“We will be killed by hunger before the coronavirus gets us”6 May, 2020Over 18,000 workers in the textile and garment sector in Eswatini have not been paid since the announcement of the lockdown to control the spread of Covid-19. This means that the workers have no money to buy food, pay rent, bills and other basics.
Victory for Indonesian unions as parliament postpones debate of controversial bill27 April, 2020Indonesian unions have won the first battle to defeat the controversial Omnibus bill on job creation, as President Joko Widodo announced a delay in the debate.
Cambodian garment workers need support from brands16 April, 2020Garment unions in Cambodia are proposing brands and manufacturers contribute 40 percent respectively and the government 20 percent of the minimum wage for workers in factories that have suspended operations due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
ACT brands commit to responsible business practices in Bangladesh31 March, 2020ACT signatory brands have expressed their commitment to maintain responsible business practices and social dialogue with union representatives from IndustriALL Bangladesh Council (IBC) and the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), amid the corona virus outbreak.
Workers in Cambodia and Myanmar hit hard by Coronavirus fall-out12 March, 2020The global outbreak of the Coronavirus is slowing down the economy and eliminating thousands of jobs in the global supply chain in South East Asia. Cambodia and Myanmar are among the most affected countries in the region.
ACT initiative: a potential strategy for living wages in Ethiopia27 February, 2020The campaign for living wages in Ethiopia is at the point where the question is not when the low wages will be increased but how soon this can be done.
Deadlock sets Turkish metalworkers en route to strike21 January, 2020Around 130,000 members from three Turkish metal unions, Türk Metal, Birleşik Metal-İş and Özçelik-İş, are determined to continue their struggle for a fair collective agreement after negotiations fail. Unions are planning a strike next month, if a solution is not found.
Indonesia: fears new bill will destroy workers’ welfare15 January, 2020The Indonesian union movement is vehemently opposing a proposed bill on job creation, saying it will destroy workers’ welfare in near future. Nationwide protests are planned later this month, calling for the controversial bill to be scrapped.
Garment workers in Ethiopia need strong unions3 December, 2019Located in the Sidama Region, Hawassa Industrial Park is the largest in Ethiopia with potential to employ over 60,000 workers, in line with government policies to create decent jobs for millions of the unemployed. The park currently employs about 25,000.
Ethiopia: towards a common collective bargaining strategy28 November, 2019Unions meeting at a collective bargaining strategy workshop concluded that bargaining together, they could achieve better wages and working conditions.