Sub Saharan organisations demand end to illicit financial flows

This was discussed at a regional workshop on IFFs in Accra, Ghana, 24-25 October, which was held with support from FES Ghana and attended by 30 participants from Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, and Zambia.

The participants were from IndustriALL Global Union and Public Service International affiliates, ITUC-Africa, and civil society organizations that included the Alternative Information Development Centre, Oxfam, Tax Justice Network Africa, and Third World Network Africa. Officials from Ghana’s ministry of finance participated in the workshop.

Discussions stated that close to $88.6 billion leaves the African continent yearly destined for tax havens in Panama, British Virgin Islands, Seychelles, and other countries mainly for the benefit of developed countries.

This huge financial loss is enough to finance nearly 50 per cent of the costs required to meet Sustainable Development Goals targets. Experts at the workshop said this has been confirmed by UNCTAD research which states that IFFs are multiple times more than the foreign direct investment inflows into the continent. 

Although the theme of the regional workshop was “Illicit financial flows in the gold mining sector in Ghana” it was mentioned that Ghana is not the only African country facing IFFs. Giving examples from case studies in Ghana, South Africa and other countries, the experts said IFFs often take the form of capital flight, tax evasion and avoidance, money laundering, concealing of assets, and commercial malpractices like mis-invoicing of trade shipments, and transfer pricing.

Criminal activities that include illegal markets, corruption, and theft for terrorism financing are also forms of IFFs. According to research, IFFs continue to drain much needed revenue from developing countries in Sub Saharan Africa that could otherwise be used to eradicate poverty, create decent jobs, reduce the high levels of unemployment, and contribute to industrialization. 

Additionally, the workshop discussed the importance of using the African Mining Vision (AMV), which outlines how mineral resources can be used for economic development, as one of the instruments to curb IFFs alongside other mineral governance initiatives. However, the AMV has not been domesticated by most countries with only Lesotho having developed a national mining vision. Most countries were also not enforcing their minerals and mining laws, and this allowed multinational companies to ignore tax and infrastructural development commitments in their mining licences.

Sani Baba, regional secretary, Public Service International and Arab Countries said:

“The current economic situation in Ghana, especially high inflation, and a depreciating currency, is taking a toll on workers and citizens. Government should take drastic measures, some of which include reducing the amount of tax incentives to multinational companies to raise adequate revenue to invest in health, education and infrastructure, and limit outsourcing of labour in the mining sector.”

“Greater participation and collaboration of key stakeholders in the gold and other mining sectors to clamp down on illicit financial flows and ensure the effective mobilisation of domestic revenue towards sustainable socio-economic development is required in Ghana. The strategies that we need must include the formalization of artisanal and small-scale mining through the creating of legal frameworks, beneficiation of minerals, including the refining of gold bars as this will create jobs and maximise returns on mineral wealth,” said Abdul-Moomin Gbana, the general secretary of the Ghana Mine Workers Union. He further emphasized the importance of the participation of local industries and an industrial policy framework that supported linkages to ensure value addition and the creation of decent jobs.

Glen Mpufane, IndustriALL director for mining says:

“Illicit financial flows is a scourge on the continent that deprive much needed economic benefit and development of the host country and it must be exposed for what it is, an act of criminality. A continental and regional campaign is needed to stop it.  The lost revenue could be used to ensure that trade and industrial policies address sustainable mining that benefits resource-rich African countries, and policies that include clauses on environmental protection, human rights, workers’ rights, and the rights of communities in the mining areas. The export of raw materials should also be replaced by value addition of the minerals on the supply chains as this creates and supports manufacturing industries.”

Sri Lankan workers struggle due to high inflation

Trade unions are demanding that the national minimum wage be increased to 26000 LKR (US$ 71) but the government has not budged.

Food inflation rose to 95 per cent in Sri Lanka in September while wages remain stagnant. In some factories, workers are being paid as low as 16000 LKR (US$ 44) which is the national minimum wage. Wages for migrant workers in free trade zones are insufficient to pay for housing. The ongoing wage crisis in the region has taken the worst form in Sri Lanka, which is yet to recover from an unprecedented economic crisis.

Before the crisis workers were able to stay afloat despite low wages because of overtime pay, attendance bonus, transport facility and other incentives; however, since these benefits were discontinued, the take-home pay has decreased drastically. Companies are citing low orders as a reason for taking away the incentives. 

