ASIA:  In 2003 Asian countries accounted for nearly 50 per cent of global asbestos consumption with China, (491,954 tonnes), India (192,033 t) Thailand (132,983 t), Vietnam (39,382 t) and Indonesia (32,284 t) being the largest users. Within the region, only Japan has stopped the use of asbestos.

The International Ban Asbestos Secretariat has published Killing the Future, a report on Asbestos Use in Asia, which documents the wide-spread use of deadly chrysotile asbestos in a range of industries across Asia, including shipbreaking in India and Bangladesh.

This new report highlights the work of asbestos victims' groups, pioneering non-governmental organizations, the trade unions and global union federations in the fight to expose the lethal industry lobby and to protect workers’ health. Photographs showing chaotic and hazardous working practices throughout Asia reveal that the reassurance of asbestos stakeholders that asbestos can be used safely under "controlled conditions" is a lie.

Author Laurie Kazan-Allen, Coordinator of the IBAS, says, "Millions of global asbestos victims have learned that when it comes to asbestos the polluter rarely pays; the real costs of using this toxic substance are borne by individuals, families, communities and countries. The best way to reduce the burden of asbestos-related disease is to ban asbestos; asbestos is yesterday’s material and should be relegated to the dustbin of discredited technologies and discarded materials."

For copies of the report, please contact the IMF at [email protected] or download a copy from the IMF website.

THAILAND: Thai Summit Eastern Seaboard Auto Parts Company, owned and controlled by Thai Summit Group has drawn fire from the International Metalworkers’ Federation, IMF affiliates, and the National Human Rights Commission in Thailand for committing trade union and human rights violations at their Rayong auto parts plant.

Rights violations at Thai Summit Eastern Seaboard Auto Parts Company include:

• the unjust dismissal of ten union members;
• obstruction of workers' right to freedom of association through threats, intimidation and harassment; and
• failure of the company to respect the right of workers to collectively bargain.

Workers at the plant are represented by the Ford & Mazda Thailand Workers’ Union.

Thai Summit Group, a leading auto parts manufacturer in Asia, is one of Ford Motor Company’s top selected suppliers. At the IMF Ford Working Group meeting in London on June 25-26, 2007, union delegates condemned management actions at Thai Auto Summit and called on Ford Motor Company to abide by its commitment to ensure that its suppliers fully respect worker and trade union rights.

In addition to international solidarity efforts, the union is taking action at the local level. On August 23, 2007, workers at the Ford and Mazda plant in Rayong refused to accept Thai Summit auto parts because the supplier did not meet Ford’s purchasing guidelines, halting production for a day.

In a letter to Thai Summit Group president, IMF general secretary Marcello Malentacchi called on the company “to ensure that Thai Summit Eastern Seaboard Auto Parts Company immediately reinstates the ten workers who were unjustly dismissed; ceases and desists from any further threats, harassment or intimidation of workers and union members; halts any further rights violations; and resumes negotiations in good faith to promptly reach a fair collective agreement with the union.”

The IMF is urging affiliates to send letters of protest to Thai Summit Group.

USA: Schweitzer-Mauduit paper mill in central New Jersey has invested $700,000 to change over from using deadly bulk chlorine to bleach their paper, to a safer process thanks to the United Steelworkers (USW).

The union’s success protects 240 members in the plant, and the surrounding communities where dangerous 90-ton railcars of chlorine rolled through town to the plant. According to the company’s own “worst case scenario” report to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a terrorist attack or major accident releasing the chlorine could have endangered up to 1.1 million people within a 14 mile radius.

Chlorine exposure burns the eyes and skin, and breathing chlorine can be fatal. The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory estimates that should a mass chlorine release take place in a populated area, up to 100,000 people could be killed or injured within the first 30 minutes.

Steve Green, President of USW local 1482 commented in the press that the union worked closely with community residents to push for safer technology in the plant. “Both the union and community had concerns. The union repeatedly urged the company to eliminate the hazard. Fortunately, they responded positively,” he said.

SOUTH AFRICA: The International Metalworkers' Federation hosted a regional workshop in South Africa in June to bring together African affiliates, trade experts and IMF secretariat and regional staff to discuss the impact of Chinese trade and investment in southern Africa.

The workshop's aim: to provide metalworker unions, especially those in SADC countries, with an opportunity to learn from experts about the reality of China's expansion, particularly, though not exclusively, in Africa; compare trade union experiences in different regions; and collect information on and analyse the fast growing Chinese presence in SADC countries with attention to the repercussions on the regional integration process and the impact of Chinese investments on employment, workers' rights and development.

The meeting served as an opportunity for trade union leaders in the region to share their experiences and better understand an increasingly complex situation of foreign investments and trade that have direct repercussions on the working and living conditions of their members.

Major points of discussion included:

• Violations of fundamental democratic rights – human, workers', and trade union rights in China and by Chinese investors abroad.
• Cross-sector and cross-regional strategies and case studies.
• Precarisation of employment conditions. Are Chinese employers accelerating this problem?

