Building and Wood Worker's International (BWI) is calling on its affiliates around the world to put international pressure on governments that violate workers' rights. Affiliates around the world participated in the June 1, 2023 Global Day of Action both online and offline.
BWI activists are protesting around the world to stop the systematic persecution of union leaders and to express solidarity with courageous trade unionists, especially women, who risk their freedom and lives in the struggle to defend labor rights and democracy.
BWI draws global attention to the situation of trade unionists oppressed by states and raises the slogan: “Union organising, not a crime!”
The organization plans to address the International Labor Conference (ILC) on June 5, as well as other international organizations and platforms, calling for a strong defense of the rights and freedoms of trade unionists and workers, including freedom of association, the right to organize, to bargain collectively and to organize.
Around the world, in countries such as Belarus, Peru, South Korea, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Myanmar, trade unionists and workers have been arrested, imprisoned, tried with false evidence, and killed. With the exception of a few notable cases, those responsible for these gross violations of labor laws often go unpunished. This is unacceptable and needs to stop immediately.
The international community, including the United Nations (UN), the International Labor Organization (ILO) and all related bodies, must take active measures to pressure governments to recognize and protect international labor law. Particular attention must be paid to the protection of freedom of association and the right to organize enshrined in ILO Convention 87, one of the eight fundamental conventions that protect labor rights.
One of the important issues to be discussed at the International Labour Conference is a vote on a resolution concerning the application of Article 33 of the ILO Constitution to the Republic of Belarus. The resolution will be decided this week or next.
The Building and Wood Worker's International (BWI) represents a global trade union federation of democratic and free trade unions in the building, building materials, lumber, forestry and allied industries. It unites more than 12 million workers in 135 countries.
Source: BWI
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