Workshop participants made it clear that to overcome the challenges unions need to ensure a living wage by building union power on the ground and fighting for decent wages collectively. Unionists discussed mechanisms such as sectoral bargaining, global framework agreements and tripartite forums, that must be used effectively to campaign for a living wage. 

Global apparel brands’ representatives who were present at the roundtable held on 21 October to discuss the need for a living wage, shared that currently, the garment industry is operating in survival mode due to high inflation across the globe. 

Manufacturers in Sri Lanka are facing tough competition from other South Asian countries that are keeping prices low and acheiving on-time delivery. Brands assured that they will keep the factories running in Sri Lanka for workers to keep their jobs. 

Anton Marcus, joint secretary of IndustriALL affiliate Free Trade Zones & General Services Employees’ Union, says:

“Brands must fulfil their social responsibility by ensuring that orders are not stopped. If manufacturers cannot pay a 10000 LKR (US$ 27) Economic Relief Allowance to workers, then brands should support the manufacturers. This is the time to show solidarity with Sri Lankans.”

The necessity for an industry-wide change in the apparel industry to guarantee that workers receive decent wages was acknowledged by both unions and brands.

Apoorva Kaiwar, south Asia regional secretary of IndustriALL, said:

“Trade unions are clear that wages need to increase across the country and especially in the RMG sector which employs a large number of women workers, many of whom are single mothers. We need an industry-wide bargaining mechanism to achieve that. We call upon brands and manufacturers to engage with trade unions to discuss industry-wide wage bargaining in the apparel sector.”

Heidelberg needs to engage in social dialogue

For IndustriALL assistant general secretary Christine Olivier

“Network meetings provide a platform for sharing experiences, challenges, and brainstorming strategies.”

Olivier added that

“The cement industry is a major player in our economies, and it is one of the major contributors to CO2 emissions and has a high energy consumption which requires large pressures to change production methods and equipment. Trade unions are not opposed to changes but they cannot be done at the expense of workers.  It is our duty to make sure that workers are not paying the price for changes in any industry.  Transformation must take place in a just and socially responsible manner.” 

BWI general secretary Ambet Yuson said that the recent BWI Congress expressed support to Trade Union Networks in MNCs and urged Heidelberg Materials to finally engage in a constructive global dialogue that will recognize global unions as global partners.

“Multinational companies, talk the talk and they need to walk the walk. We will make sure that the shareholders of Heidelberg Materials hear the story of the workers and the number of unresolved issues if the management is not willing to listen to us. By signing an agreement with the BWI very recently, Argos Cement in Latin America has shown that it is possible and beneficial for both the company and the workers in the cement sector. We must take this campaign for social dialogue to the next level," 

said Yuson.

"We condemn the war on Ukraine. The energy crisis puts everyone at risk. We are in favour of a Just Transition and guarantees on fair agreements." was the message delivered on behalf of Tom Deleu, EFBWW general secretary.

Gerard Rijk from Profundo provided an overview of Heidelberg Materials and gave insights into the financial status of the company, its demographics, and the climate risks for the company.

The delegates gave an overview of the cement industry and the challenges they face in their respective countries. The overall sentiment was concern regarding the deaths at the company operations, the lack of women and youth, and the lack of social dialogue. 

All participants were adamant that the company needs to open dialogue with the respective unions and find ways to combat these challenges. Therefore, the meeting put emphasis on bringing the global campaign on Heidelberg Materials to the next level.

Alexander Ivanou, IndustriALL materials industries’ director said that

“Heidelberg recently removed ‘cement’ from its name and is likely to go through serious transformations that will impact workers and their jobs. Unfortunately, the company still turns a deaf ear to our invitation to establish a social dialogue at the global level and address workers’ concerns. Therefore, delegates gave us a clear mandate to take our campaign to the next level.”

The meeting was organized with the support of Friedrich Ebert Foundation FES.

We can’t achieve climate goals without carbon capture and storage (CCS)

Waste to energy with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) can provide end-treatment for unrecyclable waste, it removes CO2 from the atmosphere and produces local heat and electricity. But experts explained that the right framework and conditions are needed to roll out the technology.

There are a lot of emissions in European heavy industry, such as petrochemicals, iron and steel, and non-metal minerals, and – outside of green steel – few commercially viable ways to reduce these emissions. CCS is therefore an important solution for these hard to abate emissions. There is a lot of opportunity to develop CCS technology and Norway is one of the leading countries in the world investing in it.

