30 years ago, Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA was launched by then ACTU President Cliff Dolan. It is a milestone that we would not have reached without the support and solidarity of people like you. On behalf of our partner organisations and workers in developing countries - Thank you!

Over the course of 2014, we will be celebrating the life-changing work of Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA, as well as looking at the stories of solidarity that make up APHEDA's history and future.

Click here to see how the Sydney Morning Herald covered APHEDA's launch in 1984

We believe that the equality of women is essential for sustainable development. The rights of women — particularly refugees, migrant workers and other marginalised groups — are a fundamental building-block of our work to improve women's  standard of living and increase their social and economic power.

If you are in Hobart or Brisbane you can attend the following IWD events, which are also APHEDA fundraisers:

Hobart | Unions Tasmania's IWD screening of Mary Meets Mohammed, Wed 5 March
Brisbane | The Services Union's IWD Celebration, Fri 7 March

If you would like to fundraise for APHEDA at an IWD event, please call Chris on freecall 1800 888 674.

Our Annual Report for 2013 is available online. Click here to view or download report

APHEDA members in Canberra joined in the Global Day of Action in solidarity with Cambodian garment industry workers on 10 February. With great support from Unions ACT and the NTEU ACT Division, they joined representatives of the CFMEU, CPSU, AEU, ASU, and Vintage Reds (retired unionists) to rally outside the Cambodian Embassy. See photo

Last week, the ITUC and IndustriALL and a number of international brands met with the Cambodian government to discuss the situation following the police violence in January that left four workers dead, 39 injured and 23 workers imprisoned. Recently two workers were released. Of the remaining 21 detainees, 16 are on hunger strike.

While there was some cautious optimism after last week's meeting, Cambodian union members are moving ahead with plans for mass strike actions in mid-March as they maintain their demand for a fair living wage.

For over a year, the whereabouts of Sombath Somphone — an award winning community development leader from Laos — have been unknown. He was last seen on closed circuit cameras being driven away by police in a white truck after being stopped at a police vehicle checkpoint.

Sombath's case is disturbing for all members of civil society in Laos. His family continue to plead with the Lao Government for an end to Sombath's enforced disappearance and are actively raising awareness of his case.

In Sydney tomorrow night, Shui Meng Ng, Sombath's wife, will talk about Sombath and his work, the contextual background that could have caused his disappearance, and the impact this incident is having on Laotian society. Event details
 

Workers throughout South East Asia face increasing levels of asbestos use as the asbestos industry seeks to exploit markets where its deadly effects are not yet well-known.

Union activists are working to build support in Australia for the union-led asbestos disease prevention campaign in Asia.
Organising Conference attendees are invited to come along to this workshop to learn more and contribute your ideas on pushing out the campaign in your union and your networks!

Workshop details: Thursday 27th February, 12pm-1pm, Medallion Lounge