International News

The ASU stands in solidarity with victims of terror attacks around the world. The events in Paris a few days ago have highlighted the barbarity of such attacks and their unconscionable impact on innocent people going about their daily lives. As part of a movement based on collective action, we…

A group of Australian public sector trade unions including the ASU have welcomed a new report, released in Europe overnight, which highlights the need for governments around the globe to urgently address international corporate tax system loopholes. The Australian Services Union (ASU), NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association (NSWNMA), Community and…

TPP text shows some impacts from community campaigns, but still favours corporate rights over citizens and communities. Click here to read this on the AFTINET website “Preliminary analysis of the thousands of pages of the main chapters of the TPP text show that community campaigns pressured governments to resist some…

A report released yesterday by Dr Joanna Howe of the University of Adelaide Law School, an expert in temporary labour migration, has vindicated the ASU and others' fears that the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) seriously risks access to jobs for the local workforce, as well as undermining Australian labour…

Pressure is on to speed up the PACER-Plus negotiations between Australia, NZ and 14 Pacific Island Countries. This is another in a line of secret trade agreements that promote the rights of corporations over people. AFTINET, Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA, ACTU and Pacific Network for Globalisation (PANG), are holding a rally…

On 25 September, the UN's new 2030 Agenda was adopted in the presence of the world's top leaders at a special session of the Annual General Assembly of the United Nations. This year also marks the 70th Anniversary of the UN, which lends additional momentum to this new global agenda…

Paris, 15 September 2015 (ITUC OnLine): Laurent Fabius, the French Foreign Minister and incoming President of the UN climate talks COP21, addressed the Trade Union Climate Summit 80 days before the start of the climate talks in Paris. Click here to read this article on the ITUC website Speaking at…

The Australian Services Union along with the ACTU and other unions are opposing a number of aspects of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA). The Agreement is yet to be passed by the Australian Parliament, although it has already been signed by the Federal Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew…

The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement was finalised in November 2014 but the text was only released on 17 June 2015. It appears that the Australian Government made huge concessions on temporary labour and investor rights in its desperation to complete the deal. Click here to read this on the AFTINET…

Yet another series of leaks confirm PSI's repeated concerns on the restriction of governments' right to regulate in the public interest as well as underlining the lack of transparency surrounding the Trade In Service Agreement (TISA) negotiations. Click here to read this item on the PSI website The documents –…