Philippines must recognize international labour rights

Since 2019, unions in the Philippines, including IndustriALL affiliates, have called on the ILO to conduct a high-level tripartite mission to investigate serious violations of workers’ rights related to freedom of association, the right to organize and collective bargaining.

A joint union report with emotional testimonies on harassment and other forms of violence was formally accepted by the high-level mission at the opening of the dialogue.

Among the violations are extra-judicial killings, intimidation and harassment by state security forces, abduction, widespread red tagging of trade unions and unionists, among others.

Dandy Miguel, president of Fuji workers union, was gunned down on his way home from work by unknown men in March, 2021.

Members of the Nexperia workers’ union have been visited thirteen times by local police, forcing them to disaffiliate from their federation.

“The ILO mission is paving the way to unify the fragmented trade union movement, with high hopes to stop the killings, illegal detention and red tagging. We also expect improved enforcement of labour laws and adherence to core labour standards, particularly ILO Convention 87 and 98 so workers can organize freely, which will increase unionization in the country,”

says Ludy Casana, TF2-KD president.

Concluding the mission, emphasis was put on the fact that the cases are serious but there has been little policy and/or legislative action taken to effectively address the concerns of ILO’s Committee of Application of Standards (CAS). A genuine tripartite cooperation to address concerns and risks is needed.

It was observed that a mindset has been created, linking parts of the union movement to the insurgency without due process, and military and police still interfere in union activities and labour relations. The mission recommended that action driven by the President is essential for genuine progress, taking into account increased coordination and consistency across varying arms of government to better safeguard against the threats to freedom of association.

The mission reiterated that the joint implementation report by the tripartite partners should be made available prior to this year’s International Labour Conference.

“It has taken three years for the government of the Philippines to accept this important ILO mission to investigate cases of violation of fundamental workers’ rights. Workers and unions in the Philippines are in a difficult situation and we welcome the mission, which puts a spotlight on the violations and in doing so can lead to a change,”

says IndustriALL southeast Asia regional secretary Shinya Iwai.

Rieter India workers on strike

Rieter India Employees Federation (RIEF), a member of Shramik Ekta Manhasangh, an IndustriALL affiliate, has been repeatedly raising concerns about the company’s unfair labour practices such as employing a large number of contract workers without proper training in perennial jobs, thereby undermining the safety of all the workers. Rieter India is a Swiss company subsidiary which manufactures textile machinery.

The union filed a complaint with the labour department regarding the unlawful employment of contract workers which directed an inspection of the company. Since then, management has been threatening the union’s office bearers with suspension, transfer, and termination if the union does not withdraw the cases. In an attempt to weaken the union, seven union leaders, including the general secretary and the president, were transferred, under the pretence of training, to different far-off places.

Management continues to harass workers, threatening to revoke the wage raise which was granted after the union filed a complaint in court regarding the same issue. Management has been demanding an increase in productivity without conducting scientific research or making any improvements to the production process to increase production.

Additionally, Rieter India has refused to recognise RIEF, which the union has challenged in court and the case is pending.

The management has refuted all charges made by the union and workers by mis-stating and misinterpreting the law applicable to unions in India. Though the union has followed all legal provisions, the management has issued advertisements to hire contract workers, in place of the striking permanent workers, which is an illegal act.

Dilip Pawar, president of Shramik Ekta Mahasangh, says:

“Rieter India's board chairman wrote to us stating that the company is not aware of any unfair labour practice and that local management has the authority and their full support to prevent any strike action by the union which they don’t recognise, and that union members will be fully responsible for tarnishing company’s reputation. This is unacceptable and we will not tolerate it.”

Atle Høie, general secretary of IndustriALL says:

“IndustriALL Global Union expresses solidarity with the workers at Rieter India Ltd. We will continue to support the Rieter India Employees Federation in the struggle towards obtaining union recognition, and decent health and safety conditions in the workplace.”

Democracy must be returned to Myanmar

The situation for workers in Myanmar drastically deteriorated after the military coup in February 2021. Most unions are now banned, and many workers who were once protected by collective agreements have been fired and replaced by casual workers with no rights.

After the coup, the military started cracking down on unions and its members, with violent attacks and arrests.

Currently, more than 60 trade unionists are imprisoned on trumped up charges, who must be immediately released.

Investments have long-term impacts on labour rights. In September 2021, IndustriALL launched a disinvestment campaign, calling on all companies operating there to cease operations and place no new orders.

