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International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU)

The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), was set up in 1949 and has 225 affiliated organisations in 148 countries and territories on all five continents, with a membership of 157 million. It has three major regional organisations, APRO for Asia and the Pacific, AFRO for Africa, and ORIT for the Americas. It also maintains close links with the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) (which includes all ICFTU European affiliates) and Global Union Federations, which link together national unions from a particular trade or industry at international level.

http://www.icftu.org/

(Added: Fri Aug 30 2002   Modified: Tue Dec 06 2005   Hits: 160)

International Development Matters

The online monthly newsletter of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), which comments on workers' rights in developing countries.

http://www.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-12494-f0.cfm#tuc-12494-19

(Added: Wed Oct 04 2006   Hits: 107)

International Labour Organisation

The International Labour Organization is the UN specialized agency which seeks the promotion of social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights. The ILO formulates international labour standards in the form of Conventions and Recommendations setting minimum standards of basic labour rights: freedom of association, the right to organize, collective bargaining, abolition of forced labour, equality of opportunity and treatment, and other standards regulating conditions across the entire spectrum of work related issues. It promotes the development of independent employers' and workers' organizations and provides training and advisory services to those organizations. Within the UN system, the ILO has a unique tripartite structure with workers and employers participating as equal partners with governments in the work of its governing organs.

http://www.ilo.org/public/english/

(Added: Tue Aug 06 2002   Modified: Tue Dec 06 2005   Hits: 172)

Labour Behind the Label

Labour Behind the Label is a membership organisation which brings together pressure groups, trade unions and individuals in support of garment workers' efforts to improve their working conditions and wages. It draws attention to the plight of garment workers everywhere, including Britain, and works to facilitate information exchange and international solidarity between workers and consumers. It calls on companies to: · abide by the internationally agreed core conventions of the UN's International Labour Organisation (ILO) · commit themselves to a living wage and to the independent verification of labour standards · take responsibility for improving working conditions along the entirety of their supply chain.

http://www.labourbehindthelabel.org/

(Added: Mon Jul 21 2003   Modified: Thu Mar 24 2005   Hits: 171)

McDonalds Workers Resistance

McDonalds Workers Resistance is a loose network controlled by McDonalds workers. We encourage McWorkers around the world to set up resistance groups at their stores, and through the network we can work together for higher wages, better conditions and a greater degree of control over our working lives.

http://mwr.org.uk/

(Added: Wed Oct 16 2002   Modified: Thu Jan 18 2007   Hits: 202)

Mission Report on the Effects on Human Rights of the NAFTA

This mission, conducted in Mexico between 22 and 31 of August 2005, looked specifically at the effects of NAFTA, ten years after its entering into force, on employment and working conditions in the Northern part of the country, in particular in the maquilas (free zones) and in the informal economy. FIDH calls upon Mexican authorities to reform current labour law in order to ensure that workers are protected, and in particular to raise the minimum wage to ensure a basic living wage; to promote an effective and independent mecanism for the protection and enforcement of labour laws and to ensure that trade unions are independent, representative and transparent. (FIDH, November 2005)

http://www.fidh.org/article.php3?id_article=3304

(Added: Thu Oct 12 2006   Modified: Thu Jan 18 2007   Hits: 82)

Nigeria: Domestic workers or modern day slaves?

Human traffickers make good business taking poorly educated girls from Nigerian villages to toil as domestic workers in the sprawling urban throb of Lagos. But the girls, some as young as five years old, see little or none of their earnings. Across West Africa, millions of girls - and less often boys - are effectively sold into slavery as domestic workers. Sexual, physical and emotional abuse is widespread. Many are kept under lock and key, and have no contact with anyone outside their employers - no one to turn to for help. (IRIN News, September 12, 2006)

http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=55523&SelectRegion=West_Africa

(Added: Wed Sep 13 2006   Modified: Thu Jan 18 2007   Hits: 155)

Play Fair

Play Fair at the Olympics is a campaign to persuade sportswear companies and the International Olympic Committee to take their responsibilities seriously. Just because they are under pressure to meet market demands, that's no excuse for pushing their manufacturers into exploitative business practices. Some companies have labour codes of conduct already, but when push comes to shove, workerstill get abused and exploited. That's why we're asking you to send a message to Puma, ASICS, FILA and the IOC now.

http://www.fairolympics.org

(Added: Mon Mar 29 2004   Modified: Tue Dec 06 2005   Hits: 208)

Problematic Pragmatism The Ruggie Report 2008: Background, Analysis and Perspectives

This analysis of John Ruggie's "Protect, Respect and Remedy: a Framework for Business and Human Rights" finds that while Ruggie's report importantly 'identifies grave deficits in the current human rights regime that represent an obstacle to protection to individuals and communities against corporate-related human rights violations' it does not respond to the global governance gaps it notes with global governance solutions.'

http://www.globalpolicy.org/reform/business/2008/0601pragmatism.pdf

(Added: Thu Jun 26 2008   Hits: 23)

