Editorial: right-wing populism, trade unions, and fundamental human rights

Abstract

2 | International Union Rights | 27/1-27/2 EDITORIAL Editorial: right-wing populism, trade unions, and fundamental human rights When work began on Volume 27.1 of IUR journal our attention was focussed on the rise of right-wing populism, now thriving throughout the world, and which informed ICTUR’s recent submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Assembly and Association. Before that edition could publish events were overtaken by the sweeping global health pandemic of Covid-19. The health crisis both delayed publication of Volume 27.1 of IUR, and became the focus of Volume 27.2, leading to the two issues being presented together in this double edition. Nicola Countouris and Andrea Ampresse explore the overtures that the Italian Right has made to unions – and discuss the importance populists place on the ‘direct link with the people’. In the face of a such an appeal to trade union members by the farright , Ozlem Yildirim argues that we have ‘nothing in common’, but there is an uncomfortable truth about these movements: they are not just populist - they are popular. Károly György considers the prospects for cooperation with one of Hungary’s far-right parties as it appears to be re-orientating itself towards the political centre, and reminds us that it is ‘fear and hope’ that motivate workers to support such parties. A cautious Adam Rogelewski is clear about the difficulties as long as populist parties are delivering real benefits impacting members’ daily lives. Esther Lynch of the European TUC concedes that trade union members ‘are not immune’ to overtures from the populists, but both Lynch and Rogelewski seem to share a view that while the right fails to address the root causes of economic injustice their project to woo trade union members is doomed. The Covid-19 health crisis has thrown into relief both the real problems facing workers which have led some to support the simplistic solutions of the right-wing populists, and also the hollowness of the populists, some of whom have seemed uninterested in even attempting to limit the impact of the virus. The risk of death or poverty has been a stark choice for many. As Dr. Patrick Roach of the NASUWT teaching union observes ‘if you are Black or Asian in the UK you are more likely to die from COVID-19. And, you’re also more likely to experience hardship as a result of emergency measures that have been introduced’. In 2020 unions from all sectors and around the globe have been tackling these dual challenges – personal and economic health – seeking to defend labour rights, inform members, negotiate safe working practices, and influence government policy. David Bacon describes how low wages put enormous pressure on US farmworkers to go to work, that employers are not required to provide health insurance to H-2A migrant workers, and that if they stop working because they get sick, the conditions of their visa require them to leave the country. Recalling the fundamental priority of the global food supply, Paul Lievens notes the IUF’s call for ‘substantial, open-ended funding from national governments and international institutions must be made immediately available to ensure adequate protection and safe work for agricultural workers as an elementary measure’. Similar demands have been articulated for other workers on the frontlines. In January, Baba Aye tells us, Global Nurses United wrote to the WHO Director General, calling for airborne precautions to be implemented, but even months later the fight for PPE and other health and safety measures continues in numerous sectors. ITF affiliates have developed a global charter of demands, endorsed by several occupational health and safety organisations and networks, calling on governments to recognise Covid-19 as an occupational disease with workers being eligible for compensation payments. And the profound risks facing shop workers prompted UNI Commerce to issue a Declaration on protective measures for workers and customers in the food retail sector. The UNI Declaration was rapidly endorsed by multinational companies employing one million workers, with real implications for the provision of protection and safety standards throughout these companies’ operations. Daniel Blackburn, Editor Next issue of IUR Articles between 850 and 1800 words should...