Writing to all companies in the sectors we represent operating in Myanmar, emphasis was put on the fact that due diligence is not possible in a country ruled by a military regime and where unions cannot operate. Some companies did pull out early, among them are Total, Chevron, Woodside, Telenor, Tesco, Benetton, Aldi South, C&A.

Towards the end of last year, discussions on a responsible exit from the country began with a number of garment brands, and several brands, including Primark and New Look, have stopped placing new orders Myanmar.

“In some sense there is progress,” says IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie. “But the military is still unlawfully in power in Myanmar and continues to violate human and workers’ rights, so we need to keep up the pressure.”

The global unions are calling for an unequivocal recognition of the credentials of Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) at international and national levels as the one and true democratic government of the Myanmar people.

“By recognising the NUG, we safeguard the human and trade union rights of Myanmar’s working people, and once and for all, put an end to the military junta’s brutal dictatorship and false representation of the country before the international community.”

(Global union statement, October 2022)

One year after the military coup, the global trade union movement pledged not to rest until power is returned to the people.

Says Atle Høie, IndustriALL general secretary:

“Another year has passed where the people of Myanmar continue to pay a high price at the hands of the violent military junta. This anniversary, join us reiterating the call that democracy must be returned to Myanmar.”

Battery manufacturing pact stimulant for decent jobs in Africa

The agreement, signed late last year, is to promote the development of an electric vehicle value chain from mining, refinery, battery cell and battery pack manufacturing, up to the end user. Signatories will conduct feasibility studies, provide technical assistance, and the US will promote the initiative among the US private sector and investors.

Unions say the agreement is aligned to union campaigns for mineral resources to be used for industrialization and economic development which comes with opportunities for the creation of decent jobs. Through the African industrialization campaigns and mining network meetings, unions have repeatedly emphasized the need for the domestication of the African Mining Vision which calls for: “Transparent, equitable, and optimal exploitation of mineral resources to underpin broad-based sustainable growth and socio-economic development.”

The DRC produces over 70 per cent of the world’s cobalt, while Zambia is Africa’s second largest producer. In the DRC, cobalt is mined by large scale mining companies as well as artisanal small-scale miners. Other minerals found in the two countries that can be used in electric vehicle battery manufacturing include copper, lithium, manganese, and nickel.

The agreement aims to promote the “development of a cross-border integrated value chain for the production of EV batteries, leading to increased awareness of investment opportunities and the identification of potential co-financing opportunities for electric vehicle value chain-related investments.”

Glen Mpufane, IndustriALL director for mining says:

“This agreement speaks to some of the envisaged decarbonisation pathways as the world shifts from fossil fuels to renewable energy. However, trade union demands on decent work remain. We want decent jobs to be created in the electric vehicle supply chain. Additionally, the rights at work must be protected according to international labour standards, and there must be social protection and social dialogue. The cooperation must include a human rights due diligence approach and the promotion of gender equality in the supply chain.”

The agreement promotes the development of the clean energy sector through reduction of carbon emissions and supports the Paris Agreement goal to keep global warming below 2 degrees. Further, the agreement commits to adhere to UN conventions against corruption as well as domestic laws and international standards.

At a meeting on battery supply chains in Johannesburg in 2022, unions from Botswana, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, South Africa, and Zambia agreed to map companies that were part of the electric vehicle value chain in their countries as one of the ways to build union capacity on organizing and recruitment in this sector.

Unions demand justice for 42 miners killed in Turkey

In a joint mission to the region, IndustriALL Global Union assistant general secretary Kemal Özkan and IndustriAll Europe general secretary Luc Triangle met with branch and local trade union representatives.

A fire is still raging underground, and efforts are made to extinguish it and restart coal production. IndustriALL Global and Europe met with the new mine management to discuss the situation; workers and the people of Amasra want the mine to re-open and for life to return to normal.

They also met with the mayor of Amasra for a better understanding of what assistance is put in place for the families of the killed miners.

Özkan and Triangle visited the family of one the killed miners, Ridvan Acet, and conveyed the condolences of both organizations.

“It is the duty of the trade union movement to commemorate our lost fellow miners and to protect their rights. We came here to show our solidarity and express our readiness to work together to prevent future accidents. We will do our best to ensure that mine workers can work in healthy and safe conditions,”

said Kemal Özkan.

Public opinion in Turkey is that the explosion “was not an accident, but a homicide”. A special inquiry commission has visited the region and is expected to publish a report in the coming days.

The prosecutor is asking for between 16 months to 1,062 years for two crimes for the 19 suspects, four of whom are imprisoned, including the manager of the mine. The charge is "causing death and injury to more than one person by conscious negligence."

