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 1, 2022
President of the Cambodian hospitality union (LRSU) representing workers at the NagaWorld Casino Hotel was arrested in Phnom Penh airport and jailed on the 26th of November while returning from International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) World Congress in Melbourne.
September 1, 2022
The ACTU has written to President Zelenskyy calling on his Government to not proceed with anti-worker laws, and replace them with measures that would increase the security of workers and enable them and their families to survive the devastation of war and build a stronger Ukraine.
April 29, 2022
More than 14 Belarusian trade union leaders and representatives were arrested on 19 April – the ACTU has joined unions around the world in calling for their immediate release and an end to the repression of trade unions in Belarus.
April 1, 2022
ACTU condemns the treatment of Saharawi human rights defender, Sultana Khaya
March 5, 2022
The ACTU stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine
February 25, 2022
The ACTU has expressed it’s solidarity with the teachers on strike in Iran, and has urged the UN Secretary General to step in and address the situation.
February 16, 2022
The ACTU has joined with an alliance of human rights and aid organisations to call on the Future Fund to divest from any companies who are in business partnership with the Myanmar military or military-owned businesses.
February 7, 2022
Australian unions call on the Cambodian Government to release the detained leaders of the Labour Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld (LRSU)
January 27, 2022
One year on from Myanmar’s military coup, the ACTU has joined with Human Rights Watch, Australian Council for International Development, the Australian Centre for International Justice, the Refugee Council of Australia, and Publish What You Pay to call on the Morrison Government to impose sanctions on Myanmar’s military leaders and their business interests.
