Uniting Asia-Pacific MNC unions across chemicals and pharmaceuticals4 December, 2025Occupational safety and health, supply chain disruptions and gender-inclusive union practices were the central focus when 46 unionists from nine Asia-Pacific countries in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors met in Colombo on 18–19 November.
Yves Rocher must be held accountable over workers’ rights violations in Türkiye3 December, 2025On 20 November 2025, a Paris criminal court heard arguments in a landmark case alleging that cosmetics group Yves Rocher failed to protect workers’ rights at its former Turkish subsidiary, Kosan Kozmetic. The complaint was brought by IndustriALL Global and industriAll Europe affiliate Petrol İş, supported by the NGOs Sherpa and ActionAid France, and concerns the dismissal of 132 employees in 2018, following a union organising drive at the Flormar cosmetics factory in Gebze. Eighty-one of the dismissed workers are plaintiffs in the French proceedings.
Unions strengthen collaboration across Dow, DuPont and major chemical producers23 October, 2025Union representatives from the chemical sector came together to discuss shared challenges across the sector, from workplace safety and training to the growing influence of artificial intelligence on industrial jobs.
India: Over 40 killed in factory explosion 4 July, 2025On 30 June, a massive fire broke out at a pharmaceutical unit of Sigachi Industries in India, leaving more than 40 workers dead and injuring over 30 others. Many of the bodies were charred beyond recognition and DNA samples had to be collected to identify the victims. Media reports indicate that some workers are still missing as authorities continue to clear debris at the site. Approximately 143 workers were present in the factory when fire engulfed the building.
Despite court order, justice eludes IFFCO Pakistan workers14 November, 2024IndustriALL is calling on IFFCO Pakistan to respect workers’ rights and immediately implement the Supreme Court order, passed on 4 April 2024, that granted 55 contract workers of IFFCO, the status of permanent workers.
Striking for rights at As Plastik in Türkiye 10 October, 2024Workers at As Plastik in Türkiye went on strike nearly a month ago as negotiations for new collective agreement failed after five months of discussions. According to IndustriALL affiliate Petrol-İş, in addition to refusing to accept the union's demands, the company has dismissed 17 employees for their involvement in union activities, violating both Turkish and international labour laws.
Unions in Asia-Pacific resolve to strengthen trade union networks25 September, 2024On 19 September, IndustriALL organized an Asia-Pacific MNC trade union network meeting with affiliated unions in the region’s chemical and pharmaceutical sector. This was followed by a trade union network meeting with BASF unions on 20 September. The network meetings were jointly organised by IndustriALL’s south Asia and southeast Asia offices, in Mumbai, India.
Big win for contract workers in Pakistan17 April, 2024After ten years, on 4 April, 55 contract workers at IFFCO Pakistan were finally granted the status of permanent workers by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Unions address key challenges in chemical and pharmaceutical industries28 September, 2023IndustriALL concluded global meetings for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, which took place in Istanbul, Turkey from 25-27 September. The event brought together 180 participants from 46 unions across 36 countries to discuss pressing issues in these fast-evolving sectors.
Peru-based Laboratorios SMA SAC signs first collective bargaining agreement with union25 August, 2023The national union of Laboratorios SMA SAC workers has signed its first collective bargaining agreement following a nationwide union campaign that received international backing. The new agreement provides for higher wages and other benefits.