Delegates put forth the recommendation that affiliates must commit to organizing all kinds of casual workers for the survival of the trade union movement, recognizing that the increasing phenomenon of casualisation of work will erode their membership unless they are able to reach out to these workers.

BRAZIL:  From August 13 to 15, thousands of Brazilian metalworkers were in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, to fight for job security through the ratification of International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention No. 158.  During the protest the metalworkers also called for the implementation of a National Collective Agreement, the unification of the bargaining deadline in September and the establishment of a national minimum wage for metalworkers. The action was organised by Brazilian Metalworker's Confederation (CNM/CUT).

As part of the protest workers marched to the Brazilian Congress, National Industry Confederation, Work Ministry, ILO Office, Superior Court of Work and the Brazilian Supreme Court to deliver documents in support of their demands for job security. The ILO Convention No. 158, which concerns the termination of employment at the initiative of the employer, was approved in Brazil in 1995, but one year later, the convention was suspended after a claim made by the National Industry and Transport Confederations.  

The unions are seeking ratification of ILO Convention 158 to stop employers in Brazil from the widespread practice of turning over workers from one year to the next to reduce wage costs by re-employing workers on lower conditions than previously offered.

Prior to the action in Brasilia, Brazilian metalworkers held similar local protests at the offices of the employers' groups in the city of São Paulo, on June 27 and Belo Horizonte on July 25.

SOUTH AFRICA: On August 17, the National Metalworkers of South Africa reached agreement with seven car manufacturers, avoiding an industry-wide strike and winning substantial gains for workers.

The agreement covers approximately 15,000 autoworkers and includes:

• Wage increases for year 1 will be 9% ATB
• Wage increases for year 2 will be 8% ATB
• Wage increases for year 3 will be 7.5% ATB
• Improved benefits on Severance Pay, the establishment of an industry-wide Provident Fund, improved benefits on Maternity Leave, career pathing for the C02 welders and spray painters.
• The agreement also proposes that other matters such as the limitation on the work of Labour Brokers, the establishment of a Plant Task Team to consider the adverse effects and payment thereof in the event of a Short time or Lay-off, that the parties will negotiate these matters at plant-level.
• Provisions for the establishment of an Industry Policy Forum which will consider, the issue of black economic empowerment and benefits to members, this Policy Forum will also consider the issues of, HIV and  AIDS, a Social Plan to deal with issues of retrenchments and closures and the establishment of a Mega Bargaining Council.

NUMSA General Secretary, Silumko Nondwangu, said that both parties had skilful negotiators at the table and that he hopes to continue winning gains for NUMSA members in other industries.

“This is the second landmark agreement we have signed this year in our sectors which substantially improves conditions of employment and takes a long-term view to the continued growth of our sectors,” Nondwangu said, adding “NUMSA is not prepared this year to settle on anything that does not substantially improve conditions of employment. When we said at the beginning of the year that we will fight for a share of the windfall in profits, we meant business.”

AUSTRALIA: Cochlear Ltd., a world leading manufacturer of state-of-the-art hearing devices, is using Australia’s anti-union industrial relations laws to deny 260 workers at its Sydney manufacturing plant the right to be represented by their union, the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union.  

The AMWU has represented Cochlear workers for over a decade, delivering a high standard of wages and working conditions. This year Cochlear management initiated a union-busting campaign. Despite workers voting for a union-negotiated collective agreement in two separate secret ballots, the company has refused to bargain. Recently Cochlear management moved to use Australia's unfair workplace laws to force employees into a non-union agreement, conditions the workers have repeatedly rejected. These unfair working conditions will come into effect on the 6th of November.

As part of the global campaign to support Cochlear workers’ right to union representation, the International Metalworkers’ Federation, to which the AMWU is an affiliate, and Public Services International, which represents workers at clinics where Cochlear hearing devices are distributed, are urging affiliates to take action in one or more of the following ways:

• Unions should contact local clinics that distribute Cochlear hearing devices and urge them to press Cochlear to respect a worker’s right to union representation.
• Pass out flyers at local distribution clinics to educate the public about Cochlear’s refusal to honour its workers’ right to union representation.
• Employees at clinics that distribute Cochlear hearing devices can wear badges in solidarity with Cochlear manufacturing workers in Sydney and speak with management about the dispute.
• Send letters of support to Cochlear workers fighting for the right to union representation, and letters of protest to Cochlear CEO Chris Roberts.
• Publicise the campaign in your union publication and on your website.

The AMWU has prepared a list of all the locations where Cochlear hearing devices are distributed. It is available on the IMF website at: www.imfmetal.org/listenupcochlear Also available on the site are flyers, protest letters and other solidarity resources.

MEXICO: The international labour community is taking action against the murder of Reinaldo Hernandez González, a miner and member of the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores Mineros, Metalúrgicos y Similares de la República Mexicana (SNTMMSRM) who was fatally shot by hired thugs working for Grupo Mexico.