“CO2 capture represents the largest market in the CCS value chain. It is important that we get the opportunities for emission cuts and transition jobs known”

said Are Tomasgård from LO Norway.

Scientific institutions in Norway have done research for unions about job creation and opportunities in CCS to create a comprehensive business plan. Employers’ organizations and unions have been working together to look at Just Transition through CCS.

The findings show that numbers are high when it comes to job creation in CCS, both in capture and, transportation of CO2 to the storage sites, and that CCS can help to keep existing jobs  in industry while reducing emissions. To unlock the potential for jobs, there is a need for investment and government support and focus on extending a full-scale project.

“Unions must make sure that the workers are organized. Know-how gives international potential. The full-scale project could contribute qualified technology, solutions and experience that would be beneficial on a global scale.”

Tomasgård continued.

Markus Hole from Celsio, an actor in the Norwegian Longship project, explained that the Longship is the Government’s full-scale carbon capture and storage project. It is the first ever cross-border, open-source CO2 transport and storage infrastructure network and would offer companies across Europe the opportunity to store their CO2 safely and permanently underground. 

“Phase one of the project will be completed in mid-2024 with a capacity of up to 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 per year.”

Said Hole.

Olav Øye from BELLONA, an environmental NGO that works together with Norwegian employers and trade unions to get solutions to climate change, explained that their recommendation on CCS is to

“create a legal framework and funding for CO2 transport and storage; capture and store emissions rather than shut down industries; and to not wait for green hydrogen until 2035 -start CCS now!”

There were several questions from participants on whether captured CO2 can be used for products or in industrial processes. Experts explained that research and pilot projects show promising results for CO2 use in synthetic fuels, chemicals, and building materials. However, not all uses of captured CO2 result in emissions reductions. It depends on how much energy is used to convert the CO2 to products amongst other factors. Life cycle evaluation of emissions is critical. 

Another concern especially coming from the global south and considering the large investment needed to enable the infrastructure for CCS large scale projects was how it appeals to smaller economies that are large emitters. In Africa where solar power is in abundance CCS has less appeal due to the significant investment needed and the existence of alternatives for energy generation.

Fossil fuel in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region is important due to the dependance of regional economies on the production and export of oil and gas. It provides lots of jobs and revenues. In Iraq more than 90 % of the country’s budget comes from oil and gas, at the same time MENA region is the most impacted by climate change from drought to water shortages, heat waves and damage to ecosystems.

“There have been some initiatives in the region to reduce emissions of CO2. This includes shifts to renewable energies and investment in CCS. Solar power is also of huge potential in the region. The reason CCS is so attractive for the Gulf States is because it would enable them to reduce emissions. The technology is especially interesting for the unions in the region because it would help to not shut down the industry immediately but clean it up as a first step.”

Said Ahmed Kamel, IndustriALL MENA regional secretary.

Under the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) there is federal funding to establish CCS hubs in different regions. In the Ohio Valley, a cluster of states, industrial actors, and unions including the United Steelworkers, USW, are working together to apply for funding to build a CCS and hydrogen complex to cut emissions from steel, mining, and coal fired power facilities.

USW also represent refinery workers in the USA, who are concerned about losing their jobs. There is substantial federal funding in the US for industrial projects that can reduce emissions. The USW are looking at how they can influence where some of these resources go to ensure that it deals with the refinery plants.

“EXXON and others have plans to build the world’s largest CCS facility in the Gulf of Mexico to capture emissions from refineries, chemicals plants, and oil depots. It will require a lot more funding even with the money that the government is providing since the infrastructure for it is huge. But overall unions are not seeing enough efforts to save jobs.”

Said Mike Smith from USW.

Significant progress needed in UN binding treaty negotiations

Cases of abuses of workers’ rights by companies are on the rise. According to ITUC Rights Index 113 countries exclude workers from their right to establish or join a trade union, up from 106 in 2021 to 113. 87 per cent of countries violated the right to strike and four in five countries blocked collective bargaining.
 
Pressure has been increasing for regulatory action to hold companies accountable for human rights abuses at national and regional levels with new legislation coming into force. Next week’s negotiations for a binding treaty will put the need for action to end corporate abuses of human and labour rights in the spotlight.
 
