Workers in the cane-based sugar sector in Kenya face substantial safety and health hazards. Companies historically have shown a lack of concern about occupational health and safety (OHS)  and this has been worsened by casualization and outsourcing, which put a great proportion of the sugar labour force at risk.

Representatives from seven global union federations, plus the International Confederation of Trade Unions (ITUC) and the European Confederation of Trade Unions (ETUC), will meet with various affiliated unions in Turkey on the eve of International Workers’ Day (May Day).

May Day, which began in the struggle of US workers for the 8-hour day, has been celebrated around the world since 1890 as International Labour Day. Its force lies in its global character: it is the day when workers around the world announce their commitment to struggle together for common goals.

IUF affiliates UNITE-HERE, the Teamsters (USA) and the NGG in Germany, together with the public services union Ver.di, are calling for international support for their members facing difficult negotiations at LSG SkyChefs and Gate Gourmet, the largest global airline catering companies.

Unions around the world will be mobilizing again on April 28, each in its way highlighting the 360,000 annual workplace fatalities and 2 million deaths from occupational diseases. On April 28, as on every other day, some 960,000 workers will be injured in an accident at work, and some 5,300 workers will die of work-related diseases.

The German Food and Allied Workers (NGG) have secured an agreement with Coca-Cola's German bottler Coca-Cola Erfrischungsgetraenke AG (CCEAG) that provides extensive guarantees on job security. CCEAG, with 11,000 employees, is Germany's largest soft drink producer.