Trade unions

Trade unionists are at the forefront of the struggle for human rights. Many have lost their lives or risked their liberty in their attempts to claim basic human rights. These include freedom of association, the right to organise and engage in collective bargaining and freedom of speech.

Trade unionists are ordinary men and women. They have deeply held convictions, political beliefs and commitment to trade union ideals. These can make them prime targets of government repression. They have to deal with their organisations being banned, harassment, political killings and 'disappearances', arbitrary detention, torture, exile and murder.

 

USA: Warning on US States' plans to severely restrict workers' rights Amnesty has urged several US states to abandon planned legislation that would drastically restrict workers' rights. States including Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma and Tennessee have proposed bills severely limiting the collective bargaining rights of trade union members. A similar bill was passed in Wisconsin on Friday. Read more

Sign up for TU e-newsletter Our Trade Unions e-newsletter covers the most up to date and priority actions relating to trade unions. To register create a MyAmnesty profile and choose the trade union option.

Affiliate your Union Trade unions have made a great contribution to the defence of human rights through Amnesty's Trade Union Network. We invite you to help us have an even bigger impact by affiliating your union.

Take Action Burma: Act now to free labour rights defender Su Su Nway Though Aung San Suu Kyi is now free, there are still more than 2,000 political prisoners in Burma. Amongst them is Su Su Nway who has denounced forced labour in her community and campaigned for democracy. Sign our petition