International solidarity

Support and solidarity for workers and trade unionists around the world

LGBT Gains and Inequalities

Submitted by Peter on 3 July, 2011 - 14:10

At this years RMT Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender conference, Executive member for London Transport Region Janine Booth brought to members attentions the realities of LGBT rights internationally and the equalities that British LGBT workers and people still lack.

Internationally full legal equality for homosexuals only exists in 8 countries in the world. That is that they have equal rights including an equal marriage something that still eludes us in the UK. In 80 countries homosexuality is still illegal. Of these seven countries still have the death penalty. Only recently Uganda was attempting to criminalize all homosexual acts - punishment being a death sentence.

Urgent appeal: Jailed woman trade union leader in Bangladesh

Submitted by Janine on 21 January, 2011 - 16:27

From LabourStart ...

It has now been more than five weeks since the illegal arrest of Moshrefa Mishu, President of the Garment Workers Unity Forum in Bangladesh (pictured).

There was no warrant for her arrest at the time that heavily-armed plainclothes officers took her off to jail, where she remains - in poor health and badly treated.

Her real crime was leading a protest campaign to demand the implementation of the legal minimum wage.

Solidarity with Dismissed Workers at Istanbul Airport

Submitted by Admin on 1 January, 2011 - 12:12

From the International Transport Workers' Federation

Dear friends

Dismissal workers by the Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport Investment Development and Operation Inc (ISG), Turkey

The ITF has been informed that ISG has dismissed 160 workers without following all the procedures required by Turkish law. Hava-Is has also pointed out that the dismissals occurred just a few days after the ruling by the Court of Appeal confirming the Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s decision that ISG should be treated under the ‘air transport’ branch of activity for the purposes of the trade union establishment procedure. The timing of the dismissals suggests that they may have been a reaction to the court ruling, which is favourable to Hava-Is. Therefore appears to be no economic reason to justify the dismissals of the 160 workers last week.

Murder of striking rail worker in Argentina

Submitted by Admin on 28 October, 2010 - 13:18

The Regional Council agreed to send a letter of support to Argentinian trade unionists protesting against this murder.

On October 20 a young railway worker, Mariano Ferreyra, who was only 23 years old, was killed during a blockade as a part of a campaign for the reinstatement of sacked workers of one of the railway lines in Buenos Aires. Mariano was a sacked railway worker of the Roca Line, a university student and also a political activist of a left wing party in Argentina.

Message of support to French rail strikers

Submitted by Janine on 20 October, 2010 - 13:27

I have sent the following message of support to French rail strikers. You can read about their action here.

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I am writing on behalf of the London Transport Region of the National Union of Rail Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) here in the UK. I write to tell you of our strong support for the action you are taking in defence of pensions.