Press Releases

For media inquiries please contact Rachel Cohen: racohen78 [at] gmail.com

Stop Firestone Coalition Celebrates Victory As Liberian Supreme Court Decision Approves Union Election on Firestone Plantation

12/21/07

After a lengthy strike by workers on a rubber plantation owned by the Firestone Natural Rubber Company in Liberia, the Supreme Court of Liberia ruled today that recent union elections held in July 2007 on the plantation were indeed legitimate. The first free, fair and independent union elections to take place on the plantation in its 81 year history in Liberia ushered in a new union leadership, but the previous company-controlled union challenged the elections through the legal system.

Pakistan’s Declaration of a State of Emergency

11/08/07

The International Labor Rights Forum condemns General Pervez Musharraf’s declaration of a state of emergency in Pakistan. In recent days, Pakistan’s government has detained, beaten and tear-gassed opposition party leaders, lawyers and human rights advocates and has clamped down on the media. Of particular concern to ILRF are Musharraf’s assaults on labor organizations and workers’ rights.

ILRF Questions Wal-Mart's Ethical Sourcing Practices on Anniversary of Wal-Mart CEO's Speech

10/24/07

On the second anniversary of the “21st Century Leadership” speech made by Mr. Lee Scott, Wal-Mart CEO, the International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) releases its research report on the Ethical Standards and Working Conditions in Wal-Mart’s Supply Chain. In an effort to raise awareness and educate people about the harsh working conditions that many Wal-Mart worker’s suffer worldwide, ILRF conducted an analysis compiling information from Wal-Mart’s Ethical Standards Program from 2003 through 2006.

ILRF and Global Exchange Congratulate Cargill on New Cocoa Certification Commitments

Over 40 organizations and fair trade companies release new statement on ethical cocoa sourcing
10/12/07
The International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) and Global Exchange congratulated Cargill today on their new agreement to certify its cocoa beans to the farm level in West Africa. This week, Cargill, Heinz Benelux, Ahold, UTZ Certified, Solidaridad and Oxfam Novib announced a new certification program to ensure to the farm level that cocoa is grown in a sustainable manner in Ivory Coast.

Trade Union Repression Highlighted in New GSP Petition

06/25/07

WASHINGTON, DC: The International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) filed a petition against the Philippines under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program on Friday, June 22. The complaint submitted to the Office of the United States Trade Representative alleges that the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) systematically denies workers the rights of freedom of association, the right to organize

ILRF Welcomes Investigation of Drummond for Paramilitary Links

03/20/07

March 20, 2007

Concerns raised about safety of key witness in Drummond trial

The International Labor Rights Fund (ILRF) welcomes the announcement that law enforcement officials in Colombia will investigate the murder of three trade union leaders working at a coal mine owned by US-based Drummond after allegations that company officials paid right-wing paramilitaries to conduct the assassinations.

Dole worker tells of labor rights violations in Colombian flower industry

02/12/07

For immediate release

International Labor Rights Fund

Contact: Nora Ferm, 202-347-4100

Says US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement will not protect rights of women workers

Beatriz Fuentes, a 29-year-old mother of two with nine years of work experience in Colombian rose plantations, is in the US for Valentine’s Day to share with consumers her first hand account of the issues facing women workers.

Strong advocacy for justice of the slain bishop and labor activists’ causes deportation

12/08/06

Fr. Jose Dizon, executive director of the Cavite-based Workers

Assistance Center (WAC), strongly believed that US labor lawyer Brian

Campbell was denied entry in the country because the government wants

to get even with him and with his Washington DC-based organization

International Labor Rights Fund (ILRF) for spearheading a strong

justice campaigns in the USA for the slain Bishop Alberto Ramento of

the Philippine Independent Church, Nestle union president Diosdado

"Ka Fort" Fortuna, and other activists murdered in the Philippines.

NZ rights lawyer to join protests at ASEAN summit

12/07/06

A human rights lawyer from New Zealand was able to get into the country to take part in protest actions at the ASEAN Summit in Cebu starting Sunday, ANC's The World Tonight reported Thursday.

“I would rather be called a terrorist than be cowed into silence,” said Jane Kelsey of the Action Research and Education Network who flew into Cebu to add her voice to the anti-ASEAN protests.

Kelsey feels the summit is focusing too much on broad economic and political issues and neglecting the plight of laborers and small workers.

ILRF sues Nestle for Complicity in Colombian Union Murders

10/26/06

Wife Claims Food & Beverage Giant Retaliated for Husband’s Exposure of Company’s Use of Expired Milk in Popular Drink

LABOR WATCHDOG GROUP MAY ASK MAJOR USERS OF DEER PARK BRAND NOT TO RENEW CONTRACTS

Nestle, the world’s largest food and beverage company, has been sued for complicity in the murder of a Colombian trade union leader by paramilitary forces with which the company has had a long-standing relationship.

Political Killings in Philippines

09/21/06

We, the undersigned individuals and organizations, join our voices in a call for an end to the wave of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines. Over the past five years, a stark increase in politically-motivated violence has claimed the lives of pro-democracy activists, human rights defenders, political opposition figures, lawyers, teachers, peasants, students, union leaders, and religious leaders.

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