In the indictment, the prosecutor revealed that a series of omissions caused the explosion. It also states that management knew that the chimney ventilator was insufficiently cleaned but took no precautions, which led to the explosion.

The indictment also states that the methane gas values exceeded the 1 per cent warning level 85 times, and 1.5 per cent warning level five times. The carbon monoxide values exceeded the 25 ppm warning level 47 times and the 50 ppm warning level 13 times.

“We are here to join the demand for justice. The International and European union movement, public opinion and the families of victims want to know why these 42 miners were killed. We will continue to follow this case closely. Every mine worker has the right to return home healthy and safe,”

said Luc Triangle.

IndustriALL Global and IndustriAll Europe also met with the representative union in the mine, General Mine Workes’ Union (Genel Maden-Is), and vowed to continue to monitor the judiciary process and organize joint activities with the union on health and safety, as well as a just transition for the coal production sector.

Trade unions urge ILO to intervene in Algeria

The Algerian government has submitted amendments to law 90/14, which are due to be adopted by Parliament in the next few days. Independent unions have not been consulted by the government, and the changes will have a harsh impact on trade union rights.

Global unions – IndustriALL, PSI and IUF – together with Algerian unions Confédération syndicale des forces productives (COSYFOP), Confédération générale autonome des travailleurs en Algérie (CGATA), and Syndicat national autonome des travailleurs de l’électricité et du gaz (SNATEG) have sent a joint letter to the ILO calling for their urgent intervention.

The proposed amendments will significantly impact union activities like unions being able to belong to political parties; giving the government the right to refuse union registration without the opportunity to appeal; preventing unions from investing their income or buying real-estate; restrictions of affiliation to international organizations etc. The list is long and makes it impossible for independent unions to operate in Algeria.

“This is the second time in less than a year that the Algerian government is modifying legislation that impacts trade union activity with absolutely no involvement and consultation of unions,”

says Raouf Mellal, SNATEGS.

Since 2019, Algeria’s government has increased repression of trade union rights, making it difficult to organize and to carry out trade union activities. Courts continue to use terrorism charges to prosecute and detain activists from all parts of civil society.

The letter signed by IndustriALL, IUF and PSI says:

“We call on the ILO to intervene very quickly with the Algerian government to suspend the modification of legislation 90/14. The ILO must urge the Algerian government to involve all trade union organizations in a consultation process if it is truly determined to respect its international commitments and to apply the recommendations and resolutions of the ILO supervisory bodies.”

Unions in MENA demand a Just Transition

Mark Hagen, from German union DGB provided context for the urgency of Just Transition.

“Union input and leadership are essential for a Just Transition given climate change and the technological transformation. This is a fight for the livelihoods of workers and their communities and their children’s lives,”

said Mark.

Climate change in the MENA region affects sectors like agriculture, tourism, health, governance, and infrastructure. Heat waves in the region influence production, which impacts workers and their incomes. Greenhouse gasses need to be reduced, and trade unions should be part of these conversations to mitigate the effect on workers.

For a Just Transition unions must focus on social dialogue, building power, as an active approach will make things better for workers. Many sectors will require restructuring and it will influence workers, their rights and needs.

According to many participants, the lack of social dialogue is a huge hinderance to negotiations and debate on energy transition. Participants discussed issues of the countries’ different financial and technical capabilities, indicating that transitions may be unfair on countries who are more disadvantaged than others.

The rights and needs of workers should be at the center of any Just Transition conversation. If changes are not done with workers’ economic activity in mind,
the transition is not just.

Participants raised the issue of governments ignoring dialogue on the subject. Hashmeya Alsaadawi, IndustriALL’s vice president, painted a dusty picture of the Iraqi energy transition.

“Emissions from the excessive use of cars, polluting factory waste, and private oil-powered generators has led to global warming, damaged vegetation and development of constant sandstorms”

Ahmed Kamel, IndustriALL regional secretary, said:

“We need a clear path, and we need to have this dialogue. For that, we need education and training and improving the capacity of our affiliates to address Just Transition.”

Kemal Özkan IndustriALL’ assistant general secretary, said.

“Our job is to enhance the collective power for a Just Transition – we can’t leave it to the employers. Unions are a strong party and can negotiate and adapt to all situations.”

A regional working group comprising of affiliates, union leaders from the region, IndustriALL secretariat and experts, was set up. The group will draft a regional action plan on Just Transition for the period to come.

French unions keep fighting pension reforms

In addition to adding two years to the pension age, reform proposed by the government also scrapes the special regimes which makes provision for some workers, mostly in the public sector, to retire early.

