Just transition advances through collective bargaining9 September, 2026At a September 2-3 workshop in Jakarta, IndustriALL Global Union affiliates from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines adopted a just transition commitment template to be signed by unions and employers, to be practised at the workplace and national levels.
South East Asia organizers unite to build stronger, more inclusive unions7 September, 2026Thirty-six trade union organizers concluded a two-day regional conference in Jakarta (31 August–1 September) with a renewed commitment to expand membership, defend freedom of association and give women, young workers and precarious workers a stronger voice in the labour movement.
Combatting forced labour in the electronics sector through social dialogue11 August, 2026Migrant workers are among those most exposed to forced labour risks in the electronics sector. That was the finding of IndustriALL Global Union affiliates in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. They met with employers, government authorities and the ILO in July and August. Recurring issues across the industry included retention of identity documents, excessive recruitment fees and gaps in social security registration. Participants agreed on the need for stronger labour inspection. They also called for joint training on forced labour indicators across the electronics supply chain.
Trade unions push for fairer global trade policy17 July, 2026Fifty trade unionists joined a webinar on understanding trade agreements and policy on 9 July and discussed how to engage with various trade regimes.
South East Asia youth to launch labour education campaign10 July, 2026Young unionists from South East Asia have proposed a regional labour education campaign, announced on 3 July 2026. The campaign will run on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. It will cover trade unionism, workers' rights, wage and benefits, Convention 190 and safety and health.
South East Asia lags on chemical safety convention18 June, 2026Eighty trade unionists from South East Asia said ILO Chemicals Convention 170 is essential to make workplaces safer and healthier. ILO technical specialist Halshka Graczyk told the IndustriALL South East Asia OSH webinar that more than 1 billion workers are exposed to hazardous chemicals every year. Higher concentrations over longer periods may cause fatal diseases, cancers or poisonings.
Asia Pacific unions tackle low wages in the garment sector7 May, 2026Asia Pacific is the engine of global garment and textile production and home to some of its most exploited workers. The region accounts for around 60 per cent of global exports of garments, textiles and footwear and employs more than 40 million workers. Yet for the workers stitching the clothes that fill the shelves of global brands, wages have remained structurally low.
Pushing for gender transformative agenda in South East Asia8 December, 2025Women union leaders in South East Asia are advancing a gender-transformative agenda through legislative advocacy, social dialogue, and awareness campaigns. This commitment was further strengthened at the South East Asia regional forum of women toward gender-responsive actions and campaigns, held on 24–25 November in Jakarta, where twenty-five women union leaders from across the region pledged to conduct regular gender mapping, build alliances and networks with other trade unions, disseminate information on Convention 190 through study circles, and campaign to end digital violence against women and girls.
Rubber tyre unions in Thailand prepare for just future21 November, 2025Rubber Workers’ Union in Thailand (RWUT) in its annual meeting, 15-16 November, took a strong commitment to fight for labour rights and defend workers' welfare amidst technological transformation in the global tyre industry.
Thai labour coalition steps up push for ratification of ILO Conventions 87 and 9829 October, 2025The ILO C8798 Driving Network, a coalition of 26 labour organizations led by IndustriALL Global Union affiliates in Thailand, has decided to escalate its campaign urging the government to ratify International Labour Organization Conventions 87 and 98 on freedom of association and collective bargaining.
