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Ruwan Subasinghe @ruwansubasinghe.bsky.social · 7h

The oral statements can be accessed here: www.icj-cij.org/case/191/ora...

The written submissions (including the ITUC's) have now be made public and can be found here: www.icj-cij.org/case/191/wri...

10/10

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Ruwan Subasinghe @ruwansubasinghe.bsky.social · 7h

A robust right to strike is fundamental to address today's challenges, providing an effective check to the extreme imbalances of power between labour and capital which have led to the multiple crises we are in now.

We will win.

9/10

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Ruwan Subasinghe @ruwansubasinghe.bsky.social · 7h

It was an honour to be part of the ITUC legal team in these proceedings and to represent millions of transport workers affiliated to the @itfglobalunion.bsky.social.

And what a team we had. Such a joy to work with colleagues who are close friends and comrades.

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Ruwan Subasinghe @ruwansubasinghe.bsky.social · 7h

We are confident that the Court will confirm the longstanding existence of the right to strike under C87 & restore to the ILO, its supervisory system, and members the status quo before the Employers' abandoned consensus in 2012 by offering an incorrect legal interpretation.

8/10

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Ruwan Subasinghe @ruwansubasinghe.bsky.social · 7h

Not to mention the customary status that the right to strike has achieved as an inherent component of freedom of association under international law.

7/10

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Ruwan Subasinghe @ruwansubasinghe.bsky.social · 7h

While there is no need to resort to supplementary rules of Treaty interpretation, the travaux preparatoires and the circumstances of its conclusion also confirm that the right to strike is certainly not excluded from the Convention.

6/10

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Ruwan Subasinghe @ruwansubasinghe.bsky.social · 7h

This position is further supported by States' and the ILO's supervisory bodies' subsequent practice, as well as other relevant rules of international law, including a plethora of human rights treaties.

5/10

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Ruwan Subasinghe @ruwansubasinghe.bsky.social · 7h

Under the rules of Treaty interpretation, the ordinary meaning of the Convention, interpreted in good faith, in their context, and in light of its object and purpose, absolutely confirms the existence of a right to strike under C87.

4/10

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Ruwan Subasinghe @ruwansubasinghe.bsky.social · 7h

For us and the vast majority of participants in these proceedings, the answer has always been and continues to be a resounding yes.

3/10

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Ruwan Subasinghe @ruwansubasinghe.bsky.social · 7h

After 13 long years in what has proved to be an intractable dispute among ILO constituents, the Court was asked to answer one simple question:

“Is the right to strike of workers and their organizations protected under Convention87?"

2/10

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Ruwan Subasinghe @ruwansubasinghe.bsky.social · 7h

This week we were at the International Court of Justice in The Hague for the oral hearings on the request for an advisory opinion on the Right to Strike under ILO Convention 87.

The @ituc.bsky.social participated in these proceedings representing the workers of the world.

#RightToStrike

🧵1/10

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Ruwan Subasinghe @ruwansubasinghe.bsky.social · 2d

…and that’s the end of Day 1 and what a day it was! We’re back tomorrow morning at 1030 to hear statements from nine States.

Protect the #RightToStrike!

ITUC @ituc.bsky.social · 2d

📣 Breaking update — Today, the ITUC addressed the International Court of Justice as the hearings on the #RightToStrike begin.

⚖️ ITUC is making the case that strike rights must be enshrined in international law to protect workers’ voices and democracy.

🔗 Learn more: buff.ly/Ws1PrYi #ForDemocracy

Reposted by Ruwan Subasinghe

FNV Vakbond @fnv.bsky.social · 3d

🍉 Ruim 250.000 mensen trokken vandaag een Rode Lijn voor Gaza. Een overweldigende 5 kilometer lange lijn, met daarin veel FNV-ers. Bedankt dat jullie je #grenzeloossolidair toonden met al die burgers, hulpverleners en journalisten die in Gaza hun leven niet zeker zijn. ❤️

www.fnv.nl/over-de-fnv/...

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Ruwan Subasinghe @ruwansubasinghe.bsky.social · 2d

2 million people out for Italy's general strike against the #GazaGenocide & the unlawful Sumud Flotilla interception.

CGIL rejected the Guarantee Commission's unlawful strike ruling by relying on the exception for action in defence of constitutional principles.

Solidarity.

Drop Site @dropsitenews.com · 6d

BREAKING: “October 3 will be a day of strike, with hundreds of initiatives in different Italian cities in support of the Global Sumud Flotilla, of peace, and to reaffirm international law,” CGIL, Italy’s largest trade union declares...

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Ruwan Subasinghe @ruwansubasinghe.bsky.social · 7d

Within minutes of the Sumud Flottilla being intercepted, Italy's largest union CGIL calls general strike.

Union states that since strike is to protect constitution & to protest serious OSH threat to crew/activists, notice requirements for essential services do NOT apply.

#Gaza #FlotillaGaza

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Ruwan Subasinghe @ruwansubasinghe.bsky.social · 8d

Great to see the UN SG's report on #JustTransition refer to @itfglobalunion.bsky.social & @ituc.bsky.social submissions in context of human rights frameworks for a JT.

