(7/3/2010)
Make Decent Work a Reality for Working Women
In commemoration of International Women’s Day 8 March 2010, BWI is launching a special section on its website called "Voices of women from BWI" that focus on campaigns for decent work with the slogan "Make decent work a reality for working women". "We need to ensure that Gender Equality Procedures and Legislations across the globe are respected and good practices are promoted through lobbying and networking in the regions," says Ambet Yuson, General Secretary of the BWI. Though on a positive...
(5/3/2010)
Chilean workers need your support now!
BWI has now re-established contact with its affiliates in Chile. Information received from the CTF, Confederation of Forestry Workers, is that the head office of the union, in Concepcion, has been destroyed by the effects of the earthquake. This city was the closest to the epicenter of Sunday's earthquake. The leadership of the union, Sergio Gatica and Jorge Gonzalez and their families, have survived the earthquake.
We have also re-established contact with our affiliated unions in the...
(2/3/2010)
Solidarity campaign: ACT NOW! The EU reaches trade deal with Colombia
"The European Union reached a free trade deal with Colombia and Peru on 1st of March 2010 that will fully liberalise commerce in some sectors between the 27-country bloc and the two Latin American nations. The deal is part of an effort by the EU to reach a free trade agreement with the Andean Group of countries. In such a context BWI will continue to raise concerns on the issue of human and trade union rights for Colombian civilians," said Ambet Yuson, general secretary of the BWI. "We cannot...
(2/3/2010)
Solidarity campaign Zimbabwe: ACT NOW! Arrest, Intimidation and Harassment of BWI affiliate GAPWUZ
"The BWI strongly condemns the continuing arrests, harassments and intimidation of trade unionists by your security forces, which in our opinion represent worst abuses of workers’ rights. We urge you to order the security forces to immediately and unconditionally release GAPWUZ officials that are currently under arrest in Zimbabwe and to ensure the return of any properties taken from their offices by your security personnel," said BWI general secretary Ambet Yuson. In its message to the...
(2/3/2010)
South Korean Courts Rule in Favour of the Ulsan Construction Plant Worker
On 15 January 2010 the South Korean courts ruled once again in favour of the Ulsan Construction Plant Union members who had peacefully participated in “Three Steps, One Bow” protest in downtown Seoul on May 23, 2005. The “Three Steps, One Bow” is a traditional Korean ritual protest conducted by Buddhist monks, Catholic priests, trade unionists, and democratic activist use as a form of protest to highlight political, democratic, and labour issues. At the time, over 700 members of Ulsan...
(2/3/2010)
BWI reaches out to its affiliates in Chile
As has been widely reported, the country of Chile was hit by a massive earthquake only a few days ago. Since hearing the dramatic news, the BWI has continued to reach out to its affiliated unions in the country to offer solidarity at this time of national crisis. The Confederation of Forestry Workers (CTF) has its headquarters in the central city of Concepcion, the closest conurbation to the epicenter of the earthquake which measured 8.8 on the Richter Scale. Most of the country’s forestry...
(2/3/2010)
BWI urges speedy return to democracy in Niger
"The BWI urges speedy return to democracy in Niger following the military coup which ousted President Mamadou Tandja on 18 February 2010," said Ambet Yuson, general secretary of the BWI." Full respect for human and trade union rights is an absolute necessity in this country." According to the latest news received by the BWI, the military leadership in Niger has formed a new transitional government of 20 ministers, including five soldiers and five women. The new military leader, Major Salou...
(2/3/2010)
4th CUPPEC Convention focuses on “Decent Work and Social Transformation”
The 4th Convention of CUPPEC was held in Kathmandu from 16 to 18 February 2010 under the theme Decent Work and Social Transformation. The convention commenced with a huge workers’ rally in central Kathmandu. The convention elected Naranath Luitel and Manohari Siwakoti as the new CUPPEC President and General Secretary. Outgoing President Jitendra Shrestha was elected as the President of the delegate council. Important resolutions were passed on climate change, child labour, youth, gender and...
(1/3/2010)
Global Unions show solidarity with Turkish workers
Gathering outside the Permanent Mission of Turkey in Geneva, a delegation representing the ITUC and 6 Global Union Federations handed over a letter (given below) for the Ambassador on Friday, February 26 calling for the respect of trade union rights in the country. Despite agreeing to meeting the delegation in advance, the Ambassador had informed late that he was unable to receive the group. However, the letter was handed over to an administrative representative of the Permanent Mission. The...
(23/2/2010)
ACT NOW! Solidarity Campaign for the safety of migrants from Burma, Cambodia and Laos working in Thailand
Burmese migrants’ ‘illegal’ entry into Thailand results from difficulties experienced by the Royal Thai Government (RTG) and the Burmese military junta. Since the 1990s, the RTG has annually held 30-day registration periods for ‘illegal’ migrants to register and receive amnesty to work in Thailand ‘legally’ for one year, pending deportation. This process has been costly for migrants, bureaucratic for employers and reliant on exploitative and unregulated brokerage systems. Furthermore, migrants...
