News - Global Labour University

22nd UniKassel MA LPG Cohort Graduation

22nd cohort of the International MA Programme Labour Policies and Globalisation of the University of Kassel - Global Labour University

International Conference on Labour Studies and Research in the 21st Century: Issues, Perspectives, and Debates @ JNU

International Conference on Labour Studies and Research in the 21st Century: Issues, Perspectives, and Debates

Call for applications for the ENGAGE South Africa 2027

ENGAGE helps labour activists and trade unionists to acquire additional knowledge and tools enabling them to take an active part in public debate and the process of policy formulation and implementation.

International MA programme on Globalisation and Trade Unions – Study “Labour Policies and Globalisation” (LPG) in Kassel, Germany

Study in Germany, and explore pressing questions of the transnational trade union and labour movement together with fellow students and activists from around the globe. Deepen your understanding of current theories, research findings and methods – from crises in the global economy to labour struggles, from union strategies to the just transition.

17th GLU Conference Call for Abstracts

The 17th GLU conference in 2026 aims to bring together scholars, labour leaders and activists, policymakers and practitioners from across the world to explore and discuss the potential and possibilities of the labour movement to shape these choices.

Another batch of trade unionists complete the ENGAGE Asia Programme at UP SOLAIR

On 23 June 2025, the one-month residential phase of the 2nd ENGAGE Asia Programme officially started at the UP School of Labor and Industrial Relations (UP SOLAIR). Dean Melisa R. Serrano officially opened the programme. Messages were also delivered by members of the GLU network workdwide.

New Column on the GLU website: Conversations on Belarus

“Conversations on Belarus” — is a newly featured column on the Global Labour University website where important materials on the situation of workers’ rights in Belarus are published. It contains English translations of the most important articles originally released in independent Belarusian media, as well as materials prepared in cooperation with the trade union movement in exile.

Call for applications: GLU Honours and Master's programme in South Africa

We are happy to announce that applications for a formal postgraduate Honours and Master's (MA) degree qualification are open. This innovative postgraduate programme is offered via the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Johannesburg, South Africa, and is designed to help trade unionists tackle the challenges of globalisation.

Application Window for MA in Labour Policies and Globalisation Closing Soon

Call for Applications for MA Programme in Labour Policies and Globalisation in Germany, for the 2025/26 is open until May 1st. The one-year program, taught in English at the University of Kassel and the Berlin School of Economics and Law (HWR), is looking to receive applications from candidates with experience in labour and social movements.

Call for Applications: Alumni Workshop in Kassel 2025

The Global Labour University is organising an Alumni Workshop between September 7 and 13, 2025 in Kassel, Germany. The alumni workshop specifically targets graduates from the MA Labour Policies and Globalisation, but limited spots are also available for graduates from other GLU study programmes.

New GLU Track Launching in 2025 at the Rutgers University, USA

We are delighted to announce the big news. The School of Management and Labor Relations at Rutgers University is launching the first portion of a GLU track in Labor and Global Workers’ Rights within the Master's in Labor and Employment Relations program in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

UP SOLAIR and GLU Are Holding the Second Run of ENGAGE Asia in 2025

The second run of ENGAGE Asia in the Philippines will be held on 3 March to 18 July 2025, after a successful pilot last year. This non-degree Certificate course of the University of the Philippines School of Labor and Industrial Relations (UP SOLAIR) and the Global Labour University (GLU), includes an online and a residential phase.

GLU Expands Its Partner Network

GLU Expands Its Partner Network with Center for Global Workers’ Rights (CGWR) and Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations (SMLR) joining the frey. These exciting new developments come at the cruical time for the network, which has celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024.

Elmar Altvater Prize 2025: Call for Submissions

Call for Submissions for the Elmar Altvater Prize 2025 is now open to a graduating thesis at the PhD level, with an award of 2,000€. Applications are only accepted in electronic forms, to be sent before or at the very latest on June 30, 2025 to the following address: scherrer@uni-kassel.de. We look forward to receiving your work!

