From Indonesia to Türkiye, workers across Asia-Pacific stood united on May Day 2025 — demanding justice, fair wages, and dignity at work in powerful shows of labour solidarity.

As trade unions around the world remember those lost to preventable workplace tragedies, ITUC-Asia Pacific is sounding the alarm about a new frontier of occupational health and safety (OHS) risks – those created by artificial intelligence (AI), algorithmic management, and digital surveillance. These emerging technologies, if left unchecked, could reshape the world of work in ways that threaten both the physical and mental well-being of workers.

On 4 April 2025, the Constitutional Court of Korea upheld unanimously the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol, four months after his declaration of martial law on 3 December 2024, resulting in his removal from office.

ITUC-Asia Pacific supports its affiliates in Bangladesh in calling for the full and transparent implementation of the International Labour Organization (ILO) roadmap, which outlines critical labour rights reforms that Bangladesh must undertake to comply with international labour standards. Following the review at the 353rd Session of the ILO Governing Body in Geneva, ITUC-Asia Pacific and its affiliates acknowledge the interim government’s initial steps to address labour rights concerns, but they remain deeply concerned about the persistent gaps in labour law reforms, trade union registration, and the enforcement of workers’ rights.

Trade union representatives join civil society organisations in advocating for development justice at the 12th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) 2025, held at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand, from 25-28 February 2025.

ITUC-Asia Pacific calls on governments to take immediate action toward nuclear disarmament following the conclusion of the Third Meeting of the States Parties (3MSP) to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 3-7 March 2025.

ITUC-Asia Pacific took a pivotal role in advocating for the rights of migrant workers at the Second Asia- Pacific Regional Review of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) held in Bangkok from 3–6 February 2025. Organised by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP), the event provided a platform to push for inclusive, rights-based migration governance through meaningful social dialogue among stakeholders, including governments, trade unions, and employers.

Four years after the military coup in Myanmar, the country remains in crisis as its people continue to endure severe repression, human rights violations, and economic hardship under the oppressive military regime. On this anniversary, the ITUC-Asia Pacific has renewed its call for global solidarity and concrete action to hold the junta accountable and restore democracy.

On 14 December, South Korea’s National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol with more than a two-thirds majority. Consequently, Yoon’s duties have been suspended, and the Constitutional Court now has up to 180 days to decide whether to remove him from office. Considering the gravity of his act of rebellion to subvert constitutional orders—by criticizing opposition parties for not aligning with his views and using the military and police to storm the legislature, as well as to suppress the rights and freedoms of the people—the National Assembly’s decision should be seen as entirely justified.

On 26 November 2024, millions of farmers and workers held coordinated protests in over 500 districts across India, marking the fourth anniversary of the farmers’ historic struggle that began alongside a nationwide workers’ strike. The protests were jointly organised by the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions (CTUs) and the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) to demand urgent action on a wide-ranging charter of demands (see photos below), focusing on addressing the deepening agrarian crisis, economic inequalities, loss of social security, and government policies that favour corporations at the expense of ordinary citizens.

The ITUC-Asia Pacific strongly condemns the declaration of emergency martial law in South Korea by President Yoon Suk-yeol. This anti-democratic action is a blatant attack on the constitutional order and a dangerous step towards dictatorship.

The ITUC-Asia Pacific strongly condemns the unjust sentencing of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, including trade union leaders, Carol Ng, former Chairperson of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU), and Winnie Yu, former President of the Hospital Authority Employees' Association (HAEA).

On 31 October 2024, Indonesian workers achieved a significant victory as the Constitutional Court partially upheld a judicial review petition regarding Law No. 6 of 2023 on Job Creation, commonly known as the Omnibus Law.

Young trade unionists from across the Asia-Pacific region gathered in Singapore from 15-19 September 2024 for the 17th Youth Leadership Course titled ‘A New Social Contract – For Democracy: Empowering Youth in the Asia Pacific’. Organised by ITUC-Asia Pacific, Japan International Labour Foundation (JILAF) and Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute (OTCi), this five-day intensive programme brought together 29 participants from 18 countries, providing a platform for youth to explore pressing issues within the labour movement and promote democratic principles.

