Japan: expedited ratification of Hong Kong Convention23 June, 2015After a meeting in June between unions and the responsible government ministry, Japan has committed to expediting the ratification of the Hong Kong Convention.
Blame for Rana Plaza runs far and wide2 June, 2015Culpability for the Rana Plaza disaster, which killed more than 1,100 people and injured 2,500, is widespread, says IndustriALL Global Union as the owner of the factory complex and 41 other people have been charged with murder over the building’s collapse in Bangladesh two years ago.
Bangladesh Accord announces first factories to complete safety recommendations27 May, 2015Two factories in Bangladesh producing clothes for global brands have become the first to complete safety recommendations made by inspectors from the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh.
Two week strike looms for Kone, United Kingdom26 May, 2015IndustriALL Global Union’s UK affiliate Unite the Union is urging management at Finnish-owned lift firm Kone to intervene in a dispute over a tracker device in employees’ vehicles, as a two-week strike is scheduled to start on 27 May.
Turkish women form trade union platform network22 May, 2015IndustriALL organized a meeting on 7 May in Istanbul to create a women’s trade union platform network. The meeting was supported by FES and attended by about 25 women from Celik-Is, Tes-Is, Teksif, Oy Iplik-Is, Disk/Tekstil, Deriteks, Birlesik Metal-Is and Petrol-Is.
Second anniversary of the Accord21 May, 2015As the Accord for Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh marks its second anniversary, the garment industry in Bangladesh is on the way to become safe for its thousands of workers.
Fire in Philippines footwear factory kills 7220 May, 201572 workers died in a fire in a slippers factory in Valenzuela City, Philippines, on 13 May. With no proper fire exits and barred windows, workers had no means of escape.
Mines in Colombia still unsafe19 May, 2015On 13 May, 15 miners died after being trapped in a flooded gold mine in Riosucio, Colombia. After either an explosion inside the mine or cut-off the electricity supply, the pumps stopped working and the mine was flooded. Mine owner, Leonardo Mejía, said that 15 of the 80 miners working in the mine were killed.
Chemical unions determined to defend and advance workers’ rights 12 May, 2015Around 200 delegates from some 40 countries representing chemical workers gathered in Hannover, Germany on 6 - 7 May. Participants at IndustriALL Global Union’s World Conference for the Chemical Industries debated challenges and identified responses of the unions.
Drummond acquitted despite accidents and threats7 May, 2015A six-year legal battle came to an end when the United States Court of Appeal ruled in favour of US-based coal company Drummond, accused of conspiring with paramilitary groups, involvement in a workplace accident and threatening to dismiss workers in Colombia.