Italian unions negotiate a Just Transition agreement with ENI
ENI and Filctem Cgil, Femca Cisl, Uiltec Uil have agreed on a protocol to serve as a framework for discussions on the effects on human resources of ENI’s new business structure, as the company prepares to significantly reduce its carbon footprint in the next 30 years.
The objective of the protocol is to share and govern the challenge of energy transition through a anticipatory and inclusive model that looks at both economic and social sustainability, and puts work at the centre; the only way to make the transition socially acceptable and to preserve jobs.
“This protocol reinforces the participatory paths of industrial relations, which are essential to govern the effects of the current health emergency and to manage a sustainable energy transition. It is needed to safeguard existing jobs and prepare the 'new work' and the workers of the future,”
says Nora Garofalo, FEMCA CISL general secretary.
The changes require a social dialogue model characterized by preliminary consultation. At national level there will be a joint strategy committee that meets twice a year, a health and safety committee that meets four times a year, and a welfare committee to discuss and promote the possibility of additional measures to support and assist workers and their families.
At international level, the follow up will be done through the global monitoring committee of the Global Framework Agreement, the European works council, and the European observatory for health, safety and environment, which meet annually.
Antonio Pepe, Filctem Cgil secretary for the energy sector, says:
“The new industrial relations protocol at ENI is a constructive tool for tackling the energy transition and ensuring environmental, social and economic sustainability. This is a challenge, and we will hold the company to account.”
The protocol also covers the digital transformation, giving people a leading role in the move to new ways of working. It regulates contractors and subcontractors, promotes and ensures health and safety in the workplace, bans forced labour, and safeguards freedom of association and collective bargaining.
"This protocol is important, because together with the company we will be able to tackle the long and challenging journey of change,”
says Paolo Pirani, UILTEC UIL, general secretary.
IndustriALL energy director Diana Junquera Curiel says:
“We congratulate our affiliates for reaching an agreement that ensures ongoing communication and negotiation between the social partners during the change process, thus enabling a Just Transition for workers.
“The agreement can serve as an example for many other unions and companies in different countries and sectors. Various parts can be adapted for a the global level, which undoubtedly enriches the global framework agreement IndustriALL has signed with ENI.”
28 killed in illegal Moroccan garment factory
According to IndustriALL affiliates in Morocco, more than 130 people were employed in the illegal factory in inhuman conditions, not meeting the minimum requirements for health and safety and decent work.
Moroccan trade union centers Union Marocaine du travail (UMT) and the Confédération démocratique du travail (CDT), are holding authorities and employers responsible for this avoidable tragedy, saying that there is a general acceptance of the exploitation of workers and violations of working conditions in order to accumulate wealth.
Ahmed Hassoun, general secretary of IndustriALL Moroccan affiliate Syndicat National de Textile Habillements et Cuirs – SNTHC-CDT, says:
"This tragedy brings back the memory of the 2008 disaster when a mattress factory burned down, killing 56 workers and wounding 17 more. We deplore the greed of employers and their urge to cover up violations that undermine workers' rights, and we call for accountability."
Moroccan unions are demanding an urgent investigation into this human and social tragedy, clarifying where responsibilities lie, setting up compensation for the victims’ families, as well as taking the necessary decisions to prevent the recurrence of further tragedies and to safeguard the rights, lives and dignity of workers. Those responsible need to be held accountable and brought to justice.
IndustriALL general secretary Valter Sanches says:
“This is an unacceptable tragedy where workers at the bottom of the supply chain yet again pay the prize for cheap production. The garment industry must be made safe for the people who contribute to its enormous output. IndustriALL stands in solidarity with the victims and their families.”
Global unions ramp up pressure on governments and corporations to isolate Myanmar military junta
We urge trade unions and workers around the world to organise, unite and stand with the people of Myanmar and isolate the Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and other military leaders responsible for the coup.
In line with the global union’s vow to confront global forces that work against the interests of working people, leaders of the global union movement today:
Call on the UN Security Council to impose sanctions against the military leaders responsible for the coup, Sanctions must also target economic capital which provide the military with its revenue
Call on the UN Security Council to impose a global arms embargo on Myanmar
Call on the European Union to cancel Myanmar's Everything But Arms (EBA) preferential trade status
Call on international companies operating in Myanmar to end any direct or indirect business relationships or financial ties to military-owned businesses (details can be found in the UN Human Rights Council report on economic interest of the Myanmar military) and to use their leverage to secure the release of detainees, restore democratic institutions, and guarantee the human and labour rights of all Myanmar workers. This must include international companies providing support to workers where operations are curtailed, including protection to workers protesting the coup.