Trade unions from Asian and Arab states convened in Jordan on 24-25 September 2024 to reinforce international cooperation and address the exploitation faced by migrant workers.

The ITUC-Asia Pacific expresses deep concern over the ongoing social unrest in Bangladesh, following the violent crackdown on student protests against the government's job quota system. The death toll has tragically risen to over 200, with over 2,500 individuals arrested as police and military forces were granted "shoot-on-sight" orders to curb the unrest.

In a landmark event aimed at strengthening and highlighting trade unions’ role in development, trade unions affiliated to the ITUC-Asia Pacific and the International Trade Union Confederation – Nepal Affiliates Council (ITUC-NAC) convened in Kathmandu, Nepal on 19-20 May 2024 for a valuable workshop titled "Time for 8, Time to Build Trade Unions' Capacity to Accelerate the SDGs." The event aimed to enhance the role of trade unions in driving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) forward, with special focus on the SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth.

The workshop marked a significant step towards a collaborative approach in addressing climate change through the lens of labour rights and social justice.

Asia-Pacific remains the second worst region in the world for the working people as the past year was marked with systematic violations of the workers’ basic, democratic rights to organise a trade union, and to strike violated, according to the 2024 ITUC Global Rights Index.

ITUC-Asia Pacific embarked on a three-day mission to Timor-Leste from 6 to 8 May 2024, marking the inaugural meeting on the crucial topic of #RatifyC190. This collaborative effort aimed to empower the Timor-Leste Trade Union Confederation (KSTL) in crafting a robust campaign strategy for ratifying Convention 190 (C190) on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work.

As the world commemorates International Workers' Memorial Day on April 28th, the ITUC-Asia Pacific stands in solidarity with workers worldwide in remembrance of those who have lost their lives, been injured, or fallen ill due to their work. This year's commemoration shines a spotlight on the perilous impacts of climate change on occupational health and safety (OHS), emphasising the critical necessity of a just transition to safeguard the right to health and safe workplaces for all.

A one-day youth leadership national workshop aimed at enhancing the engagement of youth in trade unions across Bangladesh was successfully held on 9 February 2024 in Dhaka.

In a concerted effort to tackle the pervasive issue of child labour in Bangladesh, a one-day national workshop titled "Elimination of Child Labour in Bangladesh" was convened in Dhaka on 10 February 2024.

Trade union representatives converged at the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) held in Bangkok, Thailand from 20 to 23 February 2024 to raise workers’ key development justice demands on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals under review this year – Goals 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 13 (Climate Action), 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and 17 (Partnership for the Goals).

Centred on guaranteeing the long-term sustainability of initiatives, ITUC-Asia Pacific organised a pioneering Mentoring Champions Conference from 21-22 February 2024 in Manila, Philippines. This conference had the twin purpose of revisiting project milestones and reflecting on achievements while also empowering leaders to adopt the role of "Mentorship Champions."

The ITUC-Asia Pacific/DGB BW project organised a two-day training on the Most Significant Change (MSC) technique on 19-20 February 2024 in Manila to leverage the power of storytelling in amplifying the impact of the ITUC-Asia Pacific mentoring program.

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and ITUC - Asia Pacific jointly facilitated a legal clinic in Nadi, Fiji from 20 to 21 February 2024 as a part of their effort to provide direct strategic support and guidance to Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC) to help them better understand the labour law review process and enhance the capacity of FTUC leaders to advocate for workers’ rights in the country by utilising and maximising international labour and human rights standards.

The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Joint Farmers Front) and Central Trade Unions, Federations, and Associations have issued a nationwide call for massive mobilisation alongside the Industrial/Sectoral Strike and Grameen Bandh (Rural Shutdown) on 16th February 2024.

Three years since the military junta seized political power in Myanmar, the international trade union movement continues to stand in solidarity with the people in Myanmar and campaign for the restoration of their democracy.

