Union deaths on the rise

Trade unions 'face global persecution'

An International Confederation of Free Trade Unions report points to ongoing murders and harassment of union members worldwide.

Union bashing is on the rise - and often the bashing is for real, with more than 1,000 unionists killed or injured in the past year.

While some countries have moved to protect workers' rights, the ICFTU report concludes that "anti-union repression is still on the rise".

Unionists under attack

Sacked: 10,000

Arrested: 4,000

Injured: 1,000

Killed: 200+

Source: ICFTU

Most homocides are in Colombia which accounts for 201 of the 223 cases of unionists reported murdered or 'disappeared.' This makes Colombia the most dangerous country in the world for trade union activity. The 233-page annual report for 2002 also catalogues abuse of union members in Korea, Kenya, China, Malawi, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and the so-called bastion of the free world, the USA. On a more positive note the ICFTU reports how various international campaigns have helped free imprisoned trade unionists in 2001, as well as the resolving of conflicts, the reinstatement of sacked trade unionists or the recognition of trade unions. The report welcomes all such concrete examples demonstrating that international trade union solidarity can make a difference. The ICFTU represents 157 million workers in 225 affiliated organisations in 148 countries and territories. ICFTU is also a member of Global Unions: http://www.global-unions.org The full report can be downloaded from the ICFTU website