Union takes legal action against anti-union SQM3 February, 2015The National Confederation of Metalworkers (CONSTRAMET) / Industriall Chile, has taken further legal action against SQM Industrial S.A. and SQM Nitratos S.A. for violating workers’ basic rights. In response, the company has taken reprisals against its employees and continues to employ anti-trade union practices.
Indonesia: another fatality at the Grasberg mine29 January, 2015A mine worker was killed on 24 January at Rio Tinto's minority-owned mine in Papua, Indonesia. This brings the death toll at the mine over the last two years to a staggering 39.
Glencore to close Optimum Coal Mine in South Africa 29 January, 2015Mining giant Glencore has announced that they are to close the Optimum Coal Mine in Mpumalanga. Around 1,500 employees and contractors would be affected by the decision.
Miners protest against destruction of coal mining in Ukraine29 January, 20151,500 coal miners from IndustriALL Global Union affiliates across the Ukraine launched a protest action picketing the Cabinet of Ministers building today (28 January) in the capital Kiev.
Framework agreements signed by Polish miners and government 21 January, 2015January has seen 2,000 miners in Poland protesting against government plans to close a number of mines in the country. On 17 January, a framework agreement was reached between the trade unions and the government, putting an end to the protests.
2,000 Polish miners protest against plans to close mines15 January, 2015Approximately 2,000 coal miners in Silesia, southern Poland were joined by their families and local residents in underground protests on 8 January against government plans to close four mines in the region. The mines all belong to the state-owned Kompania Weglowa S.A., Europe’s largest coal producer.
Indian government concedes to coal strikers 8 January, 2015Over half a million coalminers in India have ended a planned five-day strike after two days as the government gave assurances not to privatize Coal India Ltd (CIL). IndustriALL Global Union coal mining affiliates led the massive strike which ended on 7 January.
Half a million Indian coalminers launch strike6 January, 2015IndustriALL Global Union’s mining affiliates in India are leading a five-day nationwide strike that has shut down the country’s coal industry. Beginning 6 January, the strike is in rejection of government plans to privatize state-owned Coal India Ltd. (CIL) which produces almost all of India’s coal.
Murder exposes rampant sexism in South African mines12 December, 2014A verdict of two life sentences handed down on 27 November 2014 nearly three years after miner Pinky Mosiane’s rape and murder underground at Anglo Platinum’s Khomanani mine is only a partial victory as women still suffer systemic violence, exploitation and abuse in South Africa’s mines.
Global campaign victory: Turkey ratifies ILO C1769 December, 2014Years of campaigning led by IndustriALL Global Union has resulted in a major win for Turkish miners. Turkey’s Parliament finally approved the ILO Convention 176 on safety and health in mines on 4 December.
