International Development Matters - Issue number 163 April 2017
| International Development Matters |
| Issue number 163 April 2017 |
| IDM - Monthly newsletter reporting international development matters and issues affecting trade unionists around the world. Including reports, statements, interviews and events. |
| TUC NEWS
Heart Unions, Heart Palestinian workers’ rights Myanmar: Thousands march for workers’ rights ILO extends probe into forced labour of migrant workers in Qatar Togo: Dialogue secures positive changes to education system Unions in the Middle East and North Africa see growing participation of women The Sustainable Development Goals - a trade union issue! The IMF pushes more austerity in the MENA region PPPs lead to dangerous debts for developing countries — it's time for the World Bank to act ACT NOW: Madagascar: Dock workers sacked for joining a union TAKE ACTION: Help us stop the asbestos trade ACT NOW! Indonesia: Coca-Cola's bottler determined to stifle independent unions Working Life Podcast: Khamati Mugalla, EATUC Interview on Migrant Workers ILO interview with Maria Helena André, Director of ILO’s Bureau for Workers’ Activities ILO Interview with Dr Hemlata, President of Centre of India Trade Unions (CITU) Volunteer at summer festivals with ACTSA Cuba Solidarity Campaign’s Quiz Night for Cuba TUC NEWSHeart Unions, Heart Palestinian workers’ rightsTUC affiliate UNISON supports WAC-MAAN to organise workers in the illegal industrial zones in Israel. Read more here OTHER INTERNATIONAL NEWSMyanmar: Thousands march for workers’ rightsOn 26 March, more than 7,000 workers from all over Myanmar took part in a demonstration called by the Confederation of Trade Unions Myanmar to urge Myanmar’s public authorities to respect workers’ holidays and rights. Read more here ILO extends probe into forced labour of migrant workers in QatarThe ITUC has welcomed a decision by the International Labour Organisation to maintain pressure on Qatar over its ‘kafala’ system of modern slavery. As over 2 million workers continue to suffer under system of modern slavery Read more here Togo: Dialogue secures positive changes to education systemTeachers in Togo have returned to work after repeated strikes in response to new measures announced by the government to change and improve education. The call to return to work was made by the Fédération des syndicats de l'éducation nationale (FESEN). The call follows the series of measures providing for broad changes and improvements to education announced by the government on 17 March. Read more here Unions in the Middle East and North Africa see growing participation of womenAn initiative by the IndustriALL Global Union women’s network in the Middle East and North Africa has led to growing participation of women in unions, and the emergence of women leaders. Read more here IFI NEWSThe Sustainable Development Goals - a trade union issue!The Trade Union Development Cooperation Network (TUDCN) has released an introductory pamphlet on the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) as part of its mobilisation and engagement work on the 2030 Agenda. The pamphlet aims to introduce trade unionists to the 2030 Agenda and its overlap with the work of trade unions. The IMF pushes more austerity in the MENA regionA dominant feature of all of the new IMF lending programmes in Arab countries has been a strong drive for austerity through reduced public spending and increased taxes. Read more here. PPPs lead to dangerous debts for developing countries — it's time for the World Bank to actFor many years, public-private partnerships have been promoted by governments and financial institutions as a way to pay for development projects such as roads, schools and hospitals. The World Bank is at the forefront of this push and advises governments on how to structure their PPPs. But it also ignores civil society (including trade unions) campaigners’ concerns about the dangerous hidden debts that PPP projects can lead to. Read more here CALLS TO ACTIONACT NOW: Madagascar: Dock workers sacked for joining a unionMadagascan dock workers are fighting for their rights. They were sacked for joining their union to fight for an end to precarious work, low-pay and unsafe working conditions. On 3 April 2017, ITF, the ITUC, and the workers’ union SYGMMA filed a complaint with the ILO on behalf of the 43 dock workers. Please send an email to the Madagascan Labour Minister now to ensure he enforces local labour laws and reinstates these workers? TAKE ACTION: Help us stop the asbestos tradeIndustriALL Global Union is calling on affiliates to take action to help stop the deadly trade in asbestos. Hundreds of thousands of workers become victims of the deadly global asbestos industry, like our comrade Rajendra Pevekar. Many die every year from diseases caused by exposure to asbestos. It is the world’s worst industrial killer. Read more and take action here. ACT NOW! Indonesia: Coca-Cola's bottler determined to stifle independent unionsCoca-Cola's Australian-based bottler Coca-Cola Amatil is systematically violating basic rights in an effort to stamp out independent and democratic trade unions at its Indonesian operations. And Coca-Cola corporate management in the US knows the full history but has failed to remedy the abuses. Click here to send a message to Coca Cola. FOCUS ON TRADE UNIONISTSWorking Life Podcast: Khamati Mugalla, EATUC Interview on Migrant WorkersListen to the Working Life Podcast of Caroline Khamati Mugalla, Executive Secretary of the East Africa Trade Union Confederation (EATUC) talking about both refugees and economic migrants in the East African context. Emigrants from the region are increasingly going to the Middle East where they encounter major rights violations. Trade unions give the opportunity to build decent work and address the problems of the informal economy. Listen here (starts from 1:40 onwards). ILO interview with Maria Helena André, Director of ILO’s Bureau for Workers’ Activities“Fair competition can protect workers in a globalised world”. Director of ILO’s Bureau for Workers’ Activities, Maria Helena André, shares insights about her first visit to Vietnam in March 2017. During her working trip, she had the opportunity to meet leaders of the Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour as well as the Commission of External Affairs and Commission of People’s Mobilization of the Party Central Committee. ILO Interview with Dr Hemlata, President of Centre of India Trade Unions (CITU)“Young women must fight for equality” says lady trade unionist Dr Hemlata, the president of Centre of India Trade Unions (CITU) to ILO India while interviewed on the role of women in the world of work and the trade union movement. Read the interview here EVENTSVolunteer at summer festivals with ACTSAJune & July 2017 Action for Southern Africa (who work closely with our sister trade unions in South Africa, Zimbabwe and other southern African countries) are seeking volunteers to work with the Workers Beer Company (WBC) on one of their bars at Glastonbury or Latitude music festivals in exchange for free entry, travel and meals. Full details to apply are here and the deadline is 18 April. Cuba Solidarity Campaign’s Quiz Night for CubaTuesday 25 April 2017, 6.00pm, Cost: £5 The Albert Pub, 52 Victoria St, London SW1H ONP Join CSC for quiz night on 25 April, which supports the Cycle Challenge 2017, and help raise funds for essential educational equipment for disabled Cuban school children in Havana. All welcome. Entry: £5 per person. Teams of 4–8 people. Loads of top prizes. Limited spaces – sign up as soon as possible. Full details here |
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