Global trade unions are calling for the following priorities to be strengthened:

Says IndustriALL assistant general secretary Kemal Özkan:

“The world cannot continue with the current abusive and exploitative business model in the global supply chains. We need immediate regulations, binding and enforceable, for a level playing field. These negotiations have been going on for years already; we cannot wait much longer. IndustriALL Global Union, together with ITUC and other global unions, will continue to fight for a binding treaty as per our Congress action plan.”

Caterpillar network on a mission to build global solidarity

This anti-union and aggressive behaviour has now reached a new level.  There are conflicts in almost every country which is present in the network.

Trade union representatives and shop stewards, at every level, are disrespected, this contempt sets a negative standard in the industry. This year, the network saw deteriorations in Northern Ireland and Japan, with a total disrespect for workers‘ rights in Northern Ireland and consequently strikes.   

At the same time, the global union network is becoming more effective when organizing solidarity activities and campaigns, these efforts were seen this summer when the company mistreated their workers in Northern Ireland. IndustriALL Global Union, the UAW, and the European Works Council (EWC) conducted solidarity activities within days to support Unite, IndustriALL’s affiliate who is present on-site.

Above these specific instances, participants discussed collective bargaining and working conditions in different countries. The varying management attitudes were of particular interest.

Thomas Weber, administrative assistant of the UAW vice president Charles (Chuck) Browning and his team addressed the network about the latest developments in the USA, at a corporate level, but also about the situation in UAW. At this stage, the different locals in the USA prepare for entering into negotiations with Caterpillar in the spring of 2023. This information session was done on behalf of the network chair, Charles Browning, who is UAW’s Vice President.

Among several topics, the shortages of semiconductors, within the company, are a major concern for the representatives. If the supply cannot be improved, some facilities will go into short-time work and/or simply cannot deliver the ordered machinery. The delegates also discussed the possibility of an in-person meeting of the union network next year. If possible, this could be held in a new setting, along with other company networks from the same sector. IndustriALL and UAW will discuss this possibility and develop proposals.  

IndustriALL’s assistant general secretary, Christine Olivier, addressed the network, introducing the latest discussions in IndustriALL regarding its position on social dialogue with Multinational Corporations.

"Caterpillar treats its employees with disrespect, and does not act in good faith, and this is evident at a majority of the international sites. We will fight back and the Caterpillar network will raise workers' voices and make sure corporate management will not overhear them,”

says Matthias Hartwich, IndustriALL director of mechanical engineering.

Deere network discusses future strategies

The network discussed the situation in the different countries, especially the question of supply chain interruptions, actual and past collective bargaining in the different regions, countries, and plants.

The core topic of this network was the implementation of better health and safety measures. In addition, the meeting also focused on ways to open a dialogue with the corporate management over the possible terms of future dialogue. The delegates’ discussion revolved around green technologies and the future of heavy machinery in farming and construction, with respect to electrification and/or hybrid systems.

The European delegation reminded other countries that it would be helpful to integrate the countries, in the network, that are not on board yet.

Thomas Weber, administrative assistant, agricultural implement department, and his team informed the network about the latest developments in the USA, at a corporate level, but also about the situation in UAW. They also emphasized what they called the Striketober, the October 2021 strike, when many sites in the USA, namely in Agricultural Implement, especially at Deere, went on strike. Thomas delivered this address on behalf of the network chair, Charles Browning, UAW’s Vice President.

One of the many concerns that attendees had was how high global inflation rates were having an impact on ordinary workers’ purchasing power.

IndustriALL’s assistant general secretary, Christine Olivier, addressed the network, introducing the latest discussions in IndustriALL regarding its position on social dialogue with multinational corporations.

All participants agreed that it is important to further grow this network and that close cooperation with similar USA-located companies, namely Caterpillar and CNH, was instrumental. In addition, the network members proposed that the next network meeting possibly be held in person. Representatives reminded the meeting that all participating trade unions should strengthen the role of women in the sector, within the company, and in the network.

“Our sector, the agricultural implement segment of mechanical engineering, is a showcase of the double challenge that workers and trade unions are facing today: the greening of machinery and equipment as well as the greening of production patterns. This goes hand in hand with digitalization. Both developments require even better networking among the trade unions. We have to coordinate our efforts to make sure that this transition is a just transition. IndustriALL will do its best to pilot our affiliates through these changes,”

says Matthias Hartwich, IndustriALL director of mechanical engineering.