In a landmark decision, the Parliament of the Maldives has passed the Industrial Relations (IR) Bill and Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Bill on 18 December 2023. This historic achievement is the culmination of an 11-year journey of strategic planning and unwavering struggle by workers and unions in the Maldives.

Trade unions from South Asia and Bahrain met on 19-20 October 2023 in Manama to strategise on advancing fair recruitment agenda for migrant workers in the Gulf Countries and to end forced labour and ensure decent work for all workers, including migrant workers.

The ITUC and ITUC-Asia Pacific jointly organised the National Organising Academy (NOA) in Nadi, Fiji from 20 to 21 October 2023, as part of their efforts to reinforce that building workers’ power is essential in delivering a New Social Contract.

“We want a future of work where workers’ contribution to the society and the economy is fully recognised and rightfully compensated and where minimum living wages enable workers to meet their needs and live a life of dignity.”

ITUC-Asia Pacific stands in solidarity with the Indian farmers and workers as they remember the heart-wrenching events in Lakhimpur Kheri two years ago by observing the Black Day today, 3 October.

A total of 120 trade union leaders from various national centres and affiliates of the Global Unions Federations (GUFs) gathered in a National Symposium to formulate and affirm the position paper of Indonesian trade unions regarding the Job Creation Law and a roadmap for labour law reforms in Indonesia.

ITUC-Asia Pacific and its affiliate the Konfederasaun Sindakatu Timor Leste (KSTL) met with the honourable President Jose Ramos Horta at Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace on 2 August 2023.

In an effort to address the pressing issue of climate change through Just Transition and equip trade unions with the necessary tools and capacity, the International Trade Union Confederation - Asia Pacific organised an online workshop for trade union leaders on 27 June 2023, entitled “Building the Capacity of Trade Unions in Asia and the Pacific on Just Transition”.

The mentorship program organised by ITUC-Asia Pacific, DGB BW and ATUC has unleashed the leadership potentials of participating women and youth trade unionists, as well as rekindled the fire of seasoned mentors in improving their practices in trade union work.

The ITUC-Asia Pacific strongly condemns the recent police brutality and arrest of union officials during a high-altitude sit-in protest by the POSCO subcontractor union. It urges the government of Korea to immediately release the detained union officials.

The ITUC-Asia Pacific strongly denounces the recent prison sentences imposed on Chhim Sithar, President of the Labor Rights Supported Union (LRSU) of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld, and eight other leaders of the union.

During the meeting with the ADB President, Shoya Yoshida, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)-Asia Pacific, emphasized the need for a new social contract based on decent jobs, rights, wages, social protection, inequality, and inclusion to facilitate a just transition from global challenges and revive Asia and the Pacific region.

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) - Asia Pacific organised its second Mentorship Feedback Session in 2023. Held on 14 April 2023, the session aimed to give the participants a space to touch base on how their participation in the mentorship programme has helped them achieve their goals.

Trade unions joined the broad civil society in Asia-Pacific in their demand to “change the system, shift the power” at the 10th Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok from March 27-30, 2023.

ITUC-Asia Pacific's Youth Leadership Course (YLC), a flagship program aimed at training youth leaders in organizing and union building, has successfully taken place in Singapore on 23-27 January 2023. The program was supported by the Japan International Foundation (JILAF) and the Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute (OTCi).

On the second year anniversary of the coup, we join the demand of the international trade union movement to immediately restore the democratically elected government in Myanmar.

The four-day 17th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM) of the International Labour Organization (ILO) concluded with the adoption of the Singapore Statement, which reaffirms the “tripartite commitments to, and the relevance of, the priorities agreed in the Bali Declaration to address the decent work deficits in Asia and the Pacific and the Arab regions.”

Young workers participated in two-day workshops in Bangladesh and India to identify their priorities in the five demands of the new social contract – jobs, rights, social protection, equality and inclusion.

The six labour federations under the banner of the International Trade Union Confederation – Bangladesh Council (ITUC-BC) signed a declaration that seeks to unite the divided trade union movement in Bangladesh by forming a unified confederation by 2025.

