10 March, 2012Following the renewal of the global framework agreement (GFA) between the IMF and the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM) and Umicore in September 2011, the Monitoring Committee conducted a visit at the company's operation in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, March 6 and 7, 2012.

9 March, 2012In a partial victory for trade unions, the legalization of labour contractors in Malaysia is to be limited to the plantation sector, with the government announcing an exemption for all other sectors from the recent amendment to the labour laws.

7 March, 2012In a trade union workshop on climate change and green jobs, 6-7 March 2012 at New Delhi, Indian trade unions agreed to create a new alliance that will set a benchmark throughout the industrial world's workforce.

6 February, 2012Caterpillar disclosed its plans to stop its train locomotive plant in London, Ontario. The shutdown comes five weeks after Caterpillar's locked out 465 CAW members at the Canadian train locomotive plant Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) in London, Ontario.

2 February, 2012Belgian trade unions organized a general strike on January 30 and called on leaders attending the European Union Summit in Brussels to move away from austerity measures and start boosting growth and employment.

19 January, 2012Workers fired for joining the Turkish metal union, Birlesik Metal-IS finally won justice after a three year long, bitter and intense struggle that exposed the country's debilitated legal system as much as the company's anti-union behavior.

19 January, 2012Twenty trade unions and labour rights organisations have submitted a complaint against the Local Conciliation and Arbitration Board of the Federal District of Mexico.

19 January, 2012LabourStart launches an online solidarity campaign in support of the Mexican Electrical Workers' Union. Affiliates are requested to support the campaign by signing the online protest letter.

11 January, 2012IMF calls on governments to accelerate incentives for manufacturing industries, in particular steel, as an effective means to boost the prosperity of economies in the face of uncertain conditions for steelworkers in 2012.

11 January, 2012The German and French trade unions affiliated to the IMF make a joint statement on the industrial future in Europe. They appeal to the French and German governments and the European Commission to strengthen the industrial base and secure employment in the European industry.