Launch of trade union guide of practice for a Just Transition

These are some of the critical issues raised during the online webinar on 18 October to launch A trade union guide of practice for a Just Transition. The webinar was attended by 82 union representatives from 51 countries representing the sectors that IndustriALL Global Union affiliates organize.

The guide aims to assist trade unions in developing frameworks that can be used in Just Transition plans and campaigns to protect workers who will be adversely impacted by the transition not only from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources but by the introduction of new technologies. The guide considers contexts and realities in the Global North where automotive and steel manufacturing jobs will be lost, and the Global South where jobs will become more precarious with most workers earning poverty wages.

Kan Matsuzaki, IndustriALL assistant general secretary, said:

“Just Transition poses a challenge for trade unions in terms of job losses, but this should be seen also as an opportunity for job creation in renewable energy industries, automation, and digitalization including in the electronics and automotive sectors. This means trade unions must continue to demand secure jobs especially for young workers, and campaign for sustainable economies. This guide is a must read for unions as they formulate strategies and plans for the Just Transition.”

Speakers at the launch said the frameworks should be informed by ILO guidelines on the Just Transition, international labour standards, the decent work agenda, and the trade union demands including those made at conferences like COP 26. Emphasis was put on including the gains made through collective agreements and social dialogue processes.

The guide of practice is a toolbox of ideas that can be adopted by the unions and “pro-workers' supporters” that include communities, civil society organizations and other organizations that are part of alliances, networks, and movements that support a Just Transition. The guide has two sections on the current economic and political context; and steps that unions can follow in building strategies and plans to achieve the transition on workers' terms.

The guide is anchored on five principles: a high bar transition, creation of decent jobs, social dialogue, creation of permanent institutions for a Just transition, and affordable energy. Addressing gender-inequality and ending poverty are also described as key to the transition.

“We seek a transformative high bar Just Transition which ensures quality jobs for all workers effected by decarbonization […] A Just Transition process of decarbonization must be the vehicle to transform the economic relationships between capital and workers, as well as lead to a broad societal transformation that, among other things, brings about just and sustainable energy generation.”

The guide can be used for workers education specially to build the capacity of shop stewards and is complete with implementation and monitoring tools for social dialogue, examples of what should be included in Just Transition agreements and recommendations on the type of government organizations that can be set up. The sample indicators, timelines, and checklists are useful for trade union education while the appendix provides samples on what to include in Just Transition agreements.

The guide includes workers’ voices from IndustriALL affiliates as it includes information collected during the research phase through a questionnaire, online meetings, and interviews. Data collection for the guide also included information from IndustriALL energy networks in the Middle East and North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Jonathan Tasini, the guide’s author said:

“Unions need to immediately start the engagement with the employers and governments and develop long term strategies and plans for 20-30 years.”

“A Just Transition is about social justice, decent working conditions, and better livelihoods for workers and their families as well as for communities and these are the key messages in the guide.

“The time to act is now. Unions must not wait for the changes to happen before taking decisive action,”

said Diana Junquera Curiel, IndustriALL energy director.

The guide, published by IndustriALL with support from the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, is available in English, French and Spanish.

Social protection in action in Bangladesh

Social protection is a recognized fundamental human right and could include sick pay, unemployment benefit and injury insurance. The pandemic brought home the precariousness of the garment industry’s production model, as millions of workers in countries with no safety net were left without pay as the industry came to an abrupt halt.

The EIS, which involves the ILO, the government, brands, workers and employers, is a social protection scheme including compensation for medical treatment and rehabilitation services, as well as income loss caused by occupational injuries and disease. It’s a pilot project which will initially run for three years, with seven brands and around 150 garment factories participating.
 
The webinar on 18 October, aimed primarily at institutional investors interested in working towards a more sustainable garment industry built on respect for workers’ fundamental rights, explored why garment and textile brands participate, their role in funding it and the need for their continued involvement in the development of sustainable employment injury insurance.

“The non-payment of wages due to cancellation of orders during the pandemic led to deepening poverty for millions of global supply chain workers because of a fundamental lack of social protection. In several cases, this triggered large-scale protests and brought not only operational, legal and financial risks for sourcing brands, but also reputational damage for some due to their being accused of wage theft,“

said capital stewardship advisor Liz Umlas.
 
Anne Marie La Rosa from the ILO stressed that this important pilot is a vehicle to bring change to the garment industry.

