An annual survey of trade union rights violations published on June 7 by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions found that 115 trade unionists were murdered in 2005 for defending workers’ rights, more than 1600 were violently assaulted, some 9000 were arrested and almost 10,000 sacked for their involvement in trade unions. Colombia topped the list for the most murders, death threats and cases of intimidation. Seventy unionists were killed in Colombia last year. Australia gets a special mention in the report for the government’s new laws depriving workers of the most fundamental protections. According to ICFTU general secretary Guy Ryder, “This year’s report reveals deeply disturbing trends, especially for women, migrant workers and those who work in the public sector”. View the report at <http://www.icftu.org>.

From Green Left Weekly, June 14, 2006.
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