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Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Workers' rights in global free fall: 87pc of countries violate strikes, 80pc cripple collective bargaining
PARIS, June 2 — Workers' rights around the world are 'in free fall', with widespread attempts to hamstring collective bargaining and attacks on trade union representatives, the world's largest trade union organisation said Monday. The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) found a 'profound deterioration' in workers' rights in its annual rights index published on Monday, based on 97 indicators laid out by the United Nations and international treaties. Workers' rights, which the report measured in 151 countries, particularly declined in Europe and the Americas — with the worst results for the two regions since the index was launched in 2014. In total, 87 per cent of countries violated the right to strike and 80 per cent violated the right to collective bargaining, the ITUC said. 'The right to collective bargaining was restricted in 80% of countries (121),' the ITUC said. In France, for example, 'nearly four in every 10 collective agreements were imposed unilaterally by employers, without union representation'. The report also said outlined 'persecution' against union leaders. 'In France, more than 1,000 union leaders and members of the Confederation generale du travail (CGT) were facing criminal charges and disciplinary measures for their roles in mass protests against pension reforms,' it said. Widespread decline The ITUC gives each country a maximum score of one and a minimum score of five for their respect for workers' rights, such as the right to strike, demonstrate and participate in negotiations. Only seven countries — including Germany, Sweden and Norway — were awarded the maximum score, compared to 18 a decade ago. Italy and Argentina saw their scores drop in 2025. 'If this pace of decline continues, in ten years there will be no country left in the world with the highest rating for its respect for workers' rights,' ITUC head Luc Triangle said in a statement. In 2025, Europe experienced the sharpest decline of any region in the world over the past 10 years. The ITUC also said trade unionists or workers were killed in five countries in 2025: South Africa, Cameroon, Colombia, Guatemala and Peru. And Nigeria joined the list of the 10 worst countries for workers' rights for the first time. Only a handful of countries saw an improvement in workers' rights. Reforms strengthened trade union rights in Australia, while in Mexico, labour law changes improved access to justice for workers. — AFP
CBS News
10-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Nippon Steel presses forward with effort to acquire U.S. Steel
Japan-based Nippon Steel is not giving up on its efforts to purchase U.S. Steel; on an earnings call, they signaled that they are doubling down. Nippon's president said that turning U.S. Steel into a wholly-owned subsidiary is the negotiation starting point, according to reporting from Nikkei Asia. What would becoming a subsidiary mean for U.S. Steel? This would mean that U.S. Steel would become part of Nippon Steel. Along with the idea of making U.S. Steel a wholly-owned subsidiary, they have also discussed various other proposals. President Trump indicated earlier this year that he would allow Nippon to invest in U.S. Steel, but said that he wants the company to remain American-owned. It has been reported by Nikkei that Nippon's president believes that they are moving closer to a deal, and it would resemble the structure of its original bid to purchase U.S. Steel. Meanwhile, the company's vice chairman is heading to Washington, D.C. next week to talk about the potential deal with U.S. Steel with the Trump Administration. After his visit to D.C., he'll head to Pennsylvania to meet with local union leaders. Braddock's mayor, Cletus Lee, said he's still optimistic that the deal gets done and said he hopes it can get hashed out behind closed doors, and then be presented to the public when the time is right. This is all happening as the deadline for the merger approaches, with both sides having until mid-June to hammer out a deal. Former President Joe Biden blocks the acquisition of U.S. Steel Prior to leaving office, former President Joe Biden blocked Nippon Steel's acquisition of U.S. Steel. The $15 billion proposal was blocked after a government panel recently failed to reach a consensus on the possible national security risks of the deal. "It is my solemn responsibility as president to ensure that, now and long into the future, America has a strong domestically owned and operated steel industry that can continue to power our national sources of strength at home and abroad; and it is a fulfillment of that responsibility to block foreign ownership of this vital American company," Biden said at the time in a statement. Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel condemned the decision and said in a joint statement they would take "all appropriate action" to protect their legal rights. The companies called Mr. Biden's move "unlawful." Nippon Steel makes offer to purchase U.S. Steel Late in 2023, U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel announced they had reached a deal worth nearly $15 billion. "NSC has a proven track record of acquiring, operating, and investing in steel mill facilities globally – and we are confident that, like our strategy, this combination is truly Best for All," said David Burritt, President and CEO of U.S. Steel said in December 2023. At the time, the deal was unanimously approved by the board of directors of both companies. Despite initial excitement from both companies, the deal ran into roadblocks and remains in limbo at this time.
