International News

Wikileaks today released secret draft text from the Trades in Services Agreement negotiations that confirms the concerns first raised by the global trade union Public Services International in the recent ground-breaking report 'TISA versus Public Services'. Click here to read this article on the PSI website Wikileaks today released secret…

Unions and business unite to applaud a historic moment as a new legally binding protocol on forced labour is overwhelmingly voted for at the United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva. Kate Carnell, ACCI CEO, said that she was pleased there was such a high level of support for…

In Australia, we know the power of organised labour in raising living standards. And, after the recent federal budget, we are also acutely aware of the need to defend the building blocks of a decent society. Read this on the UAA-APHEDA website Workers in Pacific Island countries and their trade…

In a poll taken at the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Congress in Berlin, Germany, 90% of the voters overwhelmingly rejected the Trans Pacific Partnership free trade deal, supporting the statement that “the TPP should not go ahead and must be scrapped.” Only 10% of the voters agreed that “The…

As Trade Ministers from 12 Pacific Rim countries meet in Singapore, fair trade, public health, environment, church, unions (including the ASU) and other community groups have endorsed a letter to Trade Minister Andrew Robb. The letter calls on the Minister to reject harmful proposals in the TPP, which should not…

  The Australian Services Union's global affiliate Public Services International (PSI) has today released a new report that reveals secret trade negotiations may threaten public services across the globe, including in Australia. The ASU, as the principal union in local government and utilities (water & energy) is alarmed at findings…

Australian unions today said that trade deals can't be negotiated at the expense of Australian workers and local jobs following reports that Prime Minister Tony Abbott is facing demands from China that it be allowed to bring in workers for projects funded by Chinese investors. ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver said…

A new report from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) exposes how far Qatar will go to deny workers their rights ahead of a critical FIFA Executive Committee meeting on Thursday 20th March in Zurich. Click here to read this article on the ITUC website The Executive Committee will consider…

As G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bankers prepare to meet in Sydney, the "Labour 20" warned against complacency by policy makers that risks leading to higher not lower unemployment. Sharan Burrow, General Secretary of the ITUC said that the time has come for Finance Ministers to recognise that their policies…

Reply to the Trade Minister's claims that "safeguards" in trade agreements prevent investors from suing governments over health and environmental legislation. This article was first published on the AFTINET website on 11 February 2014 - click to read the item there The Abbott Government policy is to negotiate the inclusion…