International Campaigns & Issues 2020
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
Global Social Protection Fund needed to provide basic services and support to all working people
June 4, 2020
With 305 million full-time equivalent jobs lost worldwide due to the pandemic, Australia and other leading economies need to act now to protect the rights and livelihoods of working people around the world.
The ACTU has joined with civil society organisations and written to Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne calling on the Morrison Government to show international leadership during this crisis.
The creation of a Global Social Protection Fund to provide income support and other social services in all countries to help lift working people out of the pandemic.
US$35 billion would secure 5-year funding for the poorest 28 countries in the world to provide emergency relief for their people now, and an additional US$100 billion would address social protection coverage gaps in lower- to middle-income countries. Global spending on stimulus and other measures related to the pandemic is projected to be ore than US$10 trillion.
Solidarity with Indian union’s nationwide day of protest
May 20, 2020
A joint platform of India’s central trade unions has called a nationwide day of protest on Friday 22 May in opposition to the state and central government’s undermining of labour laws in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. ACTU President Michele O’Neil has written to the unions expressing the solidarity of the Australian trade union movement.
ACTU condemns the prosecution of Hong Kong union leader
May 14, 2020
ACTU President Michele O’Neil has written to the Hong Kong government condemning the prosecution of Lee Cheuk Yan, General Secretary of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU), for participating in the protest movement.
ACTU joins call for the World Trade Organisation to stop negotiations and focus on addressing COVID-19 crisis
April 20, 2020
The ACTU has joined 258 global and national organisations in calling on the World Trade…
International Solidarity Update March 2020
March 16, 2020
Welcome to the first edition of the ACTU’s revived international solidarity newsletter! To sign up…
The ACTU calls on the Ukrainian government to withdraw anti-worker laws
February 25, 2020
On 27 December, the Ukrainian government introduced new anti-worker labour laws to the Parliament – ACTU President Michele O’Neil has written to the Ukrainian government calling on them to withdraw the laws and consult with trade unions.
Australian unions urge PM Morrison to raise West Papuan rights violations with Indonesian President
February 10, 2020
The ACTU calls on Prime Minister Morrison to raise the human rights violations occurring in West Papua with Indonesian President Joko Widodo during his visit to Canberra today.
The ACTU Network
Australian Unions
Worksite
OHS
Union Aid Abroad
ACTU National Union Directory
