Trade unions 'face global persecution'

South Africa was a rare bright spot, the report said

Trade union members around the world continue to be harassed, sacked or even murdered, according to a new report by an international labour group.

Although some countries had done more to protect workers' rights, the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions concluded that "anti-union repression is still on the rise worldwide".

Unionists under attack

Sacked: 10,000

Arrested: 4,000

Injured: 1,000

Killed: 200+

Source: ICFTU

The organisation's annual survey of violations of trade union rights said there were 223 cases of murdered or "disappeared" trade unionists in 2001, 201 of them in Colombia.

The report said at least 80% of the Colombian cases were a direct result of the victim's union activities and noted that trade union membership was down to almost nothing.

Abuses catalogued

The Brussels-based organisation said that workers had been hit by a downturn in the global economy, "but where they have expressed their discontent governments have been quick to respond with repression".

The 233-page annual report for 2002 catalogues abuse of union members in many different countries.

Korean strikers were attacked by riot police, the report said

It blamed the impunity enjoyed by those carrying out the murders for the fact that Colombia was the most dangerous country in the world for trade union activity.

Among Asian countries, China was attacked for its repressive measures against trade unions.

"In China, any attempt to create a free trade union can be rewarded with huge prison sentences and even life imprisonment, interspersed with unbearable conditions of detention," the report said.

The report gave detailed breakdowns of advances and setbacks for union members:

Africa

In Malawi, unionists appeared to be singled out for the sack, with the state apparently unable to intervene.

In Senegal, a constitutional amendment that strikes "should not jeopardise companies" was seen as an unwelcome development.

In Zimbabwe, striking trade unionists were shot at. Three steelworkers were killed.

But in Kenya, the teachers' union was revived and the South African Government was prepared to talk to unions.

Americas

In Guatemala, trade unions were not recognised on banana plantations and members were systematically harassed.

In America, firms support anti-union propaganda, the group says

In Costa Rica, workers were dismissed if they tried to form a union.

In the US, it was estimated that 80% of employers used consultants in anti-union campaigning.

In Canada, new laws in British Columbia made it almost impossible for nurses and education workers to strike.

Asia-Pacific

In Bangladesh, trade union leader Iqbal Majumder was assassinated.

In South Korea, riot police using helicopters and bulldozers attacked strikers.

In Hong Kong, union leaders were transferred, dismissed or forced to resign.

In Thailand, international pressure helped resolve one dispute and union members were reinstated.

Europe

In Romania, increasing numbers of private-sector, often foreign, businesses were trying to stop any union activity.

Public-sector workers face restrictions across Europe, according to the report

In the Czech Republic, workers had been fired for joining unions and bribes offered to dissolve the groups.

In Belarus, it was almost impossible for trade unions to function.

In Germany, many civil servants were banned from going on strike.

Middle East

In Bahrain, democratic moves were being made which could include trade union organisation.

In Iran, there may be a move towards more tolerance of union rights in practice, though protesters were still arrested and injured.

In Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, all trade unions remained banned.

In Iraq and Syria there were single trade unions under the command of the ruling party.