News

Around the world, there has been a closing of democratic spaces which has made it increasingly hard for trade unionists to stand up for human and labour rights without fear of reprisal.

This year UNI honoured affiliates from Korea, Colombia and Bangladesh with the Freedom from Fear Award in recognition of their courage in the face of repression and in support of their struggles for justice and freedom.

KOREA 

President Han Sang-gyun of the KCTU was honoured with a Freedom from Fear award in recognition of his spirit of defiance and leadership against a government which is being firmly rejected by the Korean people. President Han and more than 20 other trade union leaders have been imprisoned in South Korea for standing up for workers’ rights. In the face of a five-year jail term, President Han has responded to this deliberate attempt to crush worker protests with dignity and leadership.

In the absence of President Han, the accolade was welcomed by President of KMHU Ji-Hyun Yoo, who thanked the international labour movement for their support and paid tribute to the bravery of the Korean people. Over 1.3 million people have taken to the streets across Korea to demand President Park’s resignation.

COLOMBIA 

UNI affiliates in Colombia were awarded the Freedom from Fear award in recognition of their bravery and contribution to the establishment of peace in Colombia. On October 2, the Colombian people voted to reject the terms of the peace accord between the FARC and the government, but there has since been a new development which will hopefully open the door to a long-lasting peace accord. The award was presented to Sofia Espinosa from UNEB, Luz Marina Diaz Jimenez from UNION and Yuli Higuera from UTRACLAROTIC.

Throughout the five-decade long conflict in Colombia, trade unionists have been murdered, persecuted and stigmatized for their activism, but remain strong and determined to see peace in their country. Colombian trade unions will continue to fight for social justice, equality and peace.

Interviews

Sofia Espinosa from UNEB        spanish version

Luz Marina Diaz Jimenez from UNION     spanish version

Yuli Higuera from UTRACLAROTIC.       spanish version

BANGLADESH

In recognition of their courageous stand in the face of a clear attempt by the telecoms operates to prevent unionization, Bangladeshi affiliates Shahin Ahmed from AEUB, Bakhtiar Hossain Mohammed from BLEU and Mia Mohammad Rahmanmasud Shaiqur from GPEU were rewarded with the Freedom from Fear Award. 

Interviews

Shahin Ahmed from AEUB

Bakhtiar Hossain Mohammed from BLEU 

Mia Mohammad Rahmanmasud Shaiqur from GPEU

UNI has filed an OECD complaint in the Netherlands related to union busting and bad labour practices at Banglalink, which is owned by Netherlands based VimpelCom. The unions have been fighting for recognition in the face of intimidation, threats and anti-union behaviour.