GLU Engage Transfer Conference & Africa Alumni Meeting

GLU South Africa is hosting its annual Engage Transfer Conference on Friday, 18 October, at 10:00 (UTC+2). At the event, four African trade union groups will present their Power Resources Mapping research projects. These research groups were formed earlier this year by GLU alumni and are comprised of representatives from respective workers' organisations from Zimbabwe, Kenya, Cote d'Ivoire and Uganda.

Deadline extension for ENGAGE Asia Programme: October 31, 2024

The application window for the GLU-SOLAIR ENGAGE-Asia Programme 2025 has been extended to October 31, 2024. This is a five-month, blended Certificate Course programme consisting of an online phase and a residential/in-person phase, at the School of Labor and Industrial Relations (SOLAIR) of the University of the Philippines Diliman.

Applications for the “Social Economy and Labour” MA programme open until October 31!

Applications for the “Social Economy and Labour” MA programme are open until October 31, 2024. This 1-year programme is taught at UNICAMP in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. For any questions, please contact programme coordinator Hugo Dias: hugo.rodrigues.dias@gmail.com

GLU Alumni Survey 2024: Send Us Your Replies!

GLU Alumni: we kindly invite you to answer our all-important 2024 survey by September 15. Your insights will be a great help and will support us in growing and developing the GLU Alumni Network. One lucky participant will also be selected at random from the respondents to receive a prize, which will be announced after the survey is closed- thank you in advance for your participation!"

GLU Alumni Workshop 2024: September 21-27, 2024

GLU is organising an Alumni Workshop for graduates from the GLU programmes between September 21 and 27, 2024, at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, India. The workshop will provide a comprehensive reflection on the impact of just transition, gender equality, migration, and authoritarian regimes on the world of work and an analysis of trade union strategies responding to these challenges.

GLU Conference India: September 25-27, 2024

The annual GLU Conference is scheduled for September 25 to 27, 2024, at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi, India. This occasion is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the GLU network internationally and deepen the discussion on topics central to the network with GLU academics and Alumni, as well as members of national and international trade unions.

GLU Newsletter May - July 2024 is Out!

GLU Newsletter for the period of May - July 2024 is out. It contains the key updates, events, and activities from around the network, such as the GLU Annual Conference in India. Make sure to subscribe via our website to keep up with news and get involved in GLU activities.

Call for Applications: GLU ENGAGE South Africa

The application window for ENGAGE South Africa: course "Union Rights, Policy and Practice: Training for Global Union Activists" is now open. The course runs from September 1 to October 24, 2025, at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. Closing date for applications is Friday, December 19, 2024.

Application for the GLU-SOLAIR ENGAGE-Asia Programme 2025 Open

Application for the GLU-SOLAIR ENGAGE-Asia Programme 2025 is now open. ENGAGE-Asia is a five-month, blended Certificate Course programme consisting of two phases, an online phase and a residential/in-person phase. The residential phase is hosted at the School of Labor and Industrial Relations (SOLAIR) of the University of the Philippines Diliman.

Applications for the GLU Postgraduate Programme in South Africa Open

Applications for the GLU Postgraduate Master and Honours Programme 2025 programme are now open. This fulltime coursework and research study programme is located in the School of Social Sciences, the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Johannesburg, South Africa.

GLU Working Papers are Back!

GLU Working Paper series has made a comeback after an extended hiatus. The series started back in 2008, and has served as a platform for GLU members and associates of the network, as well as GLU alumni, to publish stimulating research on issues around globalisation and labour.

GLC Call for Contributrions: Centring Care Work

The Global Labour Column calls for contributions that analyse the various dimensions of care work, with a focus on activist struggles, theoretical debates and research findings. Contributions based on action research methods and concrete experiences of community-based organisations are highly welcome, as well as those exploring the relationship between these struggles and trade union mobilization.

GLU Alumna Khaing Zar Aung Receives Arthur Svensson Prize

Khaing Zar Aung, a GLU Alumna and President of the Industrial Workers' Federation of Myanmar was awarded the Arthur Svensson Prize for trade Union Rights 2024. The Prize commite awared “the courageous trade union leader Khaing Zar Aung from Myanmar”, wishing to “shine a spotlight on the resistance struggle against the military regime in Myanmar".

