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ITF slams Australia's anti-union laws following construction worker prosecutions
21 September 2006
The ITF has lent its weight to an international campaign protesting against the prosecution of 107 construction workers in Australia, who took industrial action in defence of a sacked worker.
The government-appointed Australian Building and Construction Commission brought the prosecutions in August, after the workers took action in February over the dismissal of a union colleague on the Perth-Mandurah Railway project. The workers now face fines of AUS$28,600 (US$22,000) each and possible jail sentences.
In a letter dated 18 September, addressed to the Australian Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Kevin Andrews, ITF General Secretary David Cockroft said: “It is unacceptable that such charges be brought months after the dispute was settled. This action sets a precedent that is dangerous for human and workers’ rights in Australia.”
He reminded Andrews of the International Labour Organization’s criticism of Australia’s industrial relations laws, claiming they breached fundamental labour standards.
He also called for intervention to end the prosecutions and to repeal the laws. “Such a move would be a first step to establishing a fairer and productive industrial relations system, which would benefit both Australia’s workers and its economy,” he added.
Delegates at the ITF’s Congress in Durban, South Africa, passed a resolution in support of Australian affiliates and the Australian Council of Trade Unions in their struggle against the draconian laws, and resolved to work for their repeal.
Visit: www.labourstart.org to make your solidarity protest.
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