Latest News

Statement from Canadian and Quebec labour unions in solidarity with the family and colleagues of Shahidul Islam

June 30, 2023

June 30, 2023

The Canadian and Quebec Labour movement, joining workers around the globe, condemn the brutal murder of Shahidul Islam, a 45-year-old father of two and President of the Gazipur unit of the Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation (BGIWF).

The attack took place on June 25, 2023, in the context of his work as a union leader seeking to address a wage dispute at the request of workers. Shahidul Islam was with three other BGIWF colleagues at the Prince Jacquard Sweaters factory in Gazipur, where the factory workers are owed over two months’ wages, when they were violently attacked by a group of men. Islam’s injuries were fatal, while 3 other union leaders, Mustafa Kamal, Ahmed Sharif, and Akkas Ali, were severely injured.

Shahidul leaves behind his wife and two children. We express our sincere condolences to Shahidul’s family, as well as to all the members and colleagues of BGIWF. The Canadian unions and workers organizations signing this statement have long-standing relationships with the labour movement in Bangladesh, and we vehemently condemn this attack on freedom of association and the right to life, showing again how textile workers in Bangladesh are not treated with dignity. This sends a clear message of fear and intimidation to workers who wish to exercise their rights in a context which was already dire for organizers.

This is not the first murder of a union organizer in Bangladesh and the Bangladeshi government must fulfill its duties under international law to protect the right to organize.

Echoing the demand of our BGIWF comrades, we want justice for Shahidul Islam’s brutal murder and call on the Bangladeshi government:

  • To carry out an immediate and thorough investigation of the crime and for the perpetrators to be arrested and prosecuted.
  • To ensure industry representatives stop promoting corrupted company unions. Bangladeshi workers should be free to join unions and bargain for their rights.
  • To ensure the safety and human rights of BGIWF’s team and of labour rights defenders in Bangladesh.
  • To provide financial compensation to Shahidul Islam’s family, to which he was the sole breadwinner.

We also call on the Canadian government to put pressure on the Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety of other BGIWF organizers in this extremely difficult context.

Finally, we call on Canadian and global brands sourcing products from Bangladesh to carry out due diligence in their supply chains and use leverage to ensure respect for labour rights in law and practice. The Canadian government must implement mandatory human rights due diligence legislation in Canada and require global companies to ensure respect for human rights throughout their global supply chains.

Endorsed by :

Canadian Labour Congress  Centre international de solidarité ouvrière    
Canadian Union of Public Employees  Public Service Alliance of Canada  
United Steelworkers  Unifor

Join our newsletter

Recent news

Featured image for Spring School 2025: Promoting Mental Health course sparks change and connection

Spring School 2025: Promoting Mental Health course sparks change and connection

June 17, 2025 | News Articles

With mental health becoming a growing concern in all sectors, the Promoting Mental Health in the Workplace course provided Spring School participants with the tools and resources to advocate for mental health in their locals. Lynn Losier (Local 9350) said the course opened new doors: “I didn’t realize how many support resources were out there. […]

Read More
Click to read the article about Spring School 2025: Promoting Mental Health course sparks change and connection
People holding signs that say

USW Local 1944 issues strike notice for Rogers technicians in Abbotsford

June 16, 2025 | Media Releases

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – United Steelworkers union (USW) Local 1944 has issued a 72-hour strike notice at Rogers’ operations in Abbotsford, B.C., with 25 technicians set to walk off the job at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, June 19. The Abbotsford technicians perform the same work as their counterparts in Surrey and Vancouver, who are also members […]

Read More
Click to read the article about USW Local 1944 issues strike notice for Rogers technicians in Abbotsford
Image for USW statement on the death of Buzz Hargrove

USW statement on the death of Buzz Hargrove

June 16, 2025 | Statements

Marty Warren, National Director of the United Steelworkers union (USW), issued the following statement today on the passing of Basil (Buzz) Hargrove, former President of the Canadian Auto Workers who died June 15. The United Steelworkers and our members join the labour movement across Canada in expressing our sadness at the passing of Buzz Hargrove, […]

Read More
Click to read the article about USW statement on the death of Buzz Hargrove