The Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) held its Global Cement Network Meeting on 17 November 2025, bringing together union leaders, researchers, and the global union’s officers. The virtual gathering focused on financial and market trends, decarbonisation challenges, labour rights issues, and the implications of multinational company strategies for workers across all regions.

A central part of the meeting was the presentation by Gerard Rijk of Profundo, who gave an overview of global and regional construction and cement industry trends, showing how urbanisation, climate change, and demographic shifts are reshaping cement demand. Participants noted that 40 percent of global construction activity now takes place in Asia, with rapid expansion in the Middle East and Africa. Rijk explained that cement multinationals have increasingly rewarded shareholders through dividends and share buybacks, raising concerns about underinvestment in workers and sustainability. Participants also discussed Industry 4.0, including AI-driven construction technologies, work organisation, productivity, and skills requirements.

Several speakers raised alarm about the growing exploitation of migrant workers in parts of Africa, where multinational cement companies employ migrant workers despite high local unemployment. Reports highlighted the harsh working conditions, split-shift systems, rights violations, and the absence of proper medical surveillance for migrant workers. The vulnerability of climate refugees and irregular migrants entering the industry was highlighted.

Participants stressed the need for stronger union engagement and government oversight to protect these vulnerable workers.

Regional updates highlighted major challenges, from the war-affected cement sector in Ukraine to the growing presence of Chinese companies in Africa and Latin America. In Ukraine, the priority remains protecting workers, sustaining production, and preparing for future reconstruction. In Latin America, participants reported ongoing issues in collective bargaining, subcontracting, labour conflicts, and weaker labour standards when national companies take over former multinational assets. They stressed the need for close monitoring of corporate restructuring to safeguard jobs and bargaining rights.

The meeting also raised concerns about the treatment of contract workers in India’s cement industry, where many face precarious employment and limited protections. Unions warned that increased outsourcing is further weakening workers’ rights. The BWI affiliate INFCW is pushing for stronger legal recognition and plans public interest litigation before the Supreme Court. Priorities include strengthening collective bargaining, advancing just transition planning, improving skills training, enforcing safety standards, and ensuring contract workers are fully included in industry transition efforts.

The Union reported on the recent visit with the BWI to the Zuar Cement integrated plant (Heidelberg Materials) in Yerraguntla, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Pierre Cuppens, Chair of the BWI Global Cement Network, stated: "Workers deserve the same rights and protections whether they are employed in a company’s home country or abroad. We are calling for equal treatment for all workers across Europe and around the world."

Next steps and future strategy

The meeting closed with renewed commitment to building a global union strategy that addresses climate change, technological transformation, and corporate restructuring, while placing workers at the centre of the future of the cement industry. The following actions were agreed upon:

1. negotiating international framework agreements with multinational companies,
2. strengthening regional networks,
3. ensuring compliance with and enforcement of national legislation in the various countries where multinationals operate,
4. decarbonization,
5. Incorporating ILO recommendations into national legislation,
6. limiting subcontracting, and
7. Analyzing diversification strategies and shareholder dividends.

BWI and its affiliates will advocate for the implementation of Conclusions and recommendations - Technical Meeting on the Promotion of Decent Work and a Just Transition in the Building Materials Industry, including Cement | International Labour Organization, into national legislation and collective bargaining agreements. Accessible materials will also be developed to help workers and union members understand and apply these standards worldwide.