Union Deaths Rise Around World, as Recession Heightens Attacks on Labor Rights

[marmar]

from In These Times:



Union Deaths Rise Around World, as Recession Heightens Attacks on Labor Rights

Friday
June 11
3:01 pm

By Akito Yoshikane


The number of trade unionists who were killed rose significantly in 2009, a year when the global downturn spurred governments and companies to use the turmoil to undermine workers' rights in countries around the woirld—including the United States, a new report says.

An annual survey released Wednesday by the International Confederation of Trade Unions (ITUC) found a 30 percent increase in union deaths as the economic and financials crises led to millions of job losses and heightened labor violations.

More than 101 union members and activists died last year against the 76 in the previous year. Colombia accounted for 60 percent of the total union deaths worldwide with 48 killed, followed by Guatemala (16) and Honduras (12). Mexico and Bangladesh each had six deaths in a survey that documented people defending workers' rights across 140 countries.

The findings, released just ahead of an annual conference by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva, said global leaders, companies and public officials have all clamped down on labor unions and activists.

The United States is no exception, as problems in legislation and in the workplace continue to thrwart organizing efforts. While the law ostensibly guarantees labor unions, they fall short of protecting labor rights through restrictive legal barriers or non-enforcement of regulations. .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.inthesetimes.com/working/entry/6095/union_deaths_rise_around_world_as_recession_heightens_attacks_on_labor_righ/

[Odin2005]

1. The Elites are getting desperate.