Great Professor and Ally of GLU Edward Webster Passes Away

We are deeply saddened by the news of Professor Edward Webster passing away. Prof. Webster has left an immense legacy, influencing and inspiring generations of scholars, activists and workers around the globe. He was a dear friend and an invaluable ally of GLU and the International Centre for Development and Decent Work (ICDD) since their inception.

2024: The 20th Anniversary of Global Labour University

In 2024, we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Global Labour University. This pivotal moment for the whole network will be commemorated with a series of events, such as the GLU reception at the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva, and the GLU Symposium at the ILPC conference in Göttingen.

GLU MA Programme in India: Application Until March 29

JNU and GLU are inviting application from international students for admission under in-absentia category for Post Graduate programme for the Academic Year 2024-25. The final applicaiton deadline is March 29, 2024.

Call for Submissions: 2024 Elmar Altvater Prize

Call for sumbissions has been issued for the 2024 Elmar Altvater Prize. Applications are only accepted in electronic forms, to be sent before or at the very latest on March 31, 2024. The prize aims to encourage young scholars to continue the tradition of critical thought about thedegradation and destruction of nature.

DAAD Prize Awarded to GLU Alumni Yury Varlamov

GLU Mastar´s programme student Yury Varlamov has received the award of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for his outstanding academic achievements and the social commitment of international students. Prof. Dr. Anne Lisa Carstensen accepted the award in his stead, from the Kassel University President Ute Clement.

Application Window for the “Social Economy and Labour” is Open Until Oct 31

Application Deadline for the “Social Economy and Labour” Master´s Course at UNICAMP in Brazil is coming on October 31. Find out more information about this Master's programme, including application steps and form, and make sure not to miss the deadline.

Call for Applications: ENGAGE South Africa 2024

The applications for the South Africa ENGAGE 2024 program “Union Rights, Policy and Practice: Training for Global Union Activists“ are officially open. The closing date for applications: Friday, 20 December 2023. Courses are taught by experienced teaching staff from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, and other guest lecturers.

Virtual Open House: Master's Program in Labor and Global Workers’ Rights at Penn State University

In the virutal open house, our faculty, alumni, and current students of the LGWR program will discuss the program, curriculum, degree requirements, the application process, and more! We will take your questions too.

The GLU International Conference Set to Take Place in Johannesburg, from Sep 05-07, 2023.

The Global Labour University International Workshop “Just Transition to a Post-Carbon Future” will be hosted at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa between September 5 and 7, 2023. The event will be followed by Steering Committee Meeting.

Call for Applications for Honours and MA Programme Open Until August 31

Call for Applications for the GLU South Africa Honours and MA programme Honours and MA programme is open until August 31. The programmes are offered through the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. It is a fulltime coursework and research study programme located in the School of Social Sciences.

South-South Cooperation Ongoing via GLU Programmes

The Global Labour University (GLU) and the GLU Online Academy has been creating spaces and opportunities for South-South Cooperation to prosper. ENGAGE Asia Programme is the latest outcome of South-South cooperation between the ENGAGE Programme South Africa at the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) in Johannesburg and the University of the Philippines School of Labor and Industrial Relations (UP SOLAIR) in the Philippines.

GLU Presented at the LabourStart Global Solidarity Conference 2023

At a workshop session of the LabourStart Global Solidarity Conference, held on April 30th, the Global Labour University (GLU) presented its educational offerings under the theme of Rethinking Workers' Education and Reloading Workers´ Politics.

Call for Applications for our GLU South Africa Honours and MA programme for 2024

Call for Applications for our GLU South Africa Honours and MA programme for 2024 is open. Students can send their applications until August 31, 2023. The programmes are offered through the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Call for Applications for the MA Programme Labour Policies and Globalisation

The MA programme Labour Policies and Globalisation (LPG) at the University of Kassel remains open for applications for the next study year 2023/24. The application deadline for the preliminary assessment is March 15, 2023, so make sure not to miss it.

Call for Submissions for Elmar Altvater Prize 2023.

In memory of the scholarly work and political engagement of critical political economist Elmar Altvater, this call for submissions to the competitive award named after him seeks to recognize outstanding work in the theoretically-informed and ecologically-inclusive critiques of political economy. Applications are only accepted in electronic forms, to be sent before or at the very latest on March 31, 2023.

