ACT NOW on 2015
Issued on July 30, 2010
Keep the 0,7% development aid target!
Congress and 61 other organizations have joined the campaign "Act now on 2015". The campaign, which follows up last year's "We Do Care" campaign, calls on the government to deliver on its promise to reach the UN target of spending 0.7% of national income on overseas aid by 2015.
Ireland international reputation is built on its long held commitment to the world's poor. Even in tough economic times, aid is affordable. 0.7% is not just a number - it is trained teachers and doctors; t is more schools and hospitals; it is people living their lives with hope and dignity. Our aid promise is something to be proud of. Ireland must act now to keep it.
Congress protests against Iraq
Issued on July 28, 2010
Banning of trade unions in the electricity sector
In a letter of the 27th of July to the Prime Minster of Iraq Mr. Nori Al-Maliki, the General Secretary of Congress David Begg protests against the latest violation of trade union rights in Iraq.
On July 20, the Minister of Electricity on behalf of the government issued a Ministerial Order, which prohibits all trade union activities in the electricity sector. It orders the ministry in coordination with the police to close all trade union offices and take control of the trade unions' assets, properties, documents, furniture and computers. Finally, the Ministerial Order grants the police authority, under the terrorism act of 2005, to arrest any trade union activist who tries to protest against this unjust action.
Jorge Gamboa: "Your solidarity gives us strength"
Issued on July 19, 2010
Colombian Trade Union leader visited Ireland.
The importance of the Irish trade union movements'solidarity work with Colombia was highlighted by Jorge Gamboa during his visit to Ireland 25 - 30 May.
- I can not enough emphasise how much the international trade union solidarity means to us. We are working under very difficult circumstances and the knowledge that people in other countries are waging solidarity campaigns for our movement, gives us strength to continue our struggle.
Clean Clothes Campaign: Educate and Mobilise Consumers!
Issued on July 13, 2010
Improve working conditions of garment workers in the global south.
The Irish branch of Clean Clothes Campaign will be launched within some months. As part of the preparations a public meeting was held in Dublin on the 25th of May. More than 50, mostly young, people attended. Almost all of them signed a list declaring their interest to join the work of an Irish branch of the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC).
Dramatic increase in the number of trade unionists murdered in 2009
Issued on June 17, 2010
101 killings - an increase of 30% over the previous year
The International Trade Union Confederation's Annual Survey of Trade Union Rights has documented a dramatic increase in the number of trade unionists murdered in 2009, with 101 killings - an increase of 30% over the previous year. The Survey, released on the 9th of June, also reveals growing pressure on fundamental workers' rights around the world as the impact of the global economic crisis on employment deepened.