During its 22nd meeting on 13-14 October 2022, the ITUC-Asia Pacific’s Regional General Council adopted seven resolutions that seek to tackle the key challenges faced by workers in the region.

Lead organisers from national centres affiliated with ITUC and ITUC-Asia Pacific participated in three National Organising Academies (NOAs) held in Fiji, the Philippines and Indonesia.

The abolition of nuclear weapons must be mankind’s top priority, as it is a key element in building a world grounded on peace and security.‍

To mark the exact 11th anniversary of this landmark win, affiliates and partners of the ITUC-Asia Pacific and the International Domestic Workers’ Federation (IDWF) came together online to celebrate the vigour of domestic workers’ leadership, share stories of their gains and struggles, and discuss ways forward in building caring economies and making the trade union movement more inclusive.

Asia-Pacific remains the second worst region in the world for workers. The labour rights situation in the region worsened from last year.

Trade unions participated in the 9th Asia Pacific Forum for Sustainable Development (APFSD) on 28-31 March 2022 and added the workers’ voices to the collective call for development justice by civil society organisations across the region.

Following its 23rd Virtual Women’s Committee Meeting last 26 April 2022, the ITUC-Asia Pacific envisions targeted initiatives to further align gender equality programming with the organisation’s broader priorities and activities in 2022.

ITUC-Asia Pacific calls on the South Korean authorities to uphold ILO Conventions 87 and 98 and drop the charges against KCTU first vice-president Yuon Taeg-gun.

After the longstanding demand from the trade unions in Bangladesh, including the International Trade Union Confederation-Bangladesh Council (ITUC-BC), the Government of Bangladesh has ratified the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 138 (C138) or the Minimum Age Convention that seeks to progressively eliminate child labour by setting the minimum working age for any person at 14 years old.

“Save the people and save the nation!” This is the rallying cry of the trade unions in the two-day strike that was held across India on 28-29 March 2022. Organised under the banner of the joint platform of central trade unions (CTUs) and supported by many independent and sectoral federations and associations, the strike mobilised 200 million workers in India to collectively raise their demands.

This training and dissemination workshop was part of a joint project with the DGB Bildungswerk Bund (DGB BW) to advance the engagement of women and young trade unionists in leadership representations and social dialogues.

The ITUC-Asia Pacific strongly condemns Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine and urges the international community to take immediate action to stop this humanitarian crime.

Representatives from across Asia-Pacific exchanged views about union engagement in the SDGs with representatives of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia-Pacific (UNESCAP), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Building on the successes of the project’s previous phase, the WaY2GO 2.0 aims to help women and youth unionists in Cambodia, Indonesia, and the Philippines to reach their full potential as leaders in the trade union movement.

The ITUC-Asia Pacific strongly condemns Russia’s military invasion and urges its troops immediate suspension and withdrawal from Ukraine.

“We are one with the workers and people of Myanmar who, in the past one year, did not budge in the face of the military regime’s atrocious attacks."

Lyrics of the song, Equality for You and Me

The song, Equality for You and Me, was launched on Human Rights Day.

The two-week climate talks at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) concluded on 12 November with a deal that is insufficient to keep the global temperature rise to below 1.5 degrees Celsius, falling short on ambition, finance, responsibility and inclusion.

Rong Chhun, President of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU), was freed from prison on Friday, 12 November 2021, after the Phnom Penh Appeals Court reduced his sentence.

In the lead up to the UN Climate Change Conference 2021 (COP26), the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) set out its demands and climate priorities in its Frontlines Briefing titled ‘Social justice enables climate ambition: unions set course for COP 26’.

The impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic have been unprecedented, wrecking the world of work almost instantly when the first wave of outbreak happened in 2020. Nearly two years have passed since the first case of COVID-19 was detected and yet, the working people are still reeling from the multiple and intersecting crises that the pandemic has exacerbated.

The International Trade Union Confederation has published a new report about governments’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia-Pacific and whether these are in line with the SDGs.

Today, we celebrate the historic values and achievements of the international trade union movement and reaffirm our commitment to organise workers everywhere and support their fights for democratic rights.