Virtual Open House: Master's Program in Labor and Global Workers’ Rights at Penn State

In the open house, our director, alum, and current students of the Master of Professional Studies in Labor and Global Workers’ Rights (LGWR) will discuss the program, curriculum, degree requirements, the application process, and more! We will take your questions too.

Call for Applications for ENGAGE South Africa Short Course Training Programme 2023

Global Labour University and the University of Witwatersrand have opened applications for the ENGAGE South Africa Short Course Training Programme. The programme is called “Union Rights, Policy and Practice: Training for Global Union Activists”, and is tailored to trade unionists and labour activists globally.

Certificate Course ENGAGE-Asia programme Applications Open until November 15

"The Global Labour University and the School of Labor and Industrial Relations of the University of the Philippines, with the support of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Global Trade Union Project in Germany, will roll out beginning next year (June to July 2023) a new, two-month blended Certificate Course called ENGAGE-Asia programme - "Building Worker Power in the 21st Century."

Invitation for online participation in the 2022 GLU Asia Alumni Workshop on Nov. 1-3, 2022.

The Organizing Committee of the 2022 GLU Asia Alumni Workshop invites all GLU Alumni to participate online in the upcoming event on Nov. 1-3, 2022. This workshop will be held in a hybrid format, both in-person and online via a video conference platform (e.g., Zoom). The theme is “The implications of the pandemic in the world of work: Expanding social protection and public services to protect workers and peoples in times of crises”.

"Just and Green" course now avaiable in French language

The free online course, "Just and Green: Labour´s Ecological Question" course is now available in the French language. The course officially launched on October 15 and will remain in the tutored mode for a month. During that time, a variety of online activities such as workshops and webinars will be organised for course participants.

Applications for the Programme Social Economy and Labour are Open Until November 11

Candidates should make sure to submit their applications before the deadline of November 11. The Programme is taught at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. You can find all the relevant information on our page.

Online Webinar "From victims to actors of Just Transition: Lessons from the Lucas Aerospace Workers' Plan"

Online Webinar "From victims to actors of Just Transition: Lessons from the Lucas Aerospace Workers' Plan" will take place on October 7, 2022, at 15:00 (CEST). This event is organized by the Online Academy of the Global Labour University. It features Nora Rätzel from the Umeå University in Sweeden and Phil Asquith, former Chairman of the Lucas Aerospace Combine Shop Stewards’ Committee, Burnley site.

Call for Applications: ENGAGE-Asia Programme 23

The official call for applications for ENGAGE Programme Asia 2023, "Building Worker Power in the 21st Century: Training for Labour Activists in Asia" is active. In-person sessions will take place in July 2023 at the School of Labor and Industrial Relations, the University of Philippines.

New Course Coming Soon: Challenging Corporate Power in GSCs in Latin America

A new course in Spanish and Portuguese is coming in October 2022. Currently in pilot stage, it combines content from the course “Regulating GSCs to empower workers” and new video lectures from experts in the region.

"Just and Green: Labour’s Ecological Question" Course In Tutored Mode

The course "Just and Green: Labour’s Ecological Question" will be launched in tutored mode again in September. This stage brings new content, opportunities to engage with experts, and a possibility to get a Certificate of Accomplishment. You can enroll now and receive important information through course announcements.

Online Webinar "Intersectional discrimination in global supply chains and collective resistance for work with dignity"

The event gathered the experts featured in Chapter 2 of the free online course "Subordination and discrimination in GSCs: recognising diversity and building unity", Prof. Martha Chen, Prof. Stephanie Barrientos and Dr. Alessandra Mezzadri. They discussed intersectional forms of discrimination and subordination of workers in supply chains.

Invitation for Applications for the Social Theory 2022 Short Course

University of Witwatersrand (Wits) and the GLU invite trade unions to nominate one member from their ranks to attend the Social Theory 2022 Short Course. The thematic focus is the energy sector and the aim is to help participants develop the capacity for critical thinking and to engage analytically about labour-related issues.

