A new Arab Democratic Trade Union Forum: For freedom, social justice and dignity
Fifteen Arab trade union organizations from 10 countries founded today in Amman, Jordan, a new Forum to promote the fundamental values of democratic and independent trade unionism and to increase regional union solidarity and unity. The founding union organizations are from Bahrain (GFTU); Egypt (EFITU); Iraq (GFIW); Kuwait (KTUF); Jordan (GFJTU); Libya ( FLWF*); Mauritania (CLTM, CNTM, UTM); Morocco (CDT, CGTM, UMT); Palestine (PGFTU); Tunisia (UGTT); and Yemen (GFYWTU).
Guatemalan Trade Union Leader Murdered
The ITUC has called on Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom to launch an immediate and full investigation into the murder of Byron Arrega, leader of the Administrative Workers’ Union at the property registry in Quetzaltenango. Arrega was assassinated as he got into his car on the morning of 13 September.
Fiji’s Dictatorship Moves Against Trade Unions
Fiji’s military dictatorship has tightened its control over the country’s economy with a new decree outlawing trade union rights across key sectors. The UN’s International Labour Organisation has accused the regime of demonstrating “the same lack of concern for the views of the international community as it has for the rights and aspirations of its own people”, while the other governments of the region, through the Pacific Islands Forum, have expressed “continuing deep concern at the deteriorating human rights situation”.
India: Workers’ Rights Require More Attention
The ITUC is releasing today a report on core labour standards in India coinciding with the Trade Policy Review of India at the WTO. India has ratified only four core ILO labour Conventions. The report finds poor compliance with international labour standards, especially with regard to child labour.
ITUC Welcomes President Obama’s Jobs Speech
"I reject the idea that we have to strip away collective bargaining rights to compete in a global economy. We shouldn’t be in a race to the bottom, where we try to offer the cheapest labor and the worst pollution standards”: President Obama, 8 September 2011