to Bangladesh High Commission over workers' rights after deadly factory fire
ITUC Condemns Killing of Somali Journalist
Colombian Trade Unions Back Peace Accord
India: Government Should Heed Message of General Strike
IndustriALL Women Philippines push for 120 days maternity leave
ACT NOW! Egypt: Free jailed shipyard workers
ACT NOW! PepsiCo responds to formation of new union in Pakistan by attacking rights
Radio Labour Solidarity News bulletin, 30 September
Organising Workers in the Informal Economy: ILO ACTRAV Policy Brief
¡PRESENTE! Contemporary Art from Cuba
After Chavez, the Empire Strikes Back
TUC NEWS
TUC writes to Bangladesh High Commission over workers' rights after deadly factory fire
TUC General Secretary, Frances O’Grady, wrote to the Bangladesh High Commission to express the horror of the tragic death of 34 workers and injuries to more than 40 in the fire at the paper packaging factory, Tampaco Foils Ltd in Dhaka on 10 September.
Read more here
OTHER INTERNATIONAL NEWS
ITUC Condemns Killing of Somali Journalist
The ITUC has condemned the murder of Somali journalist Abdiasis Mohamed Ali, who was killed on 27 September by two men armed with pistols in northern Mogadishu.
Read more here
Colombian Trade Unions Back Peace Accord
Colombia’s three trade union centres CGT, CTC and CUT have given strong backing to a “Yes” vote in the upcoming plebiscite on the peace accord to end decades of civil conflict in the country.
Read more here
India: Government Should Heed Message of General Strike
Tens of millions of workers in India joined a general strike earlier this month on 2 September, including those in transport, banks, public services, manufacturing and other sectors. The strike was organised by ten national trade union centres, including ITUC affiliates INTUC, HMS and SEWA, with unions from the public sector also mobilising against privatisation and outsourcing of government services.
Read more here
IndustriALL Women Philippines push for 120 days maternity leave
IndustriALL women in the Philippines participated in a recent public hearing on the proposed law on increasing maternity leave to 120 days.
Read more here
IFI NEWS
G20 Leaders push for short-term recovery with structural reforms – trade unions call for long-term inclusive growth
The G20 Summit in Hangzhou, China, endorses a pro-growth push and strengthens focus on the developing world. But G20 Leaders fail to see that a pro-demand growth trajectory, fair wage distribution and quality jobs for the future cannot be achieved with present structural reforms.
Read more here
IMF warn of global deflation
The precarious condition of the global economy is back in the spotlight. Last week the OECD issued their interim economic outlook, headed: “global growth warning: weak trade, financial distortions’. This week it is the turn of the IMF, who are leading on the threat of global deflation and the collapse in world trade.
Read more here
CALLS TO ACTION
ACT NOW! Egypt: Free jailed shipyard workers
In late May this year, workers at the shipyard docks in Alexandria organised a peaceful protest. Following their protest, the workers were summoned by the military prosecution for interrogation. Fifteen workers presented themselves voluntarily and were surprised when they were all apprehended. The workers remain in jail as they await sentencing.
Take action here and demand the immediate release of the jailed shipyard workers!
ACT NOW! PepsiCo responds to formation of new union in Pakistan by attacking rights
PepsiCo management at the company's Frito-Lay plant in Lahore, Pakistan has responded to the formation and official registration of a trade union with 650 members by harassing and transferring union officers and seeking to violate the union's collective bargaining rights by creating a bogus union.
Take action and tell the company to respect trade union rights at the Lahore plant and its ongoing complicity in violations of the rights of workers
FOCUS ON TRADE UNIONISTS
Radio Labour Solidarity news bulletin, 30 September
Listen to the RadioLabour's World Report for the week of September 25 to 30. The report includes; teacher unions demand a UN investigation into the disappearance of 43 student teachers in Mexico; one of the largest global unions starts its international congress and labour wants social justice to be part of climate change programmes.
Click here to listen
Organising Workers in the Informal Economy: ILO ACTRAV Policy Brief
The aim of this policy brief is to assist workers’ organisations in understanding and tackling the injustices and decent work deficits associated with employment in the informal economy. It provides information and proposes strategies that can be used to organize, protect and promote the rights and interests of informal economy workers.
Watch a short video about it here
EVENTS
¡PRESENTE! Contemporary Art from Cuba
6 – 29 October 2016
GX Gallery, 43 Denmark Hill, London SE5 8RS
¡PRESENTE! Is hosting a major exhibition of paintings, works on paper and photography by more than 20 internationally known Cuban artists, including Luís Camejo and Reynerio Tamayo, and emerging young stars such as Adislen Reyes and Lisandra Isabel Garcia. Events programme with invited artists, art for sale, raising funds for art education in Cuba.
Click here for full details
After Chavez, the Empire Strikes Back
Saturday 15 October 2016
Discus Room, Unite House, 128 Theobalds Road, London, WC1X 8TN
Join Venezuela Solidarity Campaign at their Annual General Meeting including themes on building solidarity against U.S intervention and anti-democratic destabilisation in Latin America. With special guests from progressive movements from Venezuela and across Latin America and Europe.
More details and to register, click here
Trade Union Briefing event
Wednesday 2 November 2016
17:30 – 20:00
Unite the Union, 128 Theobalds Road, Holborn, London
This is a special briefing for trade unionists, taking place four days before the Nicaraguan elections. The briefing will focus on the Nicaraguan trade union model but will also address some wider issues such as poverty and social programmes.
For more information and to register click here
The person responsible for the e-bulletin is:
Tanya Warlock
Tel 0207 467 1357
E: twarlock@tuc.org.uk
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