Its Annual Survey of Trade Union Rights violations, published on Wednesday, also claims that nearly 10 000 workers were sacked for their trade union involvement, and almost 1 700 detained.
“Latin America remained the most perilous region for trade union activity, with Colombia once again topping the list for killings, intimidation and death threats.
“70 Colombian unionists paid the ultimate price for standing up for fundamental rights at work.
Other countries that come under the spotlight for violence and repression against unionists include Iraq, Iran, El Salvador, Djibouti, China, Cambodia, Guatemala, Zimbabwe and Burma, it says.
Some Arabian Gulf countries continue to ban trade unions altogether, while in several other countries including North Korea, government-controlled "official trade unions" are the order of the day.
“In Australia, the government rushed through new laws depriving the country's workforce of the most fundamental protections,” states a media release.
"This year's report reveals deeply disturbing trends, especially for women, migrant workers and those who work in the public sector", said ICFTU general secretary Guy Ryder.
"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," he added. Alongside the 70 killings, 260 Colombian trade unionists received death threats, in a climate of continuing impunity for the assassins, and deliberate targeting of trade unions by armed groups.
The education sector was a particular focus for repression, contributing to a growing phenomenon of violence against women workers, it argues.
“Elsewhere in the Americas, eight rural worker's rights supporters were killed in Brazil, and in Honduras, regional trade union coordinator Francisco Cruz Galeano was slain last December.
“In Guatemala the pervasive climate of violence and fear, especially against women workers, continued with workers in education, banking and agriculture amongst the primary targets.”
It also hits out against the US: “The Bush Administration continued its efforts to undermine freedom of association and collective bargaining in the USA, helping to ensure that union-busting remained rife.”
Export-processing zones in several Asian countries, notably Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka were highlighted for anti-union action by employers, often with government complicity, as part of the relentless drive by many global companies to undercut their competitors.
The report covers countries in Asia, South America, Australia, Africa as well as the Middle-East.
The ICFTU represents 155-million workers in 236 affiliated organisations in 154 countries and territories. The ICFTU is also a partner in Global Unions.
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