PARA 47: right to strike should be protected in transition-related decision-making!

LINK: www.ohchr.org/sites/defaul...

www.ohchr.org

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Ruwan Subasinghe @ruwansubasinghe.bsky.social · 8d

The #ICJ has published the schedule for the oral hearings on the advisory proceedings relating to the Right to Strike under ILO C87 from 6-8 Oct 2025.

First morning will see ILO, trade unions & employers take the floor.

Hearings will be live-streamed.

#ProtectTheRightToStrike

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Ruwan Subasinghe @ruwansubasinghe.bsky.social · 13d

Solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla.

International crimes must end and the Palestinian people must see justice & peace.

Israel must respect international law by allowing the Flotilla safe passage & by ending the criminalisation of crew, volunteers & humanitarian activists.

International Transport Workers' Federation @itfglobalunion.bsky.social · 14d

The ITF stands in unwavering solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla and all those sailing with the sole humanitarian objective of delivering lifesaving aid to Gaza.

www.itfglobal.org/en/news/itf-...

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Ruwan Subasinghe @ruwansubasinghe.bsky.social · 19d

Some much needed good news coming from #Belarus. After years of unjust imprisonment, independent trade union leader Yarashuk and other activists have been released. Solidarity!

ITUC @ituc.bsky.social · 21d

🚨 #Belarus trade union leaders freed – but forced into exile.
After 3.5 years in prison, Aliaksandr Yarashuk & others were dropped at the Lithuanian border with no passport, no belongings, just their prison clothes.
➡️ www.ituc-csi.org/Belarus-ITUC...

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Ruwan Subasinghe @ruwansubasinghe.bsky.social · 20d

With growing consensus that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, workers of conscience are taking action to oppose ongoing international crimes. In this piece, I look at the position under international law of various strike modalities being deployed.
elitshanews.org.za/2025/09/18/f...

Ruwan Subasinghe @ruwansubasinghe.bsky.social · 21d

The UN Fact-Finding Mission for #Sudan conclude that the SAF and RSF are committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. Horrific details of gender-based violence on a mass scale.

Arms embargo now. Support the ICC. Hold perpetrators accountable.
www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...

“A war of atrocities:” Sudan civilians deliberately targeted, UN Fact-Finding Mission reports international crimes on large-scale

GENEVA – Rival forces in Sudan are deliberately targeting the devastated nation’s civilian population, committing atrocities including war crimes on a large scale, the Independent International Fact-F...

www.ohchr.org

Ruwan Subasinghe @ruwansubasinghe.bsky.social · 21d

One of the reasons I've been off this app for a few weeks!

Great to have adopted consensual tripartite recommendations on the future of railway labour at the @ilo. First time in 31 years. Future tripartite action also on the cards.

DRAFT conclusions: www.ilo.org/resource/rec...

Ruwan Subasinghe @ruwansubasinghe.bsky.social · 21d

Really happy to report that @itfglobalunion.bsky.social has entered into a legally-binding agreement with fashion retail giant #ASOS to protect transport workers’ rights in the company's supply chains. This is meaningful stakeholder engagement in action.

#BizHumanRights #HRDD

International Transport Workers' Federation @itfglobalunion.bsky.social · 28d

ITF and ASOS have signed a landmark agreement to protect transport workers’ rights across the fashion destinations' supply chain. This will raise the bar for the transport workers who keep ASOS’s operations moving, from seafarers to warehouse and logistics workers.

www.itfglobal.org/en/news/asos...

ASOS and ITF team up to protect workers’ rights with new transport supply chain agreement

Landmark deal extends ASOS’ commitment to workers’ rights into global transport and logistics.ASOS, the global fashion destination, has signed a legally-binding agreemen

www.itfglobal.org

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Ruwan Subasinghe @ruwansubasinghe.bsky.social · 21d

The UN IICI on the OPT report concludes that Israel is committing #genocide in Gaza, namely the prohibited acts under Art.2 (a)-(d) of the Genocide Convention.

The international community has no place to hide. All States must exercise their common obligation to prevent & punish genocide.

Prem Thakker ツ @premthakker.bsky.social · 22d

It’s official: the United Nations Commission of Inquiry concludes Israel is committing genocide.

The UN body calls on nations to stop sending weapons to Israel, ensure people within their jurisdiction aren’t aiding or inciting the genocide, and hold those who are accountable.

Ruwan Subasinghe @ruwansubasinghe.bsky.social · Aug 27

Congrats to #Korea's unions for securing some major labour law reforms:

- Expansion 'employer' definition to cover those with effective control over work conditions;
- Union membership for workers outside employment rel'ship;
- Expansion of scope of right to strike...

& more!

ITUC @ituc.bsky.social · Aug 27

✊ Big win for workers in #SouthKorea!

After 10+ years of organizing, unions have won historic reforms to TULRAA — a turning point for labor rights:

🔹Employers can’t hide behind subcontracting
🔹Strikes no longer mean crushing damages
🔹Layoffs & restructuring now count as disputes

🔗 buff.ly/hqs9wmN

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