Bodies of Pasta de Conchos victims may be recovered

Tuesday, 19 February marked the 13th anniversary of the Pasta de Conchos tragedy in which 65 workers were killed by an explosion at the mine owned by Grupo Mexico. Mexico's president, Andrés López Obrador, announced that he would look into the possibility of recovering the bodies of the 63 miners still below ground.

The President expressed his support for finding the remains of the dozens of miners still buried in Coal Mine 8 owned by the mining company Grupo Mexico, in Pasta de Conchos, Coahuila. The initial search for survivors was called off just five days after the explosion, and the bodies were never recovered.

During a press conference, Mexico's president said that he would look into the possibility of recovering the bodies, as this would help to heal wounds and bring national reconciliation and justice for the victims' families.

"In this case, we will not rule out the option of the company willingly agreeing to conduct a search for the remains of those who were left trapped in the mine. This would be a great step towards achieving reconciliation between the parties and at the national level as well. World experts should be brought in so that excavations can be organized and the bodies recovered. Anything we can do will help to heal the wounds."

On the same day, the Los Mineros miners’ union, an affiliate of IndustriALL Global Union, organized a march and a rally in memory of the miners killed in this industrial homicide. The event was held at the entrance to the General De Hulla facilities at Mine 8.

In addition to union members, it was attended by: family members of the deceased miners; USW's National Director for Canada, Ken Neumann; USW International's Director of International Affairs, Benjamin Davis; and president of Los Mineros and Mexican Senator, Napoleón Gómez Urrutia.

At the event, the leader of the Miners’ Union said:

"This tragedy has lasted for 13 long years. Right from the beginning, we have had three key demands, which we reiterate today:

1. For the bodies in the mine to be recovered.

2. For the families affected by this industrial homicide to receive just and fair compensation.

3. And for the investigation into the causes of Grupo Mexico’s negligence to be reopened and those responsible punished."

He said that he would do everything he could to ensure that these demands were met and that experts brought in to conduct technical studies with a view to recovering the workers' bodies.

IndustriALL Global Union's regional secretary, Marino Vani, said:

"IndustriALL stands by the families of the deceased miners and supports Los Mineros in its relentless fight and its plight to restore the dignity of the victims of this tragedy."

Expanded maternity leave becomes law in the Philippines

Women workers and unions celebrate as Philippines’ President gave the final push on 21 February to a Senate Bill extending maternity leave in the country.

The new law increases the current paid maternity leave of 60 days for normal delivery and 78 days for caesarian, to 105 days for female workers in government and the private sector, including those in the informal economy, regardless of civil status or the legitimacy of the child. The law allows allocation of up to seven days of leave to the child’s father.

This law has been achieved through the efforts of women and men leaders of IndustriALL Philippines, together with allied unions, legislators, women’s rights advocates and other supporters,

says Eva Arcos, national vice president of Associated Labor Unions (ALU) and IndustriALL Women co-chair.

As well as being very good for mothers’ and babies’ health, it will protect jobs and secure the income of working women while on maternity leave.

The law covers the wage difference between the average or regular monthly salary and the full payment of the maternity benefit. Exceptions, like micro-business enterprises and retail/service establishments employing less than ten workers, are subject to annual submission of justification for exemption.

Non-compliance with the law can be fined up to P20,000.00 – 200,000.00 (US$385 – US$3,850), and six to twelve years in prison.

IndustriALL Philippines Women Committee (IPWC) chair Susanne Dejon says:

The new law protects women workers and their health. It is a major victory for all workers in the Philippines.

Asuncion Binos from Pinagisang Tinig at Lakas ng Anakpawis (PIGLAS) and former IPWC chair, says:

The expanded maternity leave law shows that things can change for the better. It took hard work and unity among affiliates to achieve this great result, and we hope that this success encourage more women victories in the future.

Cement unions in India commit to strong organizing drive

All trade unions present also decided jointly to fight precarious work, improve women workers’ situation and fight for better occupational safety and health (OSH) in India’s cement companies.