We call on our affiliated unions worldwide to support the measures outlined above and to:
Exert pressure on their national governments to demand that the Myanmar military rescind the state of emergency, immediately release all political figures and activists, defend the Myanmar people’s right to choose their leaders, and remove limits on freedom of expression, assembly and association.
Urge all companies they hold relationships with that operate or invest in Myanmar to end their commercial ties with the Myanmar military and use their leverage to secure the release of detainees, restore democratic institutions, and guarantee the human and labour rights of all Myanmar workers. This must include international companies providing support to workers where operations are curtailed, including protection to workers protesting the coup.
Sharan Burrow, general secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation, said that trade unions are appalled at the seizing of power by the military in Myanmar and will do all within our power to stop the coup succeeding.
“For the people of Myanmar, this is an extremely ominous time as the military attempt to rewrite the rules on the ground. We stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and pay tribute to those brave workers taking action defend their fragile democracy and reject the military takeover. The global trade union movement will fight to ensure the release of all those detained and bring an end to the violence and harassment of the people. The perpetrators of the coup must be isolated,"
said Burrow.
Stephen Cotton, general secretary of the International Transport Workers’ Federation, said now is the time for the global trade union movement to stand shoulder to shoulder with the workers in Myanmar who continue to protest across the country in defiance against the coup and attempts to stifle dissent by internet blackouts.
“In the wake of the military coup we must unite and ramp up pressure on the UN Security Council, governments and corporations around the world to sanction, target and isolate the military regime until we secure the unconditional release of all detainees, the lifting of state of emergency and the return to civilian rule,”
Chemical workers in Latin America highlight the importance of union networks
As the pandemic rages on, its impacts are still felt around the world. Hundreds of companies have closed down their operations in Latin America, using the economic crisis caused by the pandemic to justify their actions. Thousands of workers have lost their jobs and their only source of income.
"Ford, for instance, has closed its plants in Brazil, forcing other companies along the supply chain to shut down their operations as well. The entire chemicals sector has been affected. We need to work together in order to limit the suffering of workers around the world. We need to strengthen union networks, like the one at Bayer,"
said Lucineide Varjão, president of IndustriALL affiliate CNQ/CUT and member of IndustriALL’sExecutive Committee, at the regional meeting of the chemicals sector on 5 February.
Participants highlighted the importance of strengthening IndustriALL’s union networks at specific companies, like Bayer and BASF. The BASF network played a fundamental role when holding meetings with the company during the pandemic. The network also managed to get BASF to publish a Covid-19 newsletter mentioning the agreements reached in each country, helping to ensure that there were almost no layoffs.
Participants also spoke about the need to discuss how working from home is implemented in certain companies and its impact on workers, especially women. The president of Fequimfar and the sector co-chair, Sergio Luiz Leite, said that legislation in Brazil allowed companies to come to individual agreements with each worker without involving the union. Companies also pressured employees to work from home without having regulations in place.
In addition, Tom Grinter, IndustriALL director of chemicals and pharmaceuticals, pulp and paper, and rubber industries, gave an overview of the global situation and the 2021 union agenda for his sectors.
Kemal Özkan, IndustriALL assistant secretary general, added:
"Employers and governments are undermining workers' rights with their labour reforms. Many companies have used the public health crisis as an excuse to lay off workers. And the crisis has also sped up the transition to Industry 4.0.
“At IndustriALL, we have a longstanding responsibility to strengthen union power, confront global capital through campaigns and industrial relations, be the voice of workers and drive this far-reaching transformation, which we are a key part of. The future is in our hands – we need to build it together."
Union wins reinstatement of 1,257 workers in India
After the first Covid-19 lockdown, garment producer Gokaldas Exports, based in the Indian state of Karnataka, used the pandemic as an excuse to break the union at its Euro Clothing Company 2 (ECC-2) factory. It began removing machinery on 30 May, and on 8 June, it shut the factory and fired all 1,257 workers. The firing was illegal under Indian federal labour law.