Protect the rights of all migrants in South Korea

Migrant workers in South Korea are often subjected to human rights abuses by unscrupulous employers as well as by the government. They are denied rights at work, freedom of association, freedom of movement and the right to liberty and security of person. Restrictions are placed on their freedom of movement and they are denied the right to form trade unions. Urge the Prime Minister to change this situation.

http://web.amnesty.org/pages/kor-181206-action-eng

(Added: Fri Jan 12 2007   Modified: Thu Jan 18 2007   Hits: 161)

Public Services International

PSI is a global union federation made up of more than 600 trade unions. We represent more than 20 million workers who deliver public services in 160 countries around the world. PSI and its affiliates are committed to building quality public services that meet the needs of workers and communities. Priorities include global campaigns for water, energy and health services. PSI promotes gender equality, worker rights, trade union capacity building, equity and diversity. PSI is also active in trade and development debates.

http://www.world-psi.org

(Added: Thu Jun 16 2005   Hits: 102)

Report on the Human Rights Situation in Oaxaca, Mexico

This report is the result of a visit by twenty individuals (including human rights lawyers, journalists, authors, investigators, graduate students, and activists) from the United States and Canada, who came together in Oaxaca out of concern for what appeared to be serious violations of human rights. This report provides some background regarding the roots of the conflict based on presentations and discussions in Oaxaca as well as published accounts in the media, and summarizes the testimony received regarding human rights violations. The killings and beating of people involved in the teachers' struggle at the end of 2006 and only the latest episode in a conflict that has lasted decades. (Robin Alexander, No Sweat, 4 January 2007)

http://www.nosweat.org.uk/node/261

(Added: Mon Feb 19 2007   Hits: 159)

Slavery and Deforestation In Amazonia

The Brazilian Amazon is famed for its flora and fauna. But a better focus on the human problems of the region who are so often ignored in the green discourse could reverse the ecological damage that is being caused. The areas of Amazonia where the land is being cleared with the greatest abandon, usually for soy, are those where slavery is most in commonly practice. (Hugh O'Shaugnessy, Counterpunch, 14 July 2006)

http://www.counterpunch.org/oshaughnessy07142006.html

(Added: Wed Aug 16 2006   Modified: Thu Jan 18 2007   Hits: 101)

Slaves in Amazon Forced to Make Materials Used by GM

In this article labour inspectors visit Peru and Brazil, where slave labour is used to make products for export to the United States and Europe. Workers suffer severe health problems. The authors speak to human rights groups, the corporations and the authorities to find where the blame lies. (Michael Smith and David Voreacos, Bloomberg, 2 November 2006)

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=aMwWoD6G0Z9w&refer=latin_america

(Added: Fri Nov 03 2006   Modified: Thu Jan 18 2007   Hits: 190)

Stop Sex Discrimination in Guatemalan Maquilas

U.S. and South Korean clothing manufacturers and food processing companies contract with maquilas in Guatemala that discriminate against women on the basis of their reproductive status. Press the government of South Korea to publicly denounce sex discrimination in maquilas owned and managed by South Koreans. Urge the U.S. Secretary of State to speak out about abuses against women by U.S. companies abroad. If you are a U.S. citizen, write your representative and senators in Congress.

http://hrw.org/campaigns/guatemala/

(Added: Tue Oct 03 2006   Modified: Thu Jan 18 2007   Hits: 254)

Sustainable Development of the Global Economy: a Trade Union Perspective (PDF)

Author(s): Gereluk, W.; Royer, L. Produced by: International Institute for Labour Studies (IILS), ILO (2001) This paper addresses the extent to which the trade union perspective on sustainable development incorporates its concerns about globalisation. It offers discussion on sustainable development as a trade union concern, decision-making in energy and transport, trade union prescriptions for sustainable energy and transport and priorities for an international approach to sustainable development (PDF 115Kb).

http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/ses/download/docs/sustain.pdf

(Added: Mon Sep 22 2003   Modified: Wed Dec 07 2005   Hits: 171)

Talking Points: Colombia's Horrific Labor Abuses Are Among a Long List of Reasons to Oppose the Colombia FTA

This Public Citizen article looks at the situation for Unionists trying to ensure workers rights in Colombia, the worlds most dangerous country for unionists.

http://www.citizen.org/documents/ColombiaTalkingPoints2008.pdf

(Added: Thu Jul 03 2008   Hits: 5)

Thai Labour Campaign

Thai Labour Campaign is a Thai run non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to promoting workers' rights in Thailand and increasing awareness of labour issues globally.

http://www.thailabour.org/

(Added: Fri Sep 17 2004   Modified: Thu Jan 18 2007   Hits: 265)

The brief describes three innovative initiatives to get girls out of work and into school in China, India and the Philippines. These initiatives incor