Participating IndustriALL cement sector affiliates, Indian Cement Workers’ Federation, All India Cement Employees Federation and Pragatisheel Pragatisheel Cement Shramik Sangh (PCSS) expressed serious concern over a cement corporates’ general tendency to reduce manpower, which sidelined with rampant use of precarious work creates a hurdle for union organizing in the cement sector in India. Often, permanent workers are directly replaced by contractors, hence initiating a “race to the bottom” when it comes to working conditions, health and safety and wages. Generally spoken, contract or precarious workers suffer low wages, poor working conditions, lack of job security and social protection.

Lack of appropriate safety and health measures continues to cause injuries and claim workers lives in the cement sector. Deployment of contract workers and trainees without proper personal protection equipment and training, in critical areas of production, results in multiple near misses and fatal accidents. Corporates and governments continue to ignore impacts of occupational disease in the cement industry. Unions underlined that no top down approach is acceptable on OSH issues. Workers have the right to know, right to refuse unsafe work and the right to be involved in decision-making process to stop accidents and improve the OSH situation.

The affiliates provided a lot of cases of extending solidarity to contract workers. They highlighted their experiences of unionizing contract workers, pressuring the management to successfully regularizing them, winning wage increases and improving their working conditions. They also noted another positive sign of an  increasing number of women participating in union activities.

The three affiliates will do all they can to increase union membership particularly of women, youth and precarious workers. These especially vulnerable workers will also become represented in union leadership structures. The unions also committed to start a campaign on OSH issues and intensify their engagement with the employer to minimize accidents and address occupational diseases in the cement sector. More specifically, unions decided to appoint a dedicated union officer to engage on OSH issues in every plant/unit.

Matthias Hartwich, IndustriALL director for mechanical engineering and materials industries sector said, “Social dialogue in the cement sector on global and regional level remains our goal, but in order to get employers to the table, it is important that our affiliates increase their membership and organizing power. Especially women, youth and precarious workers must be integrated in our structures. Also, addressing health and safety issues will strengthen the union power to effectively defend workers’ rights in the cement sector.”

Apoorva Kaiwar, IndustriALL South Asia regional secretary said that, “I see significant progress made by our affiliates in improving union membership and extending solidarity support to precarious workers. Increased union membership with the inclusion of women and youth membership and creating awareness on OSH issues will strengthen the voice of all cement workers in India.”

Brazilian unions protest against pension reform and promise further action

February 20 was a day of many emotions for the people of Brazil. It was the date chosen by President Jair Bolsonaro to deliver a proposal to Congress to reform the pension system to restrict access, especially for the poorest, and reduce the benefits and historical rights won through years of struggle.

Thousands of workers demonstrated against the ending of their pensions across the country. One of the largest took place in the centre of São Paulo, where it is estimated that more than 10,000 people took part.

At this national assembly of the working class, the unions rejected the changes in the rules and presented a plan of action with nine points to take forward.

Among others, they intend to:

The union leaders explained that Bolsonaro is attempting to end the public solidarity system of universal pensions in the country. Instead, he is intends to gradually transition to an “individual capitalization model”, in which each worker's retirement will depend on what they are able to save throughout their working life.

Workers believe that this capitalization should not be implemented for the working class, who struggle for a guaranteed dignified retirement at the end of working life. Periods of unemployment and informal jobs mean that workers are not in a position to save adequately.

The proposal also sets the retirement date by period of contribution and implements a mandatory minimum age of 65 years for men and 62 for women. In addition, it establishes that the transition will be from 10 to 12 years, less than the 20 years proposed by the illegitimate former president Michel Temer.

General secretary of IndustriALL Global Union, Valter Sanches, said:

“The right-wing government of Brazil is intent on destroying the system of social solidarity provision, following failed examples in Latin America, such as Chile, extending working hours and introducing benefits lower than the minimum wage. IndustriALL support its Brazilian affiliates in the fight against the deepening misery represented by this government policy.”

Glencore African union network opens dialogue with company

Union representatives from the African countries where Swiss-based mining and commodities giant has operations, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Africa and Zambia, met Glencore’s human resources (HR) management team for the first time at the launch of IndustriALL Global Union’s regional union network. The Glencore team included the HR managers from Mutanda Mining and Katanga Mining in the DRC, Mopani Copper Mines in Zambia, and Alloys Assets and Coal Assets in South Africa.