GLU Is Launching a New Course on June 15: "Subordination and Discrimination in GSCs"

The new GLU course, "Subordination and Discrimination in GSCs: Recognizing Diversity and Building Unity", will launch on June 15, 2022. The course is open for enrolment and will address the intersectional forms of discrimination as well as examples of resistance from across the world for work.

GTTT Workshop Organised in Kassel With Guests From Across the Globe

A three-day workshop for the members of the global team of trainers and tutors (GTTT) has taken place in Kassel, Germany, May 24-27.2022. The guests from around the world attended various events and activities to advance their skills and competencies.

ICDD Public Talk: Health, safety and security: The everyday struggles of cabin crew workers in Aerolíneas Argentinas

ICDD is organising a Public Talk by GLU Alumni Sara Cufré. The topic is "Health, safety and security: The everyday struggles of cabin crew workers in Aerolíneas Argentinas" and the event will take place on June 3, 2022, at 12:00 CEST.

An Unprecedented Attack on Trade Unions in Belarus: Activists Arrested, Including Trade Union Leaders

The State Security Service (KGB) arrested more than a dozen trade union activists, including almost all the Union leaders. Global Unions, the #ILO, Amnesty International, and others have already condemned the arrests and called for a stop to repression against Belarusian Trade Unions.

GLU Wits Honours and MA Application Call 2023

The GLU Programmes in South Africa starting in 2023 are open for applications. These are postgraduate Honours and Masters programmes at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, for 2023. The closing date for applications is 31 August 2022.

The Global Team of Trainers and Tutors (GTTT) has given rise to a political project of popular education

The Global Team of Trainers and Tutors (GTTT) has given rise to a political project of popular education on labour and the environment. Members from countries across the globe have organised 60 localised workshops reaching nearly 1,100 people.

New GLC: “In Need of Solidarity- Courageous Opponents of Uncompromising Authoritarianism Exile”

In this special series, Organising under authoritarian regimes, the author discusses the situation of authoritarian leaders suppressing human rights internally not them suppressing neighbouring countries. This column was largely written before Putin’s war against Ukraine.

XV Global Labour University Conference, “Building a Post-Pandemic World of Work with Social Justice” held in virtual format

In the 2022 edition of the GLU-Conference, which was held in a virtual format and hosted by Penn State University, AFL-CIO, ICDD and FES, we analysed these developments and ask how we build anew our workplaces and societies based on social justice.

GLU Online Webinar: Moving Beyond Extractive Industries - Resistance and Alternatives

The recording of our webinar Moving beyond extractive industries: Resistance and alternatives is now up. Thanks again to everyone who joined and for the great questions. Make sure to follow the webinar series "Nature, Labour and the Struggle for an Eco-Social World" for further developments.

A special ICDD Book Launch: Decent Work or Decent Income: “Corona Crisis” Experiences

Our partner ICDD is organising a special book launch of Decent Work or Decent Income: “Corona Crisis” Experiences, edited by Prof. Dr. Pedro Henrique Evangelista Duarte and Dr. Lygia Sabbag Fares.

The GLU Online Academy is running two of its existing online courses in a tutored mode

The GLU Online Academy is starting 2022 by running two of its existing online courses in a tutored mode: “International Labour Standards: How to Use Them?”, starting on January 31, and “Fair Wage Strategies in a Global Economy”, starting on February 28.

Making Global Tax Evaders Pay - Transnational Cooperation to Tax Transnational Corporations

GLU has oranised an Online Webinar: "Making global tax evaders pay: Transnational cooperation to tax transnational corporations". Prof. Jayati Ghosh and Christoph Trautvetter from the Tax Justice Network came together to discuss the topic of taxing Multinational corporations (MNCs).

Event Recap - GLU workshop: Migration and Trade Unions – Migrant Labour Struggles and Challenges for Organising, 3-5 March 2021

In this edition of Reshaping Work Onward, the workshop "Migration and Trade Unions – Migrant Labour Struggles and Challenges for Organising", trade unionists, scholars and activists participated in an exciting discussion on labour migration and organising.

GLU students show their support for the people of Myanmar

The Global Labour University students, have created a video on their own intititative in order to show our support for Myanmar people who are resisting and suffering under a harsh military dictatorship.

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