Unions are highly critical of the reform, saying that it is unacceptable as it does not take the interests of the people into consideration.

A joint union petition has so far received more than 600,000 signatures. In a joint union statement, the unions have declared they want government to abandon the retirement age of 64 as well as the increase in the contribution period. Unions demand that there are other solutions which are just being dismissed. IndustiALL affiliates in CFDT, CGT, FO, CFE-CGC, CFTC are included in this joint statement.

IndustriALL general secretary, Atle Høie, states:

“We support our affiliates in their fight for workers’ pension and rights. We stand in support of our affiliates who are calling for the removal of this unjust reform.”

Korea: union offices raided

On 18 January, the NIS and the national police of Korea raided the office of the KCTU for 10 hours, alleging that two KCTU members from Korean Metal Workers Union (KMWU) and Korean Health and Medical Workers’ Union (KHMWU) violated the National Security Act.

The KCTU central executive committee members held a press conference on 19 January 2023, in protest of the raid. The very next day, 20 January, dozens of NIS agents raided the 13th floor of the KCTU head office building for hours.

Through loudspeakers, the police addressed people in the streets saying that the search and seizure were underway at the KCTU for violating the National Security Law. The contents of the warrant are also being circulated through the local media.

These attacks are happening under the newly elected Korean president, from the conservative People’s Power Party, Yoon Suk-Yeol. Yoon has taken a hard line towards trade unions. He recently turned down the demands for a minimum freight rate from 25,000 truckers, members of the Cargo Truckers Solidarity Union, Yoon issued an order instructing truckers to return to work.

KCTU have criticized the use of the draconian law and question this high-profile smear campaign, aided by hundreds police officers, intelligence officers and the use of unnecessary firefighters' equipment. One thousand police officers were deployed nation-wide to investigate the alleged security breach.

“it is devastating to see a democracy that has been built up for decades being trampled upon by a democratically elected president. The United Nations human rights bodies have repeatedly recommended that the government repeal the law. This hyper-publicised NIS operation was not only disproportionate but also intended to intimidate the trade union movement.”

said KCTU president YANG, Kyeung-Soo

“IndustriALL Global Union calls on the Korean president to stop the intimidation against democratic unions in Korea. we urge president Yoon to focus on the unions’ demand on labour law reform”

said Atle Høie, IndustriALL general secretary.

Organizing is our key to changing the balance of power

"Building strong unions is our key to changing the balance of power. And changing the balance of power is the only path towards a just society"

says Atle Høie IndustriALL general secretary

Every year for the past ten years, the charity Oxfam has released a report on growing income inequality to coincide with the Davos meeting. The report always shows the rich getting richer, and the concentration of wealth getting tighter, while wages and public services are squeezed for everyone else.

This year, the report finds that the richest one per cent have pocketed $26 trillion of the new wealth created since the start of the pandemic. 63 per cent of all new wealth has gone to the one per cent, leaving the rest to be shared, unequally, among everyone else.

This would be perverse even at the best of times – but against the backdrop of the climate crisis, war, a cost of living crisis caused by out of control inflation, rising pension ages, collapsing public services and a global recession, it is obscene.

Every year, there is anguished comment about growing inequality, with politicians on both the right and the left promising change. And yet every year, inequality grows.

We need to recognize that no one is coming to save us. And we need to remember that ultimately, all wealth is created by workers. To change the balance of power and the distribution of wealth, we need to organize.

Despite the bleak headlines, there are many examples of IndustriALL affiliates – from the UK to Turkey and India and everywhere in between – winning for workers. We need many more victories like these.

Organizing must be a priority for all us, and building union density is one of IndustriALL’s building blocks for a just future. This means recruiting many more new members, but it also means being strategic about where we put our resources and build our structures.

We need to increase our density at key employers and sectors. The more members we have at a workplace, the stronger our negotiating position, the better settlements we can win. And winning good collective agreements sets a precedent which drives up conditions across the economy. Ultimately, the more workers we bring under the umbrella of collective agreements, the better for everyone.

We need to build strong and responsive union committees at workplace level, with reps who are able to respond effectively to the everyday needs of members. And we need to recognize that the economy is in a constant state of change, and not just rely on sectors where we have been traditionally strong – we need to branch out into new sectors and recruit workers we may have neglected in the past.

For some principles on winning good organizing campaigns, please see our publication Organizing with IndustriALL.

Build strong unions. Organize globally. Confront global capital, and shift the balance in favour of workers.