The benefits and effectiveness of constructive dialogue become a reality when a company works together with unions to improve working conditions, respect workers’ rights, pays decent living wages, employs more permanent workers, and improves health and safety, said participants at the meeting, which was facilitated by the IndustriALL central and regional offices.

IndustriALL’s affiliates elaborated the progress they expect from Glencore, which includes equal pay for work of equal value, good health and safety practices, maternity leave, and access to health services. Union representatives raised their demand that Glencore should hire more permanent workers and ensure that contractors enjoy the same rights under labour laws. Unions noted improvements in working conditions and community development.

The Glencore HR management team provided extensive information about the company and its labour-related policies and practices. They explained what they are doing at their operations to resolve the grievances raised by unions, how they engage with the unions, and the community projects that they are involved in.

Says Gerda Schwindt, the Glencore group head of HR:

“We welcomed the opportunity to engage with IndustriALL, allowing us to understand their concerns as well as highlighting our commitment to our ambition of being recognized as a top employer in all of our operating regions.”

Says Kemal Özkan, IndustriALL assistant general secretary:

“We have started the interaction with Glencore in a form of constructive dialogue. The company should be able to listen to the concerns of the workers recognizing and respecting their fundamental rights with working conditions. I believe this dialogue with Glencore furthers labour relations in the operations of the company”.

The meeting ended up with a common understanding to develop similar dialogue at country level.

IndustriALL’s Glencore Global Union Network will be held in Colombia in September, and the company management is expected to be present with the same commitment to dialogue at global level.

Calls for safety standards in artisanal mining as Zimbabwe’s flooded gold mines claim 28 lives

Mining companies Zimplats and Rio Zim are assisting in the rescue effort by providing machinery and equipment. Rescuers say they need water pumps with more horsepower to reach the missing miners as the water level keeps rising.

Glen Mpufane, IndustriALL Global Union director for mining, diamonds, gems, ornaments and precious stones says such tragedies are avoidable if key stakeholders prioritize health and safety in artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM) operations. In particular, governments must develop policy to formalize relations with ASM and mining companies with operations in their vicinity.

“Promoting the health and safety of ASM is a social responsibility and stakeholders mustn’t turn a blind eye. Therefore, we support initiatives in which mining companies engage with trade unions and communities on safe and sustainable mining such as the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA), which calls for engagement between large scale mining (LSM), ASM and communities in its standard.”

Zed Banda, the general secretary of the National Mineworkers Union of Zimbabwe, an affiliate of IndustriALL, adds:

“Artisanal and small-scale mining is one of the ways in which workers are surviving Zimbabwe’s economic crisis. In a country with limited opportunities, and where unemployment is very high at over 90 per cent, ASM helps the youth put food on the table. We are calling on the government to recognize and support ASM to end the deadly mining conditions under which they toil to eke a living.”

Although ASM use basic tools like picks, shovels, ropes and buckets, they have been producing most of Zimbabwe’s gold. According to Fidelity Printers and Refiners, a subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, and sole buyer of the precious metal, gold production increased mainly due to ASM. For instance, in 2018 ASM produced 21.7 tonnes compared to mining companies’ 11. 5 tonnes.

However, despite this high production, the laws are skewed against ASM who mine under appalling and dangerous conditions with weak adherence to health and safety standards expected in mining. To improve conditions ASM are asking for inclusion in current discussions on the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill. They argue that policy regulation can improve health and safety and promote sustainable mining.

The Parliament of Zimbabwe says there are 500,000 ASM in the country who support up to three million dependents but operate with neither policy regulation nor government support.

The Alternative Mining Indaba, held annually parallel to the Mining Indaba, calls upon governments to:

“…decriminalize artisanal mining, so that miners can be trained; safety standards maintained, and communities liberated from the operations of criminal gangs. The African Mining Vision also recognizes artisanal and small-scale mining potential to end poverty and recommends that it be linked to development initiatives."

Ukrainian miners protest underground against non-payment of wages

The mineworkers are demanding payment of three months of wage arrears from the state-owned coal mining company Selydivvugillia. IndustriALL Global Union affiliates the Trade Union of Coal Industry Workers of Ukraine and Independent Trade Union of Miners of Ukraine (NPGU) support the protesters.

