International Campaigns & Issues



As the peak union body for Australia, the ACTU participates in a range of international forums on behalf of unions and Australian workers, including the International Labour Organisation and the International Trade Union Confederation.



Australian unions are also active players in the global union movement, joining international campaigns and solidarity actions on a regular basis.



In this section, you will find statements by the ACTU on international issues, details of current international campaigns, and news from around the world.


Recent International Campaigns & Issues

G20 trade union leaders call for job-intensive recovery strategies

April 20, 2010

A delegation of trade union leaders from the G20 countries told G20 labour and employment ministers that the current fragile economic recovery will be a jobless recovery if governments do not put a stronger emphasis on decent employment creation.

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Global Solidarity Action Day with Turkish workers

February 24, 2010

We are calling for full democratic rights for all Turkish citizens, including freedom of association; a halt to all violent repression; the release of all imprisoned trade unionists; and respect for core labour standards and workers’ rights.

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Climate Change – Leaders Must “Go the Extra Distance”

December 18, 2009

With the Copenhagen Climate Summit drawing to a close, the international trade union movement has urged governments to “go the extra distance” to settle their differences and work together.

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Launch of 20th anniversary Global Campaign for Migrants Rights Convention

December 15, 2009

A global campaign to challenge countries to end abuse of migrants by protecting their human rights will be launched around the world on 18 December.

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Letter calling for greater protection of migrant worker rights and ratification of convention

December 15, 2009

Amnesty International and the ACTU believe that an important step would be the ratification of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Families.

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Global unions call for green growth with social justice

December 11, 2009

Leaders of world trade unions are calling on political leaders gathered in Copenhagen to invest in jobs and develop a green economic policy to tackle climate change.

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Protest letter in support of Aminatou Haidar

December 11, 2009

I call on UN Human Rights High Commissioner to do all in her power to bring pressure on Morocco to allow Aminatou Haidar to travel home to be with her children in El Aaiun, Western Sahara, in accordance with Article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

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ITUC Statement on Human Rights Day

December 10, 2009

The ITUC celebrates International Human Rights Day and pays tribute to all human rights defenders, including the many brave trade unionists struggling to defend workers’ rights.

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ITUC Statement on World AIDS Day

December 1, 2009

The massive human suffering caused by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and the failure to date to check and reverse its growth, is due in large part to the lack of political will of governments.

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Protest letter to Tetley

November 27, 2009

Australian workers and consumers will be highly dubious of a company which markets its product under an “ethical” standard, but then denies the application of that standard to other parts of the company.

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The ACTU Network

Australian Unions

Whether you want to join a union, take action in campaigns, or make the most of the benefits of being a union member, Australian Unions is the place to go for information and resources.
Visit Australian Unions

Mind Your Head

We’re taking action to protect workplace mental health.
Visit Mind Your Head

Worksite

Your rights at work for students and for people entering the workforce for the first time.
Visit Worksite

OHS

Information and resources for health and safety representatives and workers about how to speak up at work for health and safety.
Visit OHS

Union Aid Abroad

Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA is the overseas aid and development agency of the ACTU. Our work aims to build self-reliance through support to educational and training projects for workers and their organisations in the developing world.
Visit Union Aid Abroad

ACTU National Union Directory

Find who you are looking for from the who’s who of the union movement.
Visit the ACTU National Union Dictionary
Australian Council of Trade Unions

Representing Australian workers and their families.