Japan, Global, Kyrgyzstan
ITUC protests over proposed strike law changes
The International Trade Union Confederation has written a letter of protest to the speaker of the Kyrgyz parliament over plans to restrict the right to strike. If the legislation is enacted then strikes in strategic enterprises could be deemed illegal and trade unions subject to criminal charges. Read more at > ITUC (EN)
US unions relieved after court deadlock
Public sector trade unions in the US have welcomed the outcome of a Supreme Court case that leaves intact their right to charge non-members who choose not to join but who benefit from the unions' collective bargaining work. This right had been called into question by a member of the teachers' union supported by a group of rich individuals and trusts. The case was referred to the Supreme Court whose deliberations ended in deadlock. [Read more at > PSI->http://www.world-psi.org/en/us-supreme-court-decision-gives-reprieve-public-sector-unions] [Read more at > AFSCME->http://www.afscme.org/news
Unions argue for increased wage share
(August 2016) The International Trade Union Confederation and trade unions at the G20 summit of leading industrial nations have called for world leaders to take urgent steps to boost the global economy through co-ordinated action to increase wages and their share in national income. The ITUC says that rebuilding strong labour market institutions to create quality jobs and reduce income inequality must be a priority. Read more at ITUC (EN/FR/ES).
Economic situation and workers’ rights, organizing, privatization, PSI Congress top agenda in Russia-Central Asia constituency
Outsourcing of laundry services in hospitals, the establishment of private clinics and how to represent and defend workers were some of the developments that confront the Kyrgyz and Tajik health unions.
Japanese and European public service unions condemn secrecy in trade negotiations and the lack of a progressive agenda addressing people’s concerns
Today Public services unions from Europe and Japan have sent an open letter to Cecilia Malstrom and Fumio Kishida demanding greater transparency in the negotiations to reach a trade agreement between Japan and the EU (JEFTA).
International union campaign against gender-based violence
International union organisations are promoting a major campaign against gender-based violence, a key aim of which is to get the International Labour Organisation to adopt a new convention. Launched on 14 February, the 23 days of action are building critical support for the adoption of a convention, accompanied by a Recommendation, on “Violence and Harassment against Women and Men in the World of Work”, with a strong focus on the gender dimension of violence. The campaign is also mobilising and strengthening trade union action in eradicating gender-based violence from the world of work.
Call for global action on investment in care and decent work
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has produced a new report arguing for a doubling of investment in the care sector to prevent a global care crisis. It says that investment on this scale could create 269 million new jobs by 2030 and provide a major boost to women's employment while addressing massive gender inequality in unpaid care. The ILO estimates that over 600 million women want paid employment but are prevented from entering the labour market because of their caring responsibilities. The report underlines the need for a "high road" to increase care provision which means
Global analysis highlights low wage growth and gender pay gap
The International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Global Wage Report 2018-19 finds that wage developments in high-income countries declined from 0.9% to 0.4% from 2016 to 2017. This trend is puzzling for the ILO in the context of a recovery in economic growth and falling unemployment and it argues that wage stagnation is an obstacle to further economic growth and rising living standards. The report also looks at the gender pay gap and using a new way of analysing the difference in men and women's pay finds that the gap has been underestimated in many countries.