International Campaigns & Issues 2009



As the peak union body for Australia, the ACTU participates in a range of international forums on behalf of unions and Australian workers, including the International Labour Organisation and the International Trade Union Confederation.



Australian unions are also active players in the global union movement, joining international campaigns and solidarity actions on a regular basis.



In this section, you will find statements by the ACTU on international issues, details of current international campaigns, and news from around the world.


Recent International Campaigns & Issues

Climate Change – Leaders Must “Go the Extra Distance”

December 18, 2009

With the Copenhagen Climate Summit drawing to a close, the international trade union movement has urged governments to “go the extra distance” to settle their differences and work together.

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Letter calling for greater protection of migrant worker rights and ratification of convention

December 15, 2009

Amnesty International and the ACTU believe that an important step would be the ratification of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Families.

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Launch of 20th anniversary Global Campaign for Migrants Rights Convention

December 15, 2009

A global campaign to challenge countries to end abuse of migrants by protecting their human rights will be launched around the world on 18 December.

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Protest letter in support of Aminatou Haidar

December 11, 2009

I call on UN Human Rights High Commissioner to do all in her power to bring pressure on Morocco to allow Aminatou Haidar to travel home to be with her children in El Aaiun, Western Sahara, in accordance with Article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

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Global unions call for green growth with social justice

December 11, 2009

Leaders of world trade unions are calling on political leaders gathered in Copenhagen to invest in jobs and develop a green economic policy to tackle climate change.

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ITUC Statement on Human Rights Day

December 10, 2009

The ITUC celebrates International Human Rights Day and pays tribute to all human rights defenders, including the many brave trade unionists struggling to defend workers’ rights.

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ITUC Statement on World AIDS Day

December 1, 2009

The massive human suffering caused by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and the failure to date to check and reverse its growth, is due in large part to the lack of political will of governments.

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Protest letter to Tetley

November 27, 2009

Australian workers and consumers will be highly dubious of a company which markets its product under an “ethical” standard, but then denies the application of that standard to other parts of the company.

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Lovemore Matombo’s gratitude for support during arrest ordeal

November 20, 2009

On behalf of my colleagues, Michael Kandukutu, Percy Mcijo, Dumisani Ncube and Nawu Ndlovu, we would like to thank you all for the support and protest letters sent to our government during our incarceration.

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Zimbabwe: Trade Unionists Freed, Charges Thrown Out

November 12, 2009

Lovemore Matombo, president of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, and four other unionists, Michael Kandukutu, Percy Mncijo, Dumisani Ncube and Nhawu Ndlovu, have been released on the order of a Zimbabwean Magistrate.

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The ACTU Network

Australian Unions

Whether you want to join a union, take action in campaigns, or make the most of the benefits of being a union member, Australian Unions is the place to go for information and resources.
Visit Australian Unions

Mind Your Head

We’re taking action to protect workplace mental health.
Visit Mind Your Head

Worksite

Your rights at work for students and for people entering the workforce for the first time.
Visit Worksite

OHS

Information and resources for health and safety representatives and workers about how to speak up at work for health and safety.
Visit OHS

Union Aid Abroad

Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA is the overseas aid and development agency of the ACTU. Our work aims to build self-reliance through support to educational and training projects for workers and their organisations in the developing world.
Visit Union Aid Abroad

ACTU National Union Directory

Find who you are looking for from the who’s who of the union movement.
Visit the ACTU National Union Dictionary
Australian Council of Trade Unions

Representing Australian workers and their families.