The Conservative government’s record of repeated violations of worker and union rights, which has been well documented in Canada for many years, is now the subject of international condemnation. A report released this week in Geneva by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) sheds a negative spotlight on Canada’s deteriorating labour conditions, and more specifically on the Conservative government’s repressive actions toward unions and workers.
The annual report, titled Countries at Risk: 2013 Report on Violations of Trade Union Rights, lists violations all over the world, from Burma to Zimbabwe, including those in Canada.
The Canadian government is singled out for its growing interference and disregard of workers’ freedom of association, including its back-to-work legislation that abrogated the rights of Canadian Pacific Railway and Air Canada workers. The closing of the Wal-Mart in Jonquière, Québec, and the warnings received by foreign workers’ in BC from their Mexican consulate are other examples cited of the anti-union actions taking place across the country.
Public Service International is organizing a demonstration tonight in Geneva to denounce the countries named in the report. Dubbed the “Route of Shame”, union members from all over the world, many of whom are in attendance at the 102nd Meeting of the International Labour Organization, including CUPE’s Archana Rampure, will walk and ride their bicycles past the permanent missions of the countries identified in the report.
- For more information please read ITUC’s report Countries at Risk: 2013 Report on Violations of Trade Union Rights