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.
December 11, 2020
The ACTU deplores the flagrant violation by the Moroccan army of the ceasefire in Western Sahara by moving its army into the Guerguerat area and Buffer Strip which is monitored by the United Nations’ mission in Western Sahara, MINURSO.
The Australian trade union movement expresses our solidarity with the people of Western Sahara and the Saharawi Trade Union UGTSARIO, and reaffirms our support for the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination and independence in accordance with UN resolutions and relevant UN decolonisation doctrines.
November 30, 2020
On 30 November Australian unions joined the Global Day of Action in solidarity with unions…
November 26, 2020
The ACTU stands in solidarity with the 250 million Indian workers on strike protesting anti-worker labour laws.
October 8, 2020
The Indonesian Government passed the Omnibus Law on Job Creation on 5 October, despite the strong opposition of Indonesian workers and communities. The Omnibus Law puts the interests of foreign investors ahead of workers, and significantly undermines labour rights, human rights, and environmental protections.
September 18, 2020
The ACTU stands in solidarity with the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), and condemns the labelling of the ZCTU as a terrorist organisation by the government.
September 8, 2020
In June 2020, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights released a comprehensive and alarming report on the human rights situation in the Philippines. The ACTU urges the Australian Government to sponsor a resolution at the upcoming 45th session of the UN Human Rights Council to follow up on the progress of the recommendations in the UN High Commissioner’s report, and call on the Philippines Government to implement the recommendations as a matter of urgency.
September 1, 2020
The global trade union movement stands with all workers, and especially those on the front lines for treating and containing COVID-19 and those whose work ensures the provision of essential goods and services.
Government action to increase testing and fund vaccine and treatment research and production is urgently needed. Multilateral coordination in sharing research findings and the rapid production and dissemination of freely available vaccines and treatments is vital to address both the current health and socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and to build resilience for all.
September 1, 2020
In Australia and around the Commonwealth, women have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ahead of the Commonwealth Women’s Ministerial meeting, the ACTU wrote to Minister for Women Marise Payne outlining the priorities for the Commonwealth Trade Union Group’s women workers.
August 21, 2020
The ACTU stands in solidarity with workers in Belarus taking strike action and calling for a stop to the violence, persecution and arrests; for the release of all imprisoned union leaders, activists and civil society representatives; and to rerun the elections with an independent commission and international observers. We call on the Australian Government to pressure the government of Belarus to meet the demands of the independent trade unions.
August 13, 2020
The ACTU has written to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, and Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne, regarding the arrest of the leader of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU), Rong Chhun.
