Archive for 2010
End the killings. End the Impunity.
Posted on December 13, 2010
Clear message from the Colombian Trade Union leader Tarsicio Mora.
- The new President of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos said at his inauguration last spring that "respect for life is a sacred principle". But since then trade unionists and human right defenders continue to be killed and impunity still reigns.
The General Secretary of the Colombian Trade Union Congress (CUT), Tarsicio Mora gave a very clear report on the situation in his country when he visited Dublin on the 9th of December. He emphasised again the unified position of the Colombian Trade Union movement against the Free Trade Agreement with the European Union.
Read the latest Global Solidarity Newsletter
Posted on October 15, 2010
Important updates on our international trade union solidarity work
In this newsletter you will find news about the Global Solidarity Champions training course,its interactive teaching and dynamic discussions. You can also read more about the Clean Clothes Campaign, dedicated to improving working conditions and supporting the empowerment of garment workers in the Global South.
There are updates on our solidarity work with trade unions in Colombia, Burma, Iran and Palestine. The guest contributor this time is Claire Courteille, Director of the Equality Department in the International Trade Union Confederation. She writes about gender discrimination in the new globalised labour market, in the article "Poverty has a woman's face". Read more - Click here
The launch of the Irish Clean Clothes Campaign.
Posted on October 08, 2010
Successful workshop on the World Day for Decent Work
On the 7th of October, declared as the international trade union movement's world day for decent work, 30 people gathered in the Green House in Dublin to launch the Irish branch of the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC). The CCC is dedicated to improve working conditions and supporting the empowerment of workers in the garment and sportswear industry in the global south
Trade Union Voice at MDG Seminar
Posted on September 21, 2010
Congress has added its voice to the global trade union voice urging world leaders at this week's UN Summit in New York to Act Now to end global poverty. Congress has sent a submission to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Micheal Martin, in advance of the meeting. Speaking on the opening of the 3 day summit ITUC General Secretary, Sharan Burrow called on UN Member States to prioritize employment-centred policies as key to achieving the MDGs. Ireland and the US are co-hosting a major Hunger Event at the MDG Summit.
GLOBAL SOLIDARITY FORUM
Posted on September 02, 2010
International Trade Union Solidarity and Climate Change on the agenda
On the 27th and 28th of August Congress held its Global Solidarity Forum in ASTI's Head Office in Dublin. 57 trade unionists from the north and south of Ireland met to listen to interesting speakers and discuss how to develop our international trade union solidarity work.
Congress' Assistant General Secretary, Sally Anne Kinahan opened the Forum and emphasised how hard the economic crisis has hit the global south, where millions of people have been forced into extreme poverty after losing their jobs. She said that the international solidarity work is of utmost importance and was happy to see so many trade unionists coming to the Forum.
Sign the Global Petition on Child Labour and the Millennium Development Goals!
Posted on August 20, 2010
The Global March against Child Labour: "Your support is vital"
The continued existence of child labour is an obstacle to achieving the MDGs and, without achieving the MDGs, child labour cannot eliminated. The development goals of achieving the MDGs and eliminating and preventing child labour are inextricably linked and yet child labour remains as an invisible ninth MDG.
While not explicit in the list of eight Goals, eliminating child labour is nonetheless as critical as the others and cuts across the themes of them all. As long as millions children are forced by poverty and others circumstances into situations of exploitative labour, then they will continue to swell the ranks of those out of school.
Pakistan Floods - how you can help
Posted on August 12, 2010
The deadliest floods in Pakistan's sixty-three-year history have killed over 1,600 and affected nearly fourteen million people. The immediate challenge is an emerging food crisis, with millions of acres of farmland destroyed. The World Food Programme says at least six million people are at risk of going hungry and food shortages are expected to rise. Several Development NGOs are working to provide humanitarian assistance to help flood survivors, and many have set up some emergency responses.
Visit Dochas How you can Help site for further information.
ACT NOW on 2015
Posted on July 30, 2010
Keep the 0,7% development aid target!
Congress and 64 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
Posted 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"
Posted 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.