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.
Chinese-owned Zimbabwe mine dismisses women after forced HIV tests2 February, 2026The management of a Chinese-owned gold mine in Zimbabwe is facing legal action from the union after subjecting female workers to mandatory HIV testing before summarily dismissing them. The union describes the management’s actions as a flagrant breach of national laws on privacy, equality and non-discrimination.
Safety and labour rights under threat at Armenia’s Akhtala mining plant30 January, 2026Miners at Akhtala Mining and Processing Plant CJSC, in Armenia, are facing serious occupational safety risks and labour rights violations, prompting calls for urgent government intervention as workers seek protection, fair wages and safe working conditions.
Myanmar coup anniversary exposes sham elections and ongoing repression29 January, 2026Five years after the military seized power in Myanmar, workers continue to face repression, while sham elections, international complaints and unprecedented action at the ILO expose the junta’s failure to deliver rights or democracy.
Union busting at Apple supplier Lumileds Malaysia29 January, 2026Workers at Apple supplier Lumileds Malaysia are facing retaliation after exercising their legal right to organise. In response, IndustriALL Global Union and its Malaysian affiliate, the Electronics Industry Employees Union Northern Region (EIEU-NR), have launched a LabourStart campaign demanding that Lumileds end union busting and reinstate dismissed workers.
Employment injury insurance in Bangladesh: the vital role of social protection28 January, 2026Social protection is an internationally recognized human right. It is enshrined in instruments like ILO Convention 102 on Social Security and ILO Convention 168 on Employment Promotion and Protection against Unemployment, and it encompasses elements such as unemployment and employment injury insurance, old-age and maternity benefits and sick pay.