According to reports, on August 11, 2007, at 8:30 pm, about 90 workers who were unjustly dismissed by Grupo Mexico were holding a meeting near the La Caridad copper mine in Nacozari, Sonora, when several buses branding Grupo Mexico's logo ambushed the workers.

The SNTMMSRM reported that individuals from the company buses began throwing stones at the group of workers and a moment later gunshots were fired. Workers then tried to flee the area in vehicles only to be intercepted again by the company hired men. According to reports, it was during this second confrontation that gunshots were again fired, which is when the workers noticed that González had been fatally shot by a bullet to the forehead.

In local news papers the union noted that police were absent during the 2 hour long confrontation in which 20 workers were wounded and González was killed. The SNTMMSRM also reports that at least 15 SNTMMSRM members are currently being held by authorities and that there are reports of torture being used against some of the detainees.

Workers were meeting to discuss a recent court injunction ordering Grupo Mexico to reinstate them. The 90 or so workers were fired in June 2006 after holding a 46-day long strike demanding recognition of SNTMMSRM leader Napoleón Gómez Urrutia. Grupo Mexico fired all the workers, nullifying their collective agreement. Soon after, most workers, apart from the 90 strike leaders, were rehired on monthly contracts, with no union representation, previous benefits or worker protections.

The IMF sent a letter immediately to Mexican President Felipe Calderón and to the International Labour Organisation condemning the murder. "The international labour community has witnessed with shock and outrage an escalation in government and Grupo Mexico-sponsored violence and persecution of SNTMMSRM members," IMF general secretary Marcello Malentacchi said in the letter to the President Calderón. "The Mexican government cannot continue to ignore such gross human rights violations nor should it continue to protect and abet Grupo Mexico's criminal role in the assassination of González," Malentacchi added.

The IMF is calling on affiliates and unions around the world to send letters of protest to President Calderón and letters of support and solidarity to the SNTMMSRM.

Send letters to:

Felipe Calderón
President of Mexico
Presidencia de La Republica
Residencia Oficial de Los Pinos
Puerta Central
Mexico, DF 11850
Fax: +52 55 55 22 34 26
E-mail : [email protected]

Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores Mineros, Metalúrgicos y Similares de la República Mexicana (SNTMMSRM)
Calle Dr. José Maria Vertiz 668 Col Narvarte
03020 MEXICO D.F.
Fax: +52 55 5530 0036

RUSSIA: 300 workers of Togliatti auto-giant’s assembly workshops laid down tools on August 1. Their main demand — to raise wages up to 25,000 rubles ($1,000USD).

The demand to raise wages at AvtoVAZ were put forward some time ago, such a promise had been made by the pro-presidential party “United Russia” in its regional elections’ campaign. After the electoral victory the politicians forgot about the promise, but not workers.

AvtoVAZ is the largest automobile company in Russia which employs over 110,000 people and impacts the life of Togliatti, a city with a population of 700,000 people. The monthly wages at the plant, 7,000-10,000 rubles ($275- $393USD), is low even by generally modest Russian standards. Two years ago the plant was acquired by a state-owned company Rosoboronexport. Many in the city hoped that nationalization would bring about improvements. However, things have proved otherwise.

Rosoboronexport plans to attract a strategic investor. It is possible that this will be Magna, which already has an agreement to form a joint venture with AvtoVAZ. The current management of the company is actively increasing its “attractiveness” to foreign investors — getting rid of the social infrastructure, refusing to adjust wages, conducting scheduled layoffs and trying to push trade unionists out of the plant.

A pre-strike situation in the assembly workshops of AvtoVAZ has evolved sporadically, the workers have elected an independent strike committee. There are two unions acting in the plant — AutoSelhozMash (Automobile and Farm Machinery Workers' Union -AFW), an affiliate of the International Metalworkers’ Federation, and Edinstvo, which has applied for affiliation to IMF. The AFW did not support the strike, arguing that discussions with the employer were under way and the workers’ protests were politically inspired.

Management together with police and company security started to mount pressure on the strike committee. One of the committee’s members, Anton Vechkunin, was held under arrest for three days. The strike committee turned for help to chairman of Edinstvo, Petr Zolotarev. Edinstvo has provided necessary legal support to the strike action, and has helped to establish and keep the dialogue going with the company’s management.

GLOBAL: A new report, Corporate Social Responsibility in China’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT), has been released offering a close analysis of strategies for improving social and environmental conditions in the ITC sector in Shenzhen, China. Published by the Foreign Investment Advisory Service (FIAS) and Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), the report examines how suppliers, customers, governments and local NGO’s each contribute to the overall social and environmental health of the ITC sector and provides recommendations for improvements. Information is based on meetings with various government agencies in Shenzhen and Beijing, labour and environmental agencies, as well as the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU). Additionally, the report’s research team visited 15 suppliers and conducted additional interviews with six more suppliers after the mission. The report is available in English and Chinese and can be downloaded from the IMF website at: http://www.imfmetal.org/china