You may have seen some stories in the media about political developments in Brazil, where the forces who used to dominate the country while it was under military dictatorship and then in the years…Read more…
Cambodian bosses & politicians hope to get away with new labour law
After prolonged international pressure from both unions and multinational corporations, the Cambodian Parliament split on party lines to adopt a new labour law that falls far short of International…Read more…
Do we need a standard on health and safety?
Plans for a certifiable international standard on health and safety are well underway. It is called ISO45001. This is a really big development as most big employers are likely to try to achieve…Read more…
Brexit won’t save UK steel – The government could already do much more within the EU
Tata Steel, the second largest steel producer in Europe, employs thousands of British workers. Its plan to sell its UK assets has kicked the UK’s steel industry crisis up a gear, with up to 40,000…Read more…
What future for the HSE?
The HSE have recently launched a new strategy called “Helping Great Britain work well”. It has six themes – Acting together; tackling ill health; managing risk well; supporting small employers;…Read more…
Amnesty International report finds abuse still rife as Qatar & FIFA make excuses
Amnesty International has poured cold water on Qatar’s claims to be protecting workers on FIFA World Cup projects, exposing a litany of abuses faced by people refitting the Khalifa International…Read more…
Remain campaigners need a more ‘inclusive’ message
The House of Lords’ European Union Committee, chaired by Lord Boswell, issued a report yesterday arguing that the Government needed to “set out a positive, inclusive vision of the…Read more…
Iraq trade unions back the ‘white shirts revolution’
Last Friday, the Iraqi Teachers Union (ITU) openly endorsed the actions of students and teachers across Iraq (known as the ‘White Shirts Revolution’) who are standing up for justice, fair…Read more…
Solidarity with Turkish teacher unions
This Easter, the NASUWT 2016 International Solidarity Award went to the Turkish teachers’ trade union Egitim Sen, for its bravery in standing up for justice, democracy, labour and trade union…Read more…
Iranian teacher unions – good & bad news
Despite returning to the international community and the victory for moderates in the Parliamentary elections a month ago, life gets no better for trade unionists in Iran. As UK teacher unions hold…Read more…
Unions & brands press Cambodia over union law
A global union campaign to ensure fair labour laws in Cambodia has won the support of multinational brands and NGOs. IndustriALL and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) are supporting…Read more…
Wanted: Mike Ashley – Is this high noon for Sports Direct?
A showdown is brewing between billionaire Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley, and MPs investigating mistreatment of workers in his sportswear empire. The BIS Select Committee have been trying to…Read more…
Stand up to Racism demo: refugees welcome
On Saturday 19 March thousands of people will join the Stand up to Racism demonstration and rally in Central London to voice their opposition to inhumane way that the government has dealt with the…Read more…
Threat to safety representatives still there.
Tomorrow sees not just the budget but also the debate on the Trade Union Bill in the House of Lords. The Bill includes a provision to allow the Government to restrict access to facility time for…Read more…
What’s changed about attitudes to free trade?
I’ve already blogged once about the Wilton Park conference I attended recently on the subject of the Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership (TTIP) in terms of the impact of investor…Read more…
USA & right-wingers: looking for regime change in Venezuela?
Last week, Venezuela’s right-wing opposition launched a new campaign to remove President Nicolas Maduro from power, including by calling for his immediate resignation. The last campaign to oust the…Read more…
Women workers & the EU referendum
Frances O’Grady addressed the TUC Women’s Conference in London on Wednesday 9 March. Here is an edited version of the section of her speech that focused on the EU referendum, and the…Read more…
South Africa: the long campaign for justice for silicosis sufferers
The announcement of a settlement for 4,365 former gold miners in South Africa suffering from silicosis is welcome news. Anglo American South Africa and AngloGold Ashanti have agreed to put up to 464m…Read more…
Safety representatives – still all to play for
As the Trade Union Bill continues its passage through the House of Lords it is worth reminding ourselves about the potential implications for health and safety. As Frances O’Grady said in Hazards…Read more…
10 workers’ rights #Brexit would risk
The EU certainly isn’t perfect. But lurking within all the directives and regulations are a whole set of rights and protections for British workers. These rights came from the EU, and are…Read more…