Gokaldas has more than 20 production units. However, ECC-2 was the only one that was unionized, with about 900 workers belonging to IndustriALL Global Union affiliate GATWU and its federation Unions United. ECC-2 produces clothing for European brands. At the time, the factory was fulfilling orders for H&M, its main client. Gokaldas claimed that H&M order cancellations were the reason for shutting the factory. H&M disputed this, saying that it had paid for all clothing produced.
Before and after shutting the factory, managers engaged in an aggressive union busting campaign. This included travelling to workers’ home villages to threaten them. The workers did not back down: they launched a sit-in at the factory as soon as the closure was announced, which continued for 50 days and resulted in the workers receiving pay that was owed to them.
IndustriALL first wrote to the company on 9 June. IndustriALL has a global framework agreement (GFA) with H&M that guarantees freedom of association in the company’s supply chains. Violations are monitored by a National Monitoring Committee. Gokaldas initially refused to meet with the committee, and later refused to engage in the conciliation process.
A solidarity demonstration in Vienna
IndustriALL launched an international campaign, which included a Global Day of Action on 4 September. The case received widespread media attention and support from the Worker Rights Consortium who put pressure on American brands such as GAP and Columbia. H&M, in compliance with the GFA, announced its intention to stop ordering from Gokaldas if the company failed to respect freedom of association.
Workers sent solidarity from around the world – Bangladesh
In India, GATWU kept up the pressure on the company. The resolution of the union paid off, and on 1 February 2021, Gokaldas Exports signed a memorandum of understanding with GATWU, their national centre NTUI and IndustriALL.
The most important points of the agreement are:
All 1,257 workers who were employed when the factory shut will be offered work if they apply before 15 March 2021.
ECC-2 will remain shut, but workers will be offered employment in two other factories.
The company will provide transport to the factories.
GATWU will be recognized as the sole bargaining agent for three years in any factory where they have more than 20 per cent membership.
Padma, a worker at ECC-2 and a key union activist said:
“We always knew that after such a powerful struggle we would win back all 1,257 jobs. This is because of the sustained struggle of all the workers and of GATWU, NTUI and IndustriALL.”
Nagamma, a worker at ECC-2, said:
“We fought because all we have is our jobs to keep us alive. All workers should learn from this and join a union. It is only through strong unions that you can fight such big companies.”
GATWU president Prathibha R said,
“It was the determination of the union and its members, along with international solidarity, that ensured that an agreement like this, which has never been seen before, can be signed. GATWU will continue to organize garment workers and build its strength”.
IndustriALL General secretary Valter Sanches, said:
“This is a tremendous victory for GATWU against almost impossible odds. Against a backdrop of a global pandemic that has resulted in economic carnage and lost jobs, GATWU won workers’ jobs back, as well as a recognition agreement that it will use to expand its coverage at the company. The courage and determination of the workers is an inspiration to us all.
“This victory also shows the importance of our global framework agreements. Combined with a strong campaign on the ground and international solidarity, they provide the leverage that leads to victory. I would like to thank all our affiliates around the world that engaged in the solidarity actions.”
The general secretary of the NTUI, Gautam Mody, added:
“This is what union power is about – a united and militant membership makes for strong union, a strong national centre and a strong global union. The solidarity and support we received was incredible. That kept the spirits up. IndustriALL really proved what a fighting global union can achieve.”
Workers sent solidarity from around the world – Iraq
Workers sent solidarity from around the world
Workers sent solidarity from around the world
Nagamma, a worker at ECC-2, said:
“We fought because all we have is our jobs to keep us alive. All workers should learn from this and join a union. It is only through strong unions that you can fight such big companies.”
GATWU president Prathibha R said,
“It was the determination of the union and its members, along with international solidarity, that ensured that an agreement like this, which has never been seen before, can be signed. GATWU will continue to organize garment workers and build its strength”.
IndustriALL general secretary Valter Sanches, said:
“This is a tremendous victory for GATWU against almost impossible odds. Against a backdrop of a global pandemic that has resulted in economic carnage and lost jobs, GATWU won workers’ jobs back, as well as a recognition agreement that it will use to expand its coverage at the company. The courage and determination of the workers is an inspiration to us all.
“This victory also shows the importance of our global framework agreements. Combined with a strong campaign on the ground and international solidarity, they provide the leverage that leads to victory. I would like to thank all our affiliates around the world that engaged in the solidarity actions.”
