Two weeks ago, after 225 days in prison, Hsai Wan, from our 2020 Myanmar Young Leaders Programme (MYLP), was released along with over five thousand other political prisoners. He was imprisoned for wearing a tee-shirt with the message “down with the Dictatorship”. He told us that he is in good health. However, he is afraid …
The Thai Ministry of Health has agreed to prioritise pregnant workers for COVID vaccinations thanks to a recent union campaign. The death of a pregnant woman at an aluminium factory, whose baby was delivered by Caesarean section just before she died from Covid, prompted swift and effective action by union members who discussed the situation …
Pregnant workers prioritised for COVID vaccinations Read More »
Inspirasi (Indonesia) and Mindanao: Both these programmes have recruited ten and eight participants respectively from a wide range of civil society organisations, with completely revamped sustainable development courses for each. From May (Inspirasi) and from August (Mindanao), the programmes will be delivered remotely to participants in their homes, while it is hoped the second stage …
Demand for rubber gloves because of Covid-19 saw profits soar at Top Glove, the world’s largest rubber glove maker. But this drew attention to labour abuses in their Malaysian factories, including forced labour and debt bondage. Campaigners raised these issues in the media and pushed governments to ban Top Glove products. New Zealand has been …
Claims of Modern Slavery Prompt First Project in Nepal Read More »
Social media has been a driving force attracting a new generation of younger workers into union activities in Thailand. One effective strategy the Rangsit and Area Labour Union Group (RLUG) identified was to ask for volunteers to help make short video clips providing union information for young factory workers. Four new women members, Bow, Patty, …
Bangladesh: Bolstered by labour rights training workshops for National Garment Workers Federation delegates during Covid-19, union members from eight factories submitted collective demands to owners to enforce maternity leave provisions, to ensure safe workplaces and protect jobs. These new skills were also used at Masud Apparels to successfully fight off an attempt by the employer …
Migrant Workers Remediation PRoject Demand for rubber gloves because of Covid-19 saw profits soar at Top Glove, the world’s largest rubber glove maker. But this drew attention to labour abuses in their Malaysian factories, including forced labour and debt bondage. Campaigners raised these issues in the media and pushed governments to ban Top Glove products. …
Manoharam from the Narikuravar Craft Cooperative beading a necklace The lives and livelihoods of nearly three thousand Dalit and Tribal workers and their families in the Madurai area have been significantly improved through their active involvement with the Tamil Nadu Labour Union (TNLU). Projects funded by UnionAID have seen 2,790 scavengers, cobblers, basket weavers, street …
An emphasis on bringing in a new generation of potential union leaders has seen the increasing participation of young women workers on Rangsit and Area Labour Group (RLUG) committees and in other union activities near Bangkok. All session reporting is conducted either by one man and one woman, or two women – to build confidence …
New Approaches to Union Building Attract Younger Generation Read More »
Increasing repression of trade unions and COVID-19 restrictions have not stopped staff at BIEN in the Philippines continuing to build the power of call centre workers. Eight workshops with these workers have seen BIEN, the BPO Industry Employees Network, develop a comprehensive set of policies to reform the sector and give workers the security and …
Building Power in the Philippines Call Centre Industry Read More »