On 18 February, 50 workers of the 13 Novogrodivska mine went underground, but refused to start working. Seven of them did not return to the surface after the end of the shift. The next day, another 37 miners joined the underground protest. Trade unions provide them with water and food.

Miners demand the payment of wages for November and December 2018, and for January 2019. The outstanding wage bill is UAH 250 million (US$ 9,2 million).

The coal reserves in the 13 Novogrodivska mine were partially misappropriated by Oleksandr Yanukovych, the son of former a Ukrainian President, and are not currently being exploited. Mineworkers have repeatedly called on the Ukrainian parliament to bring them back into public ownership, but have failed so far.

Viktor Turmanov, president of the Trade Union of Coal Industry Workers of Ukraine, stated:

“It is difficult to say how long the action will last. The situation is very tense. Miners presented an ultimatum that they would not start working until the debt is fully repaid.”

The total amount of wage arrears at the state coal mining enterprises of Ukraine is more than UAH 814 million (US $ 29,9 million).

Mychailo Volynets, president of NPGU, said:

“Unfortunately, the Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine and the Government do not take effective measures to address this situation, neither to solve the problems of state mines in general”.

Earlier, on 6 February, 350 miners of the state-owned enterprise Lvivugillia held a demonstration against the non-payment of wages in front of the building of the Lviv regional administration. Among other demands, miners insist on payment of their UAH 210 million (US$ 7.7 million) in outstanding wages, and resolving the problem of coal sales.

The protest resulted in a meeting of representatives of trade unions with the mine management and representatives of the regional administration on problematic issues of the coal industry. Subsequently wage arrears were repaid at 67 per cent for December 2018 and at 68 per cent for January 2019.

Vadim Borisov, regional secretary of IndustriALL, comments:

“We call on the government of Ukraine to move to social dialogue and carefully consider the proposals of our affiliates for the development of the coal industry”.

Russian unions fight to save Ford plant

The works council at Ford Vsevolozhsk, comprised of IndustriALL Global Union affiliate the Interregional Trade Union "Workers Association" (ITUWA) and the local Ford trade union organization, issued a joint statement on 15 February.

Although the closure of the Vsevolozhsk plant has not been confirmed, Ford announced in January 2019 that it would review its development strategy in Russia. Depending on the review, the plant in Vsevolozhsk and two plants for the production of cars and engines in the Republic of Tatarstan may be closed. Leningrad region authorities have an agreement with the company's management to continue the plant’s operation in 2019, but this does not secure the future of Ford plants in Russia beyond this date.

The Vsevolozhsk works council appealed for support to IndustriALL and to the Confederation of Labour of Russia (KTR), and intends to forward their proposals to the European management of the Ford company.

The unions have joined forces to urge management to enter into a constructive dialogue. They propose using the expertise of the unions and workers to develop a plan that will help to safeguard jobs, make the plant viable and to help Ford return to the successful times of the past.

Igor Temchenko, chair of ITUWA in the Leningrad region and Saint-Petersburg, says,

“In our opinion, local management does not assess all the risks associated with the liquidation of the enterprise and the mass dismissal of employees. The trade unions have proposals for reducing production costs, as well as for the development of the company. As a result, these measures will save the plant in Vsevolozhsk.”

The Ford-Sollers joint venture in Vsevolozhsk has operated since 2001, and produces Focus and Mondeo models. Presently, the plant employs 1,020 people on a one shift regime. Approximately 600 are production staff and 400 are office and management staff. Over the past four years, the plant has operated part time.

Vadim Borisov, regional secretary of IndustriALL, comments:

“The example of the Ford company once again emphasizes the importance of a social dialogue with trade unions from the moment the company enters the Russian market. At this first stage, the company’s agreement with the government to commence proceedings should include employee guarantees and a formula to calculate severance payments in case of massive dismissals or closure of the business. We support the demands of trade unions in Vsevolozhsk and urge Ford plant management to engage in a constructive social dialogue.”

Trade unions in Brazil campaign against pension reforms

They will spend the day campaigning against right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro's proposed pension reform, which seeks to bring an end to pensions.