The general secretary of the NTUI, Gautam Mody, added:
“This is what union power is about – a united and militant membership makes for strong union, a strong national centre and a strong global union. The solidarity and support we received was incredible. That kept the spirits up. IndustriALL really proved what a fighting global union can achieve.”
Workers sent solidarity from around the world – Iraq
Unions push to ratify ILO Convention 190
Latin American unions continue to work for the ratification of C190. On 17 January, Ecuador voted and approved the ratification of C190.
The Confederation of Free Trade Union Organizations (CEOSL) said that the campaign by its affiliate, the National Union of Domestic Workers and related workers, together with the National Council for Equality, UN Women Ecuador and the Simón Bolívar Andean University played a fundamental role.
On 26 January, Chile voted and approved a draft agreement requesting that steps be taken to ratify C190 and adopt ILO recommendation 206. It is a big step forward, following on CUT’s campaign, #TrabajoSinViolencia, with the participation of the International Trade Union Confederation and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES Chile).
More countries are in line to ratify C190. On 11 January, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa pledged to ratify the convention. Violence in the world of work affects a large part of women workers in the country. A study from 2018 estimated that 30 per cent of women were victims of unwanted sexual advances in their workplaces. IndustriALL affiliates are campaigning for the ratification of C190 and it has been taken up by the President and the parliament.
Data shows that domestic violence has exploded during the pandemic, with reports of a global increase of domestic violence. Social consequences of the outbreak and related confinements leading to a loss of social interaction may have increased tensions inherent to forced cohabitation and increased the risks of domestic violence.
Trade unions are reporting cases where women have been asked for sexual favours in return for equipment to protect against Covid-19. The past shows that women are at an elevated risk of abuse and quid-pro quo sexual harassment during an economic downturn and when jobs are fewer.
“With the current pandemic and its economic consequences it is even more urgent to fight against violence against women. Trade unions should continue their efforts for ratification of C190 in their countries. In the countries where the convention has been ratified, the unions and their campaigns made a difference,”
Shymkent local authorities have filed a lawsuit to suspend the Trade Union of the Fuel and Energy Industry Workers, with more than 4,000 members in the oil, metallurgical, energy and other industries in eight regions of Kazakhstan.
According to the lawsuit, the union has failed to make the necessary amendments to its statuary documents and violates current union legislation. However, legal experts consider these claims unreasonable and based on legal norms that no longer apply, or do not apply to this case.
According to the Central Asia Labour Rights Monitoring Mission, authorities filed this lawsuit on the initiative of a number of companies, including Oil Construction Company, West Oil and Bozashy Trans Kurylys, that belong to the state-owned KazMunayGaz. In recent years, Kazakh authorities have intensified pressure on independent unions by prosecuting and sentencing union leaders on politically motivated charges. This pressure has seriously weakened the union movement in Kazakhstan.
In July 2019, the previous leader of the Trade Union of the Fuel and Energy Industry Workers Erlan Baltabay was sentenced to seven years in prison and handed a seven-year ban on conducting any public activity, such as trade union activities. He was later released following a massive solidarity campaign.
In 2017, the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Kazakhstan was forcefully dissolved and its leaders were prosecuted for their union activities.
Please sign and share the LabourStart campaign launched by IndustriALL and ITUC to send a message to Kazakh authorities, urging them to stop any pressure on unions and respect fundamental workers’ and trade union rights, in accordance to the ILO conventions ratified by Kazakhstan.
Roadmap agreed for conflict resolution at Veolia Morocco
IndustriALL contacted Veolia in May 2020, after all mediation efforts had failed to bring the parties together. Amanor workers were protesting a long and serious list of violations. Veolia’s strong public commitments on trade union rights were put to the test, and the new roadmap agreed by all parties is a strong example of a multinational company reacting in the correct way.
IndustriALL sector director Tom Grinter said:
“Veolia central management has worked with us in good faith to solve this major conflict. This positive example can serve as the foundation for expanding the relationship between IndustriALL Global Union and Veolia.”
The Tangier regional secretary of the Union Marocaine du Travail (UMT), Ali Abdelsadik, officially announced the end of the strike to the event.
With the ending of the Amanor workers’ indefinite strike and worksite occupations, management agreed to cancel the dismissals of all eleven workers dismissed during the conflict, and a restart of operations free from discrimination.
