Defending workers’ rights in a time of political turmoil

Speaking at the opening of IndustriALL's Asia Pacific Executive Committee Meeting in Jakarta on 22 September, IndustriALL Global Union vice president Akihiro Kaneko highlighted the widespread violations of human rights and the erosion of democratic principles across the region.

Kaneko pointed to the ongoing military dictatorship in Myanmar, attacks on workers and democracy in Bangladesh, the Philippines and Korea, and the recent electoral gains of right-wing forces in Japan.

"When right-wing populists gain momentum, it is a serious concern for workers and unions going forward. As trade unions we must play an important role to protect social stability and workers' livelihood. We must continue to build union power and organise workers across borders, tackling emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, human rights violations in global supply chains, climate change and just transition,"

said Kaneko.

In recent months, unions in the region have mobilized on an unprecedented scale. In India, 250 million workers participated in a general strike against regressive labour laws and job contractualisation. In Bangladesh, IndustriALL and global union federations rallied around the ILO roadmap to advance workers' rights.

Korean unions mounted continuous protests against anti-union policies, resulting in the amendment of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Adjustment Act (TULRAA). The reform enables subcontracted workers to bargain collectively with principal employers and restricts employers' ability to claim damages arising from strikes.

Occupational safety and health remain urgent concerns. In the first half of 2025, around 100 workers were killed in coalmine accidents in Pakistan. IndustriALL and the Australian Mining and Energy Union (MEU) are supporting demands for safer mines and campaigning for Pakistan to ratify ILO Convention 176.

Tripartite roundtable meetings have been held in South Asia following the entry into force of the Hong Kong Convention in June 2025. While some shipyards in Bangladesh have made technical upgrades, many still only comply on paper. In Pakistan, shipbreaking continues to operate outside the scope of the Convention, leaving workers vulnerable. South East Asian unions have also developed a 2025-2026 roadmap for health and safety, focusing on heat stress, campaigning for the ratification of ILO Convention 170 on chemical substances, and mapping occupational safety and health committees.

Participants at the Jakarta meeting also discussed the transformative agenda for the upcoming IndustriALL Congress in Sydney. Targets for women's participation are set to be met, while a resolution to establish a global youth committee - and optional regional youth committees - will be debated.

With six weeks to go before the 4th Congress, the regional executive committee pledged support for Australian unions to ensure a successful event. Key themes will include global inequality, precarious work, occupational safety and health, global labour relations, human rights due diligence, accountability of capital, just transition, and sustainable industrial policy.

IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie said:

"Our Congress in Sydney in just over a month is a defining moment for IndustriALL, let's work hard together with Australian affiliates to make it a success. Please join me to push it over the lines; we should come out of Congress united, with a clear roadmap and fighting together for a just future."