Empowering African trade unions, enforcing rights with human rights due diligence12 February, 2026Human rights due diligence (HRDD) is fast emerging as a key organizing instrument for trade unions across Africa, particularly those operating in global value chains that stretch from Global North consumers to Global South extractive frontiers. A roundtable held on 9 February on the margins of the Mining Indaba in Cape Town brought unions together with the Competence Centre for Human Rights Due Diligence (CCHRDD) to explore how organized labour might capitalise on this framework.
Beyond the mining deals12 February, 2026The annual convergence in Cape Town of the Investing in African Mining Indaba and its counterpoint, the Alternative Mining Indaba, once again highlighted the stark divide that characterises much of the continent’s extractive sector: on one side, deal-making among investors, mining houses, and governments; on the other, demands from affected communities and trade unions for a more equitable share of the proceeds.
IndustriALL and Electronics Watch strengthen partnership on workers’ rights12 February, 2026IndustriALL Global Union and Electronics Watch have signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) to deepen their collaboration in protecting and promoting workers’ rights across global electronics and low-emission vehicle supply chains.
No Just Transition without workers’ power12 February, 2026IndustriALL Global Union, industriAll Europe and the ITUC have launched a Just Transition Manifesto for the textile and garment supply chain, with a clear message: climate and digital transformation must not come at workers’ expense.
Digel workers escalate struggle after continued refusal to recognize union11 February, 2026Digel Textile workers in Türkiye have now been resisting union-busting practices for 390 days, maintaining a determined struggle for their fundamental trade union rights in the face of continued employer obstruction.
UAW-Volkswagen deal marks historic breakthrough6 February, 2026In a landmark moment for workers’ rights in the US South, the United Automobile Workers (UAW) and Volkswagen have reached a tentative contract agreement at the company’s plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The deal marks the culmination of nearly two years of sustained organizing and collective bargaining since employees there voted overwhelmingly to join the UAW in April 2024.
NCP delays enable continued military-linked investment in Myanmar6 February, 2026As the OECD Forum on Responsible Business Conduct in Garment and Footwear convenes in Paris next week, Myanmar marks five years since the military seized power. For workers and trade unions, those five years have meant systemic abuses of the OECD Guidelines and the collapse of any meaningful due diligence.
Brands and trade unions renew Pakistan Accord5 February, 2026Brands and global trade unions have agreed to extend the Pakistan Accord, securing the continuation of a legally binding factory safety programme that covers thousands of garment workers in Pakistan.
Martha Orozco makes history as first woman to join USO Colombia’s national executive committee.4 February, 2026On 15 January, Martha Orozco became the first woman elected to the national executive committee in the 100-year history of the Unión Sindical Obrera (USO), an IndustriALL Global Union affiliate in Colombia. Martha participated in IndustriALL’s regional gender project from 2017 to 2020 and became a mentor in the mentoring project implemented with LO-Norway. She spoke with IndustriALL about her trade union journey and her new leadership role within the union.