The roadmap agreement sets out a clear timeline for the next steps. A first phase of agreeing solutions to the contentious issues will take place under mediation, followed by collective bargaining that will deliver the long-standing social peace desired by all parties. The mediation has been conducted by Professor Rachid Filali.
The signing ceremony on 1 February brought together management, workers and different levels of union representation as well as the regional director of the Moroccan Ministry of Labour. Francois De Rochambeau, general director of Veolia Morocco, addressed the event, welcoming the agreement and outlining his keenness to continue working with the partners on the issue.
The senior level trade union representation at the meeting included UMT general secretary Miloudi Moukharik, IndustriALL vice-president for the MENA region, Abdelmajid Matoual, and IndustriALL assistant general secretary Kemal Özkan, who all expressed strong appreciation with the agreement along with the regional director of the Ministry of Labour.
Abdelatif El Razy, general secretary of the union of Amanor workers signed the agreement and said:
“We hope to overcome the problems and causes that led to this tension, and we look forward to resuming work and effective social dialogue.”
As per the roadmap agreement, the process will be monitored by Veolia and IndustriALL Global Union.
IndustriALL MENA regional secretary Ahmed Kamel said:
“We congratulate the national and regional leadership of UMT and the workers for such major progress. Now the important work begins on the collective bargaining, promoting mutual trust and dialogue.”
IndustriALL Global Union condemns military coup in Myanmar and calls for respect for democracy and the constitution
After 50 years of military regime, the process to build a democracy in Myanmar must not be interfered with. The military leaders of Myanmar must respect the election results from November, where NLD won a crushing majority over the military-led Union Solidarity and Development Party’s (USDP).
In a country where unions have only been allowed since 2012, IndustriALL supports the statement of Confederation of Trade Unions Myanmar (CTUM) that any action that aims to derail the election outcome or impede Myanmar's democratic transition must be rejected.
The military must willingly accept the people’s free and democratic choice and comply with international human rights norms. Win Myint, Aung San Suu Kyi and other political activists should be released, unconditionally and immediately.
IndustriALL calls on the military leaders to acknowledge that the fruit of economic growth and improvement of living standard is a result of democratization and peaceful co-existence of multiple political party since 2011. Resorting to violence, conflict and undemocratic rule will defeat Myanmar’s effort to attract foreign investor and international economic development.
“Together with global unions and our affiliates around the world, we will mobilize international solidarity for our brothers and sisters in Myanmar in their continuous fight for workers’ rights and democracy.
“We call on multilateral organizations and governments to send a clear message to the military to respect democracy and the constitution, and to reinstate the elected government,”
says IndustriALL general secretary Valter Sanches.
IndustriALL Global Union and IndustriAll European Trade Union call for justice and solidarity in the fight against Covid-19
After an unprecedented effort to develop, approve and roll out cures, medicines and vaccinations, several are available. The world has come closer to overcoming the pandemic. And the common global endeavour and public-private cooperation to find drugs and vaccines demonstrated the best internationalism.
It is crucial that we do not leave the path of cooperation, solidarity and justice.
No continent, no country, no economy, no person will be safe until the whole world is safe. Vaccine nationalism is a short-sighted response to this global problem. It will prolong the pandemic and the threat of new variants endangering us all. We stand for the right of universal access to vaccination.
The pharmaceutical industry will for the next decades be judged by its conduct during the pandemic. 2020 saw an improvement of the reputation and importance of this crucial sector, but image gains are easily lost.
IndustriALL Global Union and IndustriAll Europe appeal to the industry to show its best side:
Cooperate, even with competitors in order to increase production so that the vaccination process can speed up
Provide full transparency about production volumes, price calculations, purchasing contracts, etc
Put the public good and interests before profits, make medicines and vaccinations available for everyone
We have full understanding for the pressure on countries to secure medical products and bring relief to people. Bearing this in mind, IndustriALL Global Union and IndustriAll European Trade Union appeal to politicians:
Populism will not defeat Covid-19
We – our health, our economies and our jobs – will only recover if we recover globally
Work rationally and in solidarity for the best possible outcome for all globally with the universal value of solidarity and equality
Workers in the pharmaceutical industries around the globe, represented by IndustriALL Global Union and IndustriAll European Trade Union, are ready and eager to produce all the medication and vaccines needed and thus contribute to overcoming this crisis.
