High Price Paid For Union Activity

While ACM members have to contend with things like bullying, grievances, restructuring and the over large egos of some college bosses, some of our fellow trades unionist across the world face significantly more dangerous issues.

In 2006, 144 trade unionists were murdered for defending workers’ rights, while more than 800 suffered beatings or torture, according to a worldwide survey released today by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).

The Survey of Violations of Trade Unions Rights uncovers a shocking increase in anti-trade union violence, with the number of murders rising from 115 in 2005 to 144 in 2006. The increase is due in part to the brutal treatment of trade unionists in the Philippines, now the second most dangerous place in the world, after Colombia. A total of 33 murders and 130 instances of trade union and human rights violations were reported in the Philippines last year.

The ITUC survey reveals that anti-trade union repression is taking place in every continent across the globe, including Europe. Nearly 5,000 arrests were reported along with more than 8,000 dismissals of workers because of their trade union activities. Reported anti-trade union repression represents the tip of the iceberg as the vast majority of suffering goes unreported for fear of reprisals, say the report.

Colombia remains the most perilous place in the world to be in a trade union, with 78 killings reported in 2006.

The ITUC report also identifies worrying developments in Europe. Less than one in ten European companies fully respect the right of unions to organise and engage in bargaining. Many governments in Eastern Europe, including Russia, Georgia and Belarus have recently enacted labour legislation to restrict trade union rights.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: “These figures should shock. Trade unionists around the world continue to make the ultimate sacrifice to defend workers’ rights. Recent developments in the Philippines are extremely worrying. British companies have long enjoyed strong trade links there. UK companies must be ready to ask questions about whether they have been complicit in the denial of basic human rights or profited from attacks on trade unionists.

‘The widespread repression of trade unionists in Colombia is well known and yet still no action is being taken. The Colombian Government continues to tolerate the mass murder of trade unionists by paramilitary organisations and the British Government must stop funding such a corrupt and repressive regime.”

Amnesty International UK’s Trade Union Campaigns Manager, Shane Enright said:

“This annual survey reveals that trade unionists can pay a high price for representing their fellow workers and their communities. Whether in Iran, Colombia, the Philippines or elsewhere, Amnesty stands shoulder to shoulder with the international trade union movement in demanding respect for universal human rights, including the right to join and form trade unions.”