Indian unions protest privatization of Visakhapatnam steel plant4 August, 2021On 2 August, with the Indian parliament in session, national trade union leaders joined hundreds of workers in the “Chalo Parliament” (“Let’s go to parliament)” protest in Delhi against the privatization of the Visakhapatnam steel plant in Andhra Pradesh.
Death toll rises as accidents continue at Bangladesh shipbreaking yards 17 October, 2019Two workers died and at least three were injured in an accident at the OWW shipbreaking yard at Kumira ferry port area of Shitakund, Chattogram, on 12 October 2019, bringing to 23 the number of deaths recorded this year.
Hong Kong Convention key to South Asian shipbreaking recovery29 September, 2020South Asia shipbreaking unions, IndustriALL and FNV Mondiaal representatives held virtual meetings on 24 and 25 September to evaluate union support for workers during Covid-19, and pledged to intensify the campaign to ratify the Hong Kong Convention for the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships (HKC).
Torrent Pharmaceutical workers in India beaten and fired after joining union27 May, 2019When Torrent Pharmaceutical workers in Himachal Pradesh became members of the Association of Chemical Workers Union in October 2018, management unleashed a series of vindictive actions aimed at union busting.
Worker killed at Kabir Steel shipbreaking yard11 February, 2022On 31 January, a worker was killed in an accident at Kabir Steel shipbreaking yard in Sitakunda municipality, Chittagong, Bangladesh, while working at night – despite a court order prohibiting the practice.
Sri Lankan unions launch campaign for minimum wage rise1 March, 2022Twelve unions across Sri Lanka have launched a joint campaign to demand a rise of 10,000 rupees (US $49) in the monthly minimum wage of private sector employees, and to oppose the government’s decision to exclude private sector employees from a scheme that grants a monthly allowance of 5,000 rupees (US $25) to public sector employees and pensioners.
Bangladesh garment workers suffer as factories reopen during Covid-19 lockdown3 August, 2021On 1 August, Bangladeshi garment export factories resumed operations with just two days’ notice, despite the strict lockdown imposed across the country.
Precarious workers occupy Honda factory in India 28 November, 2019A thousand precarious workers at Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) occupied the factory in Manesar for two weeks in November to demand regular employment contracts and compensation for retrenched workers.
Indian unions to observe “Save India Day” against Modi government 6 August, 2020India’s central trade unions jointly called on workers across the country to take action on 9 August and intensify protests against the anti-worker policies of the Modi government.
Union wins reinstatement of 1,257 workers in India 8 February, 2021After an eight-month struggle and international solidarity campaign, the Garment and Textile Workers’ Union (GATWU) has signed an agreement with H&M supplier Gokaldas Exports that recognizes the union and reinstates all the 1,257 workers – mostly women - who were fired.
