May 1st, International Workers’ Day, commemorates the historic struggle of working people throughout the world, and is recognized in most countries. The United States of America and Canada are among the exceptions. This despite the fact that the holiday began in the 1880s in the USA, linked to the battle for the eight-hour day, and the Chicago anarchists. Continue reading ‘History of May 1st, International workers’ day’
Archive for April, 2008
History of May 1st, International workers’ day
Published April 30, 2008 america , global , governments , workers 0 CommentsTags: Chicago anarchists, eight-hour day, Haymarket, International workers day, May 1st
US: Recruiting farm workers from Mexico
Published April 30, 2008 america , governments , workers 0 CommentsTags: Mexican laborers, migrant workers, United Farm Workers, US immigration law
By Garance Burke
Weary of waiting for Congress to overhaul the nation’s immigration laws, the United Farm Workers hopes to recruit Mexican laborers to pick crops on U.S. farms. The union’s efforts to import temporary workers under an existing government program follows similar moves by lawmakers in Arizona and Colorado, who are also trying to create new pathways to bring in foreign field hands without approval from Washington. Continue reading ‘US: Recruiting farm workers from Mexico’
Bulgaria: Urgent need for workers
Published April 29, 2008 companies , europe , governments , workers 0 CommentsTags: chamber maids, chefs, dish washers, eastern europe, laundry workers, unskilled workers
By Petar Kostadinov
Bulgaria’s biggest Black Sea resort Slunchev Bryag (Sunny Beach) desperately needs unskilled workers, Elena Ivanova chairperson of the Union of hotel owners at the resort told Bulgarian Focus news agency on April 29. Continue reading ‘Bulgaria: Urgent need for workers’
World Day for Safety and Health at Work
Published April 28, 2008 campaigns , global , governments , workers 1 CommentTags: deaths at work, Safety and health, work disease, work-related accidents and ill health, working risk
The world of work is to mark the World Day for Safety and Health at Work this year on 28 April, amid a new call by the International Labour Office (ILO) for managing risks in the work environment to reduce both the human and the economic burdens of work-related accidents and ill health. (From the ILO) Continue reading ‘World Day for Safety and Health at Work’
1.5m workers at risk from carcinogens
Published April 27, 2008 asia , campaigns , global , governments , workers 0 CommentsTags: cancer-causing substances, cancer-creating products, carcinogens
MORE than 1.5 million workers may be exposed to cancer-causing substances on the job without even knowing it, the ACTU claims. Speaking on International Workers Memorial Day, when unions remember workers who have lost their lives at work, ACTU president Sharan Burrow launched a three-year campaign to eliminate cancer-causing substances from the workplace. Continue reading ‘1.5m workers at risk from carcinogens’
South Africa: Migrant workers need to be protected
Published April 23, 2008 africa , governments , workers 0 CommentsTags: exploitation, farm workers, Migrant workers south africa, refugees, undocumented workers, xenophobia
A recent Labour Court judgment ruled that undocumented migrants and refugees had the same labour rights as South African citizens if they were in a working relationship. While a definitive and positive step in recognising the rights of migrant workers, the ruling only reiterates laws that were already in place to protect workers’ rights. Continue reading ‘South Africa: Migrant workers need to be protected’
US: The erosion of employer-provided health care
Published April 22, 2008 america , governments , workers 1 CommentTags: employer-provided health care, employer-provided health insurance, job loss, unemployment, us election, working-class americans
by Jared Bernstein and Heidi Shierholz
It is widely recognized that the means through which most working-age Americans receive health care coverage-the employer-based system-is undergoing fundamental change. Though a majority of workers and their families are still covered through employers, a variety of factors, most prominently increased costs, have led to a steady slide in coverage.
Continue reading ‘US: The erosion of employer-provided health care’
ILO: Green jobs conference
Published April 21, 2008 asia , campaigns , global , governments 0 CommentsTags: decent work, green jobs conference, International Labour Organization, sustainable development, the environment
The impact of environmental change on jobs, sustainable economic growth and poverty was discussed at an International Labour Organization (ILO) research conference held in Niigata, Japan from 21 to 22 April.The conference, “Green Jobs for Asia and the Pacific” is the product of the Green Jobs Initiative launched at the ILO’s November 2007 Governing Body session, in partnership with, among others, the United Nations Environment Programme and the International Trade Union Confederation. Continue reading ‘ILO: Green jobs conference’
US: income inequality is growing
Published April 16, 2008 america , governments , reports 0 CommentsTags: economic downturn, income inequality, richest and poorest families
The gap between the richest and poorest families, and between the richest and middle-income families, grew significantly in most states over the past two decades, according to a new study by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and the Economic Policy Institute. Continue reading ‘US: income inequality is growing’
Canada: how to keep older workers
Published April 16, 2008 america , governments , workers 0 CommentsTags: benefits, canada, flexibility, older workers, unemployment
By Julie Mollins
Shorter work weeks, flexible hours and extended healthcare benefits are important for recruiting and keeping older workers, a new survey showed. A poll of Canadians age 55 and older conducted by Ipsos Reid identified several factors that companies need to keep in mind to attract and stop older workers from leaving. Continue reading ‘Canada: how to keep older workers’
