Worker Rights Are Human Rights

Bahrain

On Dec. 10, buildings in the capital city of Manama were draped in white sheets and a human chain was formed on the Shaikh Isa Bridge as part of a national campaign against poverty.

Bosnia

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, workers marked 10 years of peace by focusing the country's attention on workers' rights as human rights. Unions in the Upper Drina region are working together to build new unions at private-sector employers and will publicly launch a joint organizing program aimed at reaching out to workers of all nationalities within the region.

Cambodia

In what may be largest gathering of Cambodians in one location in many years, members of eight labor federations, 18 nongovernment organizations, four student and youth associations and one law firm celebrated International Human Rights Day Dec. 10 with a mass rally to call for workers’ rights as human rights.

Canada

The Canadian Labour Congress joined Dec. 10 with a broad coalition of organizations to call for trade justice and worker rights protections in the global trade system.

Hong Kong

AFL-CIO President John Sweeney and other labor leaders joined the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions Dec. 10 at a rally where thousands of marchers will be demanding global justice and the protection of workers’ rights as human rights.

Indonesia

On Dec. 9, the Indonesian Prosperity Trade Union Confederation (KSBSI) launched its book Violations of Freedom of Association in Indonesia. There will be a discussion with members of the International Labor Organization and the National Human Rights Commission.

Nigeria

The labor federation NACTU held public events Dec . 1, World AIDS Day, to educate the public on the need to protect the rights of workers and their families with HIV/AIDS.

South Africa

The labor federation National Council of Trade Unions held public events Dec. 1, World AIDS Day, to educate the public on the need to protect the rights of workers and their families with HIV/AIDS.

Thailand

On Dec. 10, the Thai Labour Solidarity Committee joined with the National Human Rights Commission for a march from the Parliament building to demand workers’ rights as human rights. The next day, the Labour Solidarity Committee, the State Enterprise Employees' Relations Confederation (SERC) and Thai Labour Campaign conducted a seminar on “The Rights of Workers, Unfortunate Poors and Social Welfare” at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok. The monument symbolizes the end of the monarchy in 1932 and the beginning of democracy in that country.