(23/2/2010)
Hong Kong Unions Will Campaign for a 12% Wage Increase in the Industry
According to a month-long survey conducted by the Construction Site General Workers Union of Hong Kong, the average daily wage of a construction worker is $600 HKD ($78 USD). This is $215 HKD ($20 USD) less than the official wages reported by the main contractors to the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department. The difference in the wages reported and the real wages received by the workers is due to a number of factors, most notably, the multi-level subcontracting system in the construction...
(18/2/2010)
Nordic Unions call for the Development of Construction using Wood
Tuusula, Finland: Today (February 18, 2010) the meeting of the BWI’s affiliates in the wood and forestry industry in the Nordic region (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden) adopted the following position paper on the use of wood in the construction industry. The document is given below for your information. The unions also plan to raise the issue with their respective employer organizations and ask for their support for the position. Wood construction in the Nordic states – towards green...
(16/2/2010)
International Trade Union Reaffirms Support for Burmese Workers
Representatives of the Federation of Trade Unions of Burma (FTUB), ITUC and its affiliates along with Global Union Federations and several Trade Union Solidarity Support Organizations reaffirm their commitment to support FTUB’s work in ensuring labour rights for all Burmese workers. Guy Ryder, General Secretary of the ITUC stressed the importance of coordinating the international trade union’s efforts to support the FTUB and bring about genuine democracy in Burma, through concise strategies and...
(15/2/2010)
Colombia: The European Parliament must suspend FTA negotiations
"The global trade union movement cannot tolerate that the Colombian Government organizes a lobbying campaign at the European Parliament in an attempt to mislead the European Parliament members in particular, on the situation of human rights in the country so as to promote an early conclusion of the negotiations of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA)." says Klaus Wiesehügel, President of the BWI. "If the international community does not take proper action now, trade unionists in Colombia will continue...
(15/2/2010)
Blending Coffee Ceremony to HIV/AIDS Workplace Coalition Strategy -Case of Ethiopian affiliate
Fostering partnership with members of the Business Coalition, sharing tact among companies and using the widespread network of the National Centre (CETU) is emerging as important aspects of improving the results at workplace in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The Ethiopian Federation of Construction, an affiliate of BWI has succeeded in organizing leadership commitment workshop, establishing workplace committees that include women, youth and in some cases solidarity funds established to assist...
(11/2/2010)
Affiliates are invited to submit their films for Night of Labour Shorts Festival in Geneva
To promote the development of trade union films, the International Metalworkers’ Federation, in collaboration with the Global Unions, is hosting the 4th Annual Geneva Labour Film Shorts Festival in Geneva, Switzerland. Affiliates are invited to submit copies of short films that they have produced or been involved in producing on union and worker responses to the global financial crisis and climate change. Films need to be submitted to the BWI by no later than 15 February 2010. Please send...
(9/2/2010)
Southern India: TKTMS helps in setting up a Construction Academy in Tamil Nadu
The Construction Workers’ Welfare Board in Tamil Nadu has for the very first time set up a Construction Academy to strengthen and develop the construction industry in the State. The proposed Construction Academy is set to come up on 50 Acres of land in the Kancheepuram district with a total cost outlay of about 50 Crore Rupees (more than USD 10 million) and shall work towards enhancing workers skills, upgrading building technology and additionally imparting training to the interested youth from...
(8/2/2010)
Italy: New general secretary for Feneal Uil
Workers are still reeling from the most severe economic crisis. Feneal Uil is mobilizing and campaigning the Italian government to ensure that recovery programmes address workers needs. According to Antonio Correale the newly elected general secretary of Feneal Uil "There is a need to engage immediately in a tripartite dialogue in order to reinstate security in the country after the earthquake and to create work remembering the tragedies occurred in our beautiful but devastated country." Around...
(8/2/2010)
Ten priorities for the BWI in 2010!
After a debrief meeting about congress to enhance performance, the BWI workshop including headquarters and regional staff looked at ten priorities for 2010. Among the priorities, Multinationals (MNCs), Organising IFIs projects and other public works, Migration, Wood and Forestry, Sports campaign, Green construction, Women and youth, Communication, Building global and regional capacity, and Financial sustainability.
The workshop pointed at the importance of a coordinated action on the...
(5/2/2010)
India: BWI Unions tell Quebec Premier Mr. Charest: Asbestos? No Thanks !!!
Trade unions and human rights activists have urged Quebec’s Premier to stop shipping chrysotile asbestos to India when his own government is spending millions of dollars to remove chrysotile asbestos from Quebec's schools, hospitals and buildings.
Today, more than 150 members of BWI affiliates – Delhi Asangathit Nirman Mazdoor Sangathan (DANMU); Nirman Mazdoor Panchayat Sangam (NMPS) and Mahanagar Asangathit Mazdoor Sangathan (MAMU) assembled in front of the Federation of Indian...
