Kenya: Domestic workers union recognised
9 June 2019: Despite being denied registration on multiple occasions by the registrar of unions on account that there were other federations representing domestic workers, the National Union of Domestic Workers through a court application finally won recognition. The court upheld their right to form a union and directed the registrar to register the National Union of Domestic Workers. However, the court advised the union to restrict it membership to only domestic workers employed in private households reasoning that domestic workers engaged by commercial establishments are covered by other unions.
Sudan: General strike for end to military rule
9 June 2019: Workers across Sudan went on general strike and engaged in a campaign of civil disobedience demanding that the military relinquish power to civilians. The military government deployed rapid security forces in many parts of the country including the capital Khartoum with barricades set up and internet and other communication lines cut.
Japan: Uber Eats workers unionise
13 June 2019: Demanding equal treatment as employees along with social security benefits and accident compensation, delivery workers working for Uber Eats have unionized. Uber Eats operates across 10 cities in Japan and is estimated to employ over 15,000 delivery workers. Declaring workers to be independent contractors, Uber Eats has refused to recognise the union. Uber Eats’ parent company Uber has been facing several charges of denying workers their rights by claiming them to be ‘independent contractors’ across USA and Europe.
Qatar: FIFA admits to labour violations in relation to the 2022 football world cup
12 June 2019: An undercover investigation by German broadcaster WDR found delayed wages to be recurrent theme for migrant workers employed in construction of facilities for the 2022 football world cup. Featuring interviews with migrant workers, the report highlights a range of additional abuses including expired visas, poor accommodation and hazardous working conditions. FIFA responded with a press release acknowledging violation of labour standards and particularly naming the company TAWASOL – a sub-contractor in the construction of the Al Bayt Stadium.
Brazil: Oil workers oppose austerity led pension reforms
14 June 2019: Workers of the state owned Petroleo Brasileiro SA conducted a 24 hour strike across 8 states and 9 refineries against pension reforms which seek to raise the retirement age and workers’ contributions. These reforms are part of the austerity package proposed to revive Brazil’s flagging economy. Workers have also protested the privatisation of PetroBras by way of selling company assets. In Sao Paolo, public transport workers also struck in support of oil workers.
