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.

10 January, 2012Mining giant Rio Tinto Alcan locked out union workers at its Alma smelter in Quebec from January 1, when the union contract expired.

20 December, 2011On December 17, 2011, workers at the IKEA-owned Swedwood plant in Danville, USA, voted for their first collective bargaining agreement which will go into effect on January 1, 2012.

31 January, 2012Almost 90,000 people participated in the online Public Eye awards for the worst company 2012. The People's award went to Vale with 25,042 votes and British Barclays received the jury prize.

30 January, 2012"After three years of continuous crisis conditions in global labour markets and against the prospect of a further deterioration of economic activity, there is a backlog of global unemployment of 200 million," says ILO in its annual report, "Global Employment Trends 2012: Preventing a deeper jobs crisis".

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.

18 January, 2012Following discussions between BMW and IMF's british affiliate Unite, BMW has agreed not to proceed with its plan to close it's current pension scheme to new entrants, and that it will not use the "Swedish derogation" to avoid equal pay for agency workers.

18 January, 2012European shipping companies export hazardous waste to developing countries to avoid the costs of proper disposal. The NGO Shipbreaking Platform, a coalition of environmental and labour organizations, calls on the EU Commission to act and prevent toxic waste trade of European end-of-life ships.