Action alert: Union organising, not a crime!

In the run-up to BWI’s first World Board Meeting from 31 May to 1 June, we call on all our affiliates around the world to mobilise online and offline in support of a Global Day of Action on 1 June 2023 to defend trade union rights, put an end to the systematic persecution of trade union leaders, and express solidarity with all the brave trade unionists, particularly women workers, who are risking their liberty and lives to protect labour rights and democracy.


We will bring the world's attention to the situation of trade unionists who are subjected to state-led oppression under the banner "Union Organizing, Not a Crime." We shall urge the International Labour Conference (ILC), which will convene on 5 June, and all other related and pertinent international organisations and platforms to vigorously defend the rights and liberties of trade unionists and workers, including the freedom of association, and the right to self-organise, engage in concerted actions, and collectively bargain.


An alarming number of trade unionists and workers have been arrested, imprisoned, tried using fake evidence, and killed around the world, including in Belarus, Peru, South Korea, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Myanmar. With a few notable instances, those in charge of these egregious violations of labour laws frequently go unpunished. This cannot go on unopposed! The international community, particularly the United Nations (UN), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and all its related bodies must take action to pressure governments to recognize International Labour Law, notably the protection of the freedom of association and the right to organise, which are covered by ILO Convention No. 87, one of the eight fundamental ILO conventions that protect labor rights. 


Take action! BWI calls on its affiliates to: 


  • Mobilise trade union members to take photos of themselves holding our campaign posters and post them on different social media platforms with the hashtag #UnionismNotACrime 

  • Issue statements to the ILC, ILO, government leaders, policy and opinion makers, and media practitioners anchored on our message that trade unionism, particularly the workers’ right to self-organisation is not a crime but a universally recognised right of all working people. 

  • Send us a copy of your statements, as well as reports and photos of your actions to  info@bwint.org