“The brands have a big footprint in Bangladesh. If we can get the model to work and get everyone around the table – government, unions, the industry – this can be expanded to other countries.”

Garment brands H&M and Primark participated on the panel and gave their views on why they decided to develop and support the pilot. In their comments, H&M and Primark called on other brands to participate in the EIS, and noted that while environmental issues seem to be on investors' radar, social issues are much less so, and social protection in particular is never raised by investors.

“This is an important first step in developing a strong social safety net for the workers, but more brands need to join to make the pilot sustainable. It is important that we share the responsibility for a sustainable garment industry,”

said Christina Hajagos-Clausen, IndustriALL textile and garment director.

Participating brands to date are Amer Sports, Bestseller, Fast Retailing, the H&M Group, KiK, Primark and Tchibo. In a letter sent out earlier this month, IndustriALL is calling on more than 40 brands sourcing from Bangladesh to support the scheme.

The webinar is part of IndustriALL’s larger initiative on social protection for garment workers, following on an earlier event in June, where workers from Thailand provided testimony about the impact of wage theft on their lives.
 
 
 
 
 

Ship recycling: urgent action needed to ensure that all workers are safe at work!

Following the tragic death of two workers at the Simsekler ship recycling facility in Turkey, which resulted in the facility’s removal from the EU’s List of Ship Recycling Facilities, industriAll European Trade Union and IndustriALL Global Union have been in discussions with the European Commission as to how improve occupational health and safety standards in ship recycling yards across the globe, stressing that strong trade unions are essential to ensure  good health and safety practices.

The global shipbreaking sector, part of the ship recycling process, is known for being extremely dangerous with precarious working conditions, poverty wages, little training and a lack of safety equipment and access to medical services, as highlighted in IndustriALL Global Union’s special report. Unfortunately, fatalities in this sector are not uncommon, and as well as the two previously mentioned incidents in Turkey, there are real concerns about working conditions in Bangladesh, with more than 20 serious accidents and six fatalities in 2022 so far. Trade unions call for urgent action to prevent accidents and improve working conditions in ship recycling yards across the world.

The EU has strict standards in place via the European Ship Recycling Regulation and the EU List of Ship Recycling Facilities, with European policy makers keen to use these tools to improve working conditions and increase the environmental standards of ship recycling facilities across the world. With both items currently under review, industriAll Europe and IndustriALL Global Union took the opportunity to respond to the consultations and meet with the European Commission to highlight the experience of workers on the ground and to insist that freedom of association, strong trade unions, and quality social dialogue are all needed to ensure that workers are safe at work. Trade unions can monitor compliance with regulations from the ground up, change the working practices of members, and challenge unsafe work.

The aims of the EU Ship Recycling Regulation to prevent, reduce and minimise accidents, injuries and other negative effects on human health and the environment during the shipbreaking/recycling process are supported by trade unions. The EU’s Regulation also aims to help ratify the International Maritime Organisation’s Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, of which IndustriALL Global Union has been a long-time supporter.

With the demand for ship recycling set to increase dramatically in the near future, and almost 90 per cent of shipbreaking (gross tonnage) taking place in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, investment is needed to ensure that current global facilities are up to scratch. This should entail social partners and national authorities developing roadmaps to prepare for increased demand in ship recycling, while meeting all the criteria set out in the Hong Kong Convention and the EU’s Regulation.

Kan Matsuzaki, IndustriALL Global assistant general secretary, said:

“IndustriALL Global Union’s priority is for the Hong Kong Convention to come into force. The next year is critical for this. It will introduce a basic global standard for safe and environmentally sound ship recycling. The EU Regulations complement the Convention, and it’s important that workers’ voices are heard during the review process. Our vision is for a thriving industry that provides ship recycling to a high standard, with quality and safe union jobs. The key to success is a globally recognized minimum standard, plus social dialogue with unions.”

Judith Kirton-Darling, industriAll Europe deputy general secretary:

“The removal of two Turkish ship recycling yards from the EU’s 10th review of the EU List of Ship Recycling Facilities is a failure for all the partners involved. We urgently need to improve the health and safety standards of these yards and help more yards, both in Europe and abroad, to recycle ships in a clean and safe manner. The circular economy plays an important role in a ship’s lifecycle, and we must fully utilise these precious secondary raw materials while also protecting workers at these sites.’