Global Labor Justice

Development finance institutions claim two core missions: to promote development and to alleviate poverty. These institutions offer preferential loan terms to clients with the understanding that they will adhere to national law, international labor standards, and development bank-specific labor safeguards. However, in hotels around the world that are financed by the private lending arm of the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), as well as bilateral, regional, and national development banks, workers consistently face poverty wages, unsafe and unhealthy working conditions, discrimination, gender-based violence, and retaliation for union organizing. For the past five years, the IUF and GLJ have collaborated on hotel development finance and worked with hotel workers to access their rights, including freedom of association, collective bargaining, occupational health and safety, and freedom from gender-based violence and harassment. As part of our efforts to hold development finance accountable to workers’ rights, I’m proud to announce that Global Labor Justice, along with the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers' Associations (IUF) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) – have launched a new website, Accountable Development Finance: Hospitality. This site is a major new resource for all those interested in sectoral approaches to holding development banks accountable. The centerpiece of the website is an interactive map that tracks all hospitality investments by all development finance institutions that have invested in the sector. The site also includes a proposed policy solution – the Early Engagement Labor Framework Agreement – which you can read about in detail on the site. GLJ will continue to work with its partners to fight for workers’ rights in the hospitality sector and ensure that development banks fulfill their core mission and make development impact a reality for workers.

It’s time for Nike to acknowledge the strong women workers who make their products. Watch our NEW CAMPAIGN VIDEO featuring union members Pooja from Stand Up Movement, Sri Lanka, Nde and Dedhe, from SPN, Indonesia, and Sakinah from Garteks, Indonesia. These are just four of the thousands of women workers across South and Southeast Asia who have decided to organize and fight for equality and living wages in Nike’s supply chain, joining with Global Labor Justice and Asia Floor Wage Alliance (AFWA) in the Fight the Heist Campaign.

The sheer devastation of Hurricane Helene is difficult to comprehend. Non-union, mostly immigrant workers at a plastic factory in Tennessee were reportedly threatened with termination if they evacuated. Now, six of those workers have tragically died, and more are missing. Three days later, Typhoon Krathon is now bearing down on Kaohsiung, Taiwan, where thousands of migrant fishers face regular labor abuse and must stay safe amidst the disaster. Our thoughts are with the thousands of migrant fishers in Taiwan who lack the labor protections they need to ensure their safety. Climate change is a grave threat, no matter where you are. When natural disasters strike, workers often pay the ultimate price. Migrant workers, particularly those without union protection, bear the brunt of these impacts. As climate change intensifies and devastates communities worldwide, it is crucial that we recognize the interconnectedness of labor rights, immigrant rights, and climate justice.

Check out the new Growing Justice website, which details Honduran melon workers’ fight for good jobs and a union on Fyffes farms. As we head into the 2024/2025 growing season, there is an urgent need for Fyffes to respect workers’ fundamental rights.   GLJ, along with Sindicato de Trabajadores/as Agrícolas (STAS), the workers' union, and members of IUF-affiliated unions from across the globe, are uniting to send a simple message to Fyffes and Sumitomo: we will fight one day longer than whatever it takes to win justice on Fyffes’ farms.

When workers have a seat at the table, they can transform their workplaces and supply chains.

Join us today at 9:00 a.m. ET for the release of the new report, The Dindigul Agreement. Is it working? Year Two Progress Report by Pauline Jerrentrup and Sarosh Kuruvilla, Global Labor Institute at Cornell University ILR School. We imagined a workplace where women workers felt safe to speak up - and the Dindigul Agreement made it a reality. The Dindigul Agreement is a worker-led, union-backed initiative that rebalances power in the supply chain and supports women workers to prevent gender-based violence and harassment. Join us for the Zoom session today to see the full picture: https://lnkd.in/gmKNSugB Asia Floor Wage Alliance (AFWA) Tamil Nadu Textile and Common Labour Union (TTCU)

On September 5th, at 9 AM ET, join us for the release of the new report, The Dindigul Agreement. Is it working? Year Two Progress Report by Pauline Jerrentrup and Sarosh Kuruvilla, Global Labor Institute at Cornell University ILR School. Join us as we discuss this report and reveal the concrete impact of the Dindigul Agreement - hear from Prof. Sarosh Kuruvilla and members of the (OC) Oversight Committee on how this breakthrough agreement works to prevent GBVH in a major garment supply chain. Register for our Zoom session here: https://lnkd.in/gmKNSugB Asia Floor Wage Alliance (AFWA) Tamil Nadu Textile and Common Labour Union (TTCU)

Workers power the nation and the world. Today, we honor workers uniting with their unions to transform the supply chains that connect us all.

We imagined a workplace where women workers felt safe to speak up-and the Dindigul Agreement made it a reality. The Dindigul Agreement is a worker-led, union-backed initiative that rebalances power in the supply chain and supports women workers in monitoring, eliminating, and preventing gender-based violence and harassment in their workplace. The groundbreaking agreement is a collaboration between a union, brands, and a garment supplier, enabling women workers to leverage their collective voice for change. On September 5th, we release the two-year progress report, showcasing the power of this approach. Join us in celebrating the strength of women workers in the garment industry and the impact of their collective voice. Register for our Zoom session here -   https://lnkd.in/gmKNSugB Asia Floor Wage Alliance (AFWA) Tamil Nadu Textile and Common Labour Union (TTCU)  

Today, the Coalition on Labor Justice for Migrants in the Gulf called on Qatar to recognize the right to freedom of association, equal pay for equal work, and stronger labor inspections, among others, at the 47th UPR Info pre-session for The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Equidem CEO Mustafa Qadri represented the Coalition on Labor Justice for Migrants in the Gulf and presented demands heard directly from workers and their organizations: “Since the last review, our coalition has spoken to over 200 migrant workers living and working in Qatar, and found evidence that migrant workers continue to experience significant rights violations, indicating that protections remain too weak.” Our coalition's latest research reveals that since the 2019 UPR, Qatar has made little progress in implementing the recommended worker protection laws. Through our engagement with migrant workers, we have uncovered the ongoing violations they face, including discrimination, forced labor, and health risks. Despite these challenges, we are committed to advocating for justice and fair treatment for all workers and will continue our efforts to ensure that they are provided with the protection and support they deserve. Anti-Slavery International, Equidem, Global Labor Justice and Solidarity Center