Representatives of the ITUC-AP Conference on Asbestos met members of Committee IX (Demography, Health, Manpower and Transmigration Affairs) of the House of Representatives of Indonesia on Wednesday, 7 March 2018, including Mr. Dede Yusuf M.E., ST, M.Si and Ms. Dra. Hj. Ermalena, Chair and Vice Chair of the Committee accordingly.

Occupational Health and Safety is a fundamental human and workers’ right, which is clearly declared in international instruments. However, about 125 million people are still exposed to asbestos at the workplace. Approximately half of the deaths related to occupational cancer are estimated to be caused by asbestos. At least 107,000 people die every year because of asbestos-related lung cancer, according to the recent statistics of the WHO.

The OECD organised the Southeast Asia Ministerial Forum (SEARP) Tokyo Ministerial Conference, which consisted of the OECD Southeast Asia Ministerial Forum on Thursday, 8 March 2018 and the Steering Group Meeting of the OECD SEARP on Friday, 9 March 2018.

International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Guy Ryder witnessed a signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at which the International Trade Union Confederation - Asia Pacific (ITUC-AP), ASEAN Trade Union Council (ATUC), South Asian Regional Trade Union Council (SARTUC), Arab Trade Union Confederation (Arab TUC), African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) and the Trade Union Confederation of Americas (TUCA) expressed their firm commitment to cooperate and to carry joint trade union campaigns for the promotion and protection of the rights of migrant workers.

At the 107th Session of the International Labour Conference (28 May - 8 June 2018) , governments, employers and trade unions decided to continue discussions on violence and harassment in the world of work with a view to adopting a Convention and a Recommendation at the ILO’s centenary conference in June 2019.

Shoya Yoshida, General Secretary of the ITUC-AP, spoke on “Just Transition of Workforce and Creation of Decent Work and Quality Jobs: Opportunity and Challenges” during the Asia - Pacific Climate Week held in Singapore from 10 - 13 July 2018.

The ITUC-AP General Secretary, Shoya Yoshida, met with the Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat, Dr Alan Bollard, on 30 October 2018 in Singapore and presented the Statement of the International Trade Union Confederation / Asia Pacific Labour Network (ITUC/APLN) to the 2018 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals with historical commercial usefulness due to their extraordinary tensile strength, poor heat conduction, and relative resistance to chemical attack. However, all forms of asbestos are carcinogenic. Exposure to asbestos, no matter if it is chrysotile or any other form, may cause cancer of the lung, larynx, and ovaries, and also mesothelioma.

Felix Anthony, President of the ITUC-AP and National Secretary of the Fiji Trade Union Congress (FTUC), affiliated organisation of the ITUC-AP, was arrested on 1 May 2019 at 4.20pm from the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Conference Room, in Suva, Fiji.

Felix Anthony, President of the ITUC-AP and National Secretary of the Fiji Trade Union Congress (FTUC), was arrested again by a team of Police and taken away from his home last night at 10:30pm local time, in the presence of his family members.

“Multilateralism is in a crisis with a growing concern about globalisation,” Shoya Yoshida, General Secretary of the ITUC-AP, said in the opening of the L20 Summit in Tokyo, Japan.

The ITUC-AP carried out a survey from 26 February to 5 April 2019 to measure the impact and the implementation process of the Bali Declaration, which was adopted at the 16th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM) of the International Labour Organization (ILO) held in Bali, Indonesia, on 9 December 2016.

The ITUC-AP strongly called upon the negotiating governments of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to keep their own commitment to ‘foster an open, inclusive and rules-based trading system, and to demonstrate to the work that it is possible to make trade work for all’ by rejecting further negotiations and any conclusion at the 3rd RCEP Summit to be held on 4th November 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand.

“Building Workers’ Rights: Change the Rules, Unity - the Way Forward for an Inclusive, Sustainable Asia-Pacific” – Theme of the recently concluded ITUC-AP 4th Regional Conference that was held over 3 days from 7 - 9 October 2019 in Tokyo, Japan.