Read the latest Global Solidarity Newsletter
Issued on March 02, 2010
Important updates on our international trade union solidarity work
In this newsletter you will find updates about the solidarity campaign and lobby work of Justice for Colombia, the partnership project we have with the Lesotho Congress of Democratic Unions, the support we hope to give to the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions through the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign beginning in 2010.
On page 7 you can read about the desperate employment conditions that garment workers, mostly women, are enduring and Congress' response to this by focusing on 'clean clothes campaign' with other Irish groups who share these concerns.
Congress protest against Iran
Issued on February 18, 2010
David Begg: "Solidarity with the Iranian trade Union movement."
In a letter to the Iranian Ambassador Mr. Ebrahim Rahimpour the General Secretary David Begg protests against Iran denying its labour force the most basic rights. He writes that "the Iranian government has targeted independent unions for repression and many of their leaders are now in prison. Strikes and labour celebrations are not tolerated and workers are effectively deprived of representation. Arrests, intimidation and legal persecution are common."
David Begg emphsises Congress solidarity with the Iranian trade union movement and gives ICTU's full support for their basic demands:
- Abolishment of executions.
- Immediate and unconditional release of labour activists and all other social movements activists from jails.
- Immediate and unconditional freedom in formation of trade unions.
Congress and LECODU's succesful partnership project in Lesotho
Issued on February 15, 2010
"This project is rescuing embattled and marginalized workers of Lesotho and their families".
ICTU and the Lesotho Congress of Democratic Unions have, together with Irish Aid, developed this trade union capacity building project. The first year has been successful and LECODU is now represented in all 10 districts of the country. Previously LECODU only had committees in two of the districts.
HIV/AIDS
The HIV/AIDS information campaign, which is a part of the project, is expanding. In Lesotho, where 25% of the population is infected and more than 300,000 children are orphans due to the epidemic, HIV/AIDS is an issue of high priority for the trade union movement. The existence of the ten district committees has contributed to a more decentralised and effective HIV/AIDS information campaign work.
€ 102,117 for Medical Aid to Gaza.
Issued on January 27, 2010
Congress' Gaza emergency solidarity campaign in 2009 resulted in an impressive €102,117.
All the funding was directed to Irish Medical Aid for Palestinians (IMAP). €43,200 came from direct contributions from affiliated unions and €58,917 came from a separate campaign where artist Robert Ballagh had produced a limited edition print to raise funds for medical aid to Gaza.
Individual trade union members Mags O'Brien SIPTU, Noirin Green UNITE and Anne Casey ICTU ran this succesful campaign. At a special solidarity event on the 23rd of June in Liberty Hall most of the funding was given to the Chairman of IMAP Mr. Mick Lanigan. There are still a small number of Ballagh's Gaza prints available, if you are interested in buying one (€150), please contact the Global Solidarity office.
Succesful Solidarity work on Colombia
Issued on December 17, 2009
Yessika Hoyos Morales: "Make sure that Europe does not put commercial interests before Human Rights"
Trade union solidarity work on Colombia has had recent success. On the 9th of December Congress along with the TUC in the UK and the European Trade Union Confederation organised a hearing in the European Parliament in Brussels. More than 100 people, including several MEPs, from all around Europe attended the hearing and several European speakers mentioned the Congress letter, co-signed by all the Irish MEPs, to the EU-Commission demanding the suspension of the European Union's negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement with Colombia. Congress was represented by the chairperson of the Irish branch of Justice For Colombia Mick Dowling and the Global Solidarity Officer Stellan Hermansson.