The proposal, which will be submitted to Congress on 20 February, aims to replace the social security system – in which the State manages the contributions of workers through a single fund that is financed through payroll taxes – with a private pension system.

There would be a gradual transition towards an individual contribution model, in which the amount of each worker's retirement benefits would depend on how much they were able to save during their working life. The proposal is designed to save close to 3 trillion reais (US $830 billion) in public spending over ten years.

According to union leaders, President Bolsonaro signed Provisional Measure 871/2019 on 18 January without first holding consultations with workers, in total disregard of the principles of democracy and the role of the National Social Security Committee.

Few details about the reform have been made public, but union leaders have confirmed that the proposal includes a raft of measures to overhaul the benefits system and entitlement rules, stripping thousands of workers of their right to social security.

The new rules and requirements aim to restrict access to the country’s surviving spouse’s pension, benefits for prisoners’ dependents, maternity leave, continuous disability benefits and pensions for rural workers.

In the 1980s, dictator Augusto Pinochet brought in similar reforms to privatize social security in Chile, where pensions are now managed by six private funds. These funds pay retirees less than four per cent of what their contributions were, which has sparked numerous protests against the system.

IndustriALL Global Union regional secretary, Marino Vani, says:

"We stand by the unions and workers in Brazil. The Government's talk of 'reform' is a lie. What they really want to do is get rid of universal, public pensions that are funded by both employers and employees and bring in a system that is funded exclusively by workers, with companies not required to contribute anything at all. That way, banks will continue making profits, while workers will left with no pensions as their retirement savings are lost to the vagaries of the market."

Workers protest as Royal Enfield transfers union members across India

The transfers are the continuation of a tactic by Royal Enfield management to undermine union demands, including the equal treatment and regularization of precarious workers, in the ongoing collective bargaining negotiation.

The transferred workers include the general secretary of the union, active union members and women workers of the Royal Enfield Employees Union, affiliated to Working People Trade Union Congress (WPTUC), an affiliate of IndustriALL Global Union.

The Royal Enfield Oragadam plant employs 5,559 workers, including 1,059 permanent workers, 2,000 contract workers, 1,000 trainees and 1,500 trainees employed through National Employability Enhancement Mission (NEEM). Most of the NEEM workers, who are paid only an apprentice rate, are also involved in production.

In the period from September to November 2018, Royal Enfield witnessed 50 days of determined workers’ protests, which concluded with an agreement to continue the discussion towards a collective bargaining agreement.

Subsequently, in January 2019, in violation of the spirit of the agreement, management transferred union office bearers to different locations within the Chennai region. Negotiations resulted in withdrawal of these transfers.

However, due to non-responsiveness and intransigence by management, negotiations did not progress, and the union issued a strike notice on 11 February 2019, calling for meaningful engagement.

In response, the next day Royal Enfield management once again transferred union office bearers and workers, this time to far off locations in the states of West Bengal, Rajasthan and Karnataka.

Demanding the withdrawal of transfers, workers started to protest immediately from 13 February. On returning to work, management insisted they sign an undertaking that they will not take strike action in future.

R. Sampath of WPTUC said,

“Management should stop unfair labour practices and victimizing workers for involving in trade union activities.  It should abide by the law and respect workers’ right to join union of their choice and equal rights to contract workers and resolve the dispute through meaningful negotiations.”

Georg Leutert, IndustriALL director for automotive and aerospace industries, said,

“The lack of decent work at Royal Enfield must be addressed immediately and vindictive actions must be withdrawn. Management should engage in collective bargaining negotiations in good faith to pave the way for industrial peace”.

Apoorva Kaiwar, IndustriALL South Asia regional secretary said,

“It is unacceptable that management is using arm-twisting and anti-union tactics to intimidate young workers. We will continue to support our affiliate WPTUC in this struggle to win decent work at the Royal Enfield Oragadam plant.”

Workers’ demands include:

  1. Employment of all workers who complete 480 days of work to be regularized
  2. Employees working more than a month must be provided with a bonus
  3. All transfer orders and vindictive actions should be revoked
  4. Meaningfully engage with collective bargaining agreement
  5. NEEM workers engaged in permanent work must be stopped.