Repression, violence and intimidation against trade unionists remain prevalent in many countries according to the annual ICFTU survey of Violations of Trade Union Rights. The report catalogues 115 murders, 1600 violent assaults and 9,000 arrests worldwide during 2005 and highlights Colombia, Iraq, Iran, El Salvador, Djibouti, China, Cambodia, Guatemala, Zimbabwe and Burma as among the worst offenders.

The annual ICFTU report is the most authoritative compilation of repressive actions taken to undermine trade union rights and covers 375 countries worldwide, assessing both legal rights and the situation in practice. According to ICFTU General Secretary Guy Ryder “This year’s report reveals deeply disturbing trends, especially for women, migrant workers and those who work in the public sector. The death toll was slightly lower in 2005 than the previous year, but we are nevertheless witnessing increasingly severe violence and hostility against working people who stand up for their rights”.

As well as murders and violence in Colombia and other Latin American countries, the report, among others, looks at union-busting in the USA, new legislation in Australia restricting trade union representation for workers, and anti-union activity in export processing zones in South Asia. Migrant labour in the Middle East, and repression in Iraq, Iran and Zimbabwe are also surveyed.