The 30 page report describes three innovative initiatives to get girls out of work and into school in China, India and the Philippines. These initiatives incorporate methods such as training girls to be peer educators; direct assistance to cover education costs; incorporating life skills and sex education; creating participatory "girl-friendly" environments and outreach education for communities; community mobilisation against bonded labour; training local girl-child activists to educate communities. The brief sets out key actions required to increase girls' participation in education. (UNESCO Bankok, 2006)

http://www.unescobkk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/appeal/gender/pdf/girls.pdf

(Added: Tue Aug 15 2006   Modified: Thu Jan 18 2007   Hits: 70)

The End of Child Labour: Within Reach (pdf)

The International Labour Organization's 100-page new report is cautiously optimistic. Child labour, especially in its worst forms, is in decline for the first time across the globe, and could feasibly be eliminated, in most of its worst forms, in 10 years. The report attributes the reduction in child labour to increased political will and awareness and concrete action, particularly in the field of poverty reduction and mass education that has led to a worldwide movement against child labour. Challenges that remain in the fight against child labour are reaching agricultural workers, addressing the impact of HIV/AIDS on child labour, and building stronger links between child labour and youth employment concerns. It is important to keep up the current pace of the decline through concerted action. (ILO, May 2006)

http://www.ilo.org/public/english/standards/relm/ilc/ilc95/pdf/rep-i-b.pdf

(Added: Tue May 16 2006   Hits: 86)

The Fair Trade Zone

On October 18, 2004 the Nueva Vida Women's Sewing Cooperative (COMAMNUVI) in Nicaragua received certification as a free trade zone. However, the women worker/owners describe it as as much a "fair trade zone". They produce clothing made out of organic cotton for a chain in the US, and their certification as the world's first worker owned free trade zone means that they can compete on an equal footing - tax breaks, duty free import and export - with traditional "sweatshops" while providing just pay, fair working conditions, and worker control of the workplace. The women have worked their way out of poverty, and are now contributing some of the profits towards social projects in the community, once devastated by Hurricane Mitch. Their website explains how their success came about, the concepts of free and fair trade zones, and how to buy the products via the web.

http://www.fairtradezone.jhc-cdca.org/index.htm

(Added: Mon Apr 10 2006   Hits: 76)

The Maquila Solidarity Network (MSN)

The Maquila Solidarity Network (MSN) is a labour and women's rights advocacy organization promoting solidarity with grassroots groups in Mexico, Central America, and Asia working to improve conditions in maquiladora factories and export processing zones. We believe retailers must be accountable for the conditions under which their products are made. Since 1995, we have supported garment workers' efforts to improve working conditions through policy advocacy, corporate campaigning and engagement, participation in multi-stakeholder initiatives to promote corporate accountability, and local labour rights capacity building. In a global economy groups in the North and South must work together for employment with dignity, fair wages and working conditions, and healthy workplaces and communities.

http://www.maquilasolidarity.org/

(Added: Wed Mar 16 2005   Modified: Thu Jan 18 2007   Hits: 122)

The National Labor Committee; Putting a Human Face on the Global Economy

Transnational corporations now roam the world to find the cheapest and most vulnerable workers. The lack of accountability on the part of our U.S. corporations - now operating all over the world, and the resulting dehumanization of this new global workforce is emerging as the overwhelming moral crisis of the 21st century. The mission of the National Labor Committee is to help defend the human rights of workers in the global economy. With a database of over 22,000 organisations and individuals, NLC serve as an information center, distributing literature and videos. This is the newly developed website of the organisation.

http://www.nlcnet.org/

(Added: Thu May 11 2006   Modified: Fri Feb 09 2007   Hits: 66)

The Price of Dignity by Anita Roddick

In this article Anita Roddick gives a brief survey of the shocking working conditions caused by the ability of corporations to transfer their factories to locations with lower standards and rewards for workers. She then outlines some approaches that need to taken if the situation is to improve. She says campaigns are needed to keep jobs in the developing world while at the same time working to guarantee respect for worker rights. Furthermore, we need enforceable laws to defend workers' rights - laws every bit as strong as those currently afforded to products.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,3604,1046792,00.html

(Added: Tue Sep 30 2003   Modified: Thu Jun 15 2006   Hits: 464)

The UN Human Rights Norms For Business: Towards Legal Accountability (PDF)

This booklet provides an introduction to the UN Human Rights Norms for Business. It answers a number of questions about the UN Norms and their legal status, and includes an overview of their development, background on the drafting process, and a description of the content and legal status of the UN Norms. In Amnesty International's view, governments, advocates and companies should support the UN Human Rights Norms for Business as offering an authoritative and comprehensive statement of the responsibilities of companies in relation to human rights. The UN Norms provide clarity and credibility amidst many competing voluntary codes that too often lack international legitimacy, and provide far less detail on human rights issues. (PDF Format - 150kb)

http://web.amnesty.org/aidoc/aidoc_pdf.nsf/Index/IOR420012004ENGLISH/$File/IOR4200104.pdf

(Added: Wed Jan 21 2004   Modified: Tue Dec 06 2005   Hits: 304)

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