Representatives of international and faith-based relief organizations are emphasising that widespread public awareness is necessary in order to tackle the problems of forced labour and human trafficking.

The Unite trade union has condemned the arrest of some 30 Thomas Cook workers peacefully protesting at the company's Grafton Street premises in Dublin, Ireland.

Churches and civil society groups are urging the Namibian government to provide citizens with monthly basic income grants by raising taxes. They have called for a Basic Income Grant of 100 Namibian dollars (US$11) to alleviate poverty.

The Methodist Church in Britain has welcomed the Chancellor’s budget commitment today to provide work or training for under 25s who have been jobless for more than a year. It has also welcomed green pledges.

The Romanian Orthodox Church has condemned the formation of a trade union among its clergy, and has said that priests should follow church procedures in making demands and airing grievances. But the workers involved disagree.

It's too easy too blame the vulnerable for the failings of public services and the economy, says Savi Hensman. We need a new culture, and both faith groups and secular ones like trades unions can contribute.

A Christian group in Hong Kong has appealed for churches to show solidarity with hundreds of ironworkers who have been on strike for more than three weeks in what is reported to be the territory's longest-running industrial dispute for 30 years.