The Universal Alliance of Diamond Workers (UADW) was a small global union federation bringing together workers in the diamond polishing and jewellery making.
History
The federation was founded in Antwerp in 1905.[1] Its aims were to provide information on the industrial and social situations relevant to its members, and to conduct its own research.[2]
In its early years, the federation grew, representing 22,700 workers by 1913.[1] But this gradually declined; by 1982, the federation had affiliates in Belgium, France, Israel, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, but they represented a total of only 10,100 members, making it by far the smallest global union federation.[2]
The federation remained at around 10,000 workers until 1993, when member unions in the Belgium, Israel and the Netherlands decided to relaunch it, with a focus on attracting unions outside Europe. It began campaigning against poor labour practices in diamond mining, including a call for children under 14 being banned from working in the industry, and a ban on dangerous cobalt "scaifes" (polishing wheels).[1][3] This was successful, and by 2006 had members in Africa, Asia and Latin America.[4]
