UNIONS - Union Aid Abroad APHEDA

What is Union Aid Abroad APHEDA?

Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA is the overseas humanitarian aid agency of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU). The agency was established by the ACTU in 1984 as a means for Australian workers, through their unions, to directly assist international development by supporting projects for workers in developing countries.

Why does it matter?

In neighboring countries with whom we trade, workers face exploitation and sweatshop conditions. Bu supporting our neighbouring countries, the ACTU is sending a message that the fight for workers’ rights in one country is a fight for workers’ rights in every country.

How does it work?

In order to combat the global issues of workers who are unemployed, poorly paid and exploited, Union aid abroad believes in self reliance, not charity. That is, they work with local communities in more than 50 projects in 16 countries, to train and educate workers struggling for their rights.

Union aid abroad assists many different communities in many different ways including:

• Providing assistance workers struggling for their rights
• Providing vocational skills for disadvantaged men and women to assist them in earning an income and improving their opportunities in life
• Providing assistance to refugees and stateless people, and those suffering from HIVAIDS
• Providing education for indigenous people and child labourers

What can I do?

Support for the training projects come from the unions and their members. So by becoming a member of your industry union, you’ll automatically be helping people in other countries with less opportunities than you.

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