Bangladesh: unions demand better wages for garment workers

In January 2018, the government of Bangladesh constituted a minimum wage board consisting of the representatives of employers, national trade union federations and government officials. In July 2018, employers’ representatives proposed to increase the monthly minimum wages to mere 6,360 BDT (US$ 75), while a trade union representative in the minimum wage board proposed an increase up to 12,020 BDT (US$ 142).

In a press conference on 28 July, Salauddin Shapon, Secretary General of IndustriALL Bangladesh Council (IBC) said that, “existing lower minimum wages proposals are not acceptable to garment workers. Before formulating our demand for 16,000 BDT as minimum wage, the IBC conducted a study and carefully considered various aspects including cost of living, inflation trends and minimum wages in major countries that are producing readymade garments. We will continue to organize various actions to convey garment workers’ demands to the government.”

Apoorva Kaiwar, IndustriALL South Asia Regional Secretary said,

“the demand for increasing minimum wage is one of the most crucial issues for Bangladesh readymade garment workers. The government should consider the reality of workers’ lives when debating on the minimum wages to improve the decent work and sustainable development of the readymade garments sector. IndustriALL supports the demands of our affiliates.”

In addition to the minimum wage increase, the IBC also demanded workers categorization, based on the skill level should be reduced from the current seven to only five grades. An employee promotion policy should be adopted to ensure that workers are promoted to higher grades within a reasonable period of two years. Further there should be 10 per cent annual wage increase, which will ensure that workers can appropriately meet ever-growing expenses for food, shelter, children’s education and health care.

The IBC also called for improvement of the piece rate system, which is currently resulting in many disputes as payment is discussed after completion of work. In order to avoid disputes IBC demands that the payment should be decided before beginning of the piecework. Further the training period for apprentices should be restricted to three months instead of the current practice of six months. Apprentices’ wages should raise from 4,180 BDT (US$49) to 10,000 BDT (US$117).

In Bangladesh, minimum wage is revised every five years. In 2013, the minimum wage was fixed at 5,300 BDT (US$62), an increase from 3,000 BDT (US$35) adopted in 2010.

Tunisia: UGTT calls on employers’ organization to take union claims seriously

In a statement issued by the UGTT, members of the private sector grouping stressed the importance of the negotiations, calling for real increases to improve their purchasing power.

They justified their grievances by the economic crisis that is raging in the country and in particular, the surge in prices, with inflation reaching more than 7 per cent.

“Although national indicators confirm the low per capita income of the workers and increasing inflation, the UTICA is still lagging behind on all issues and appears not to be serious in the negotiations. Therefore, we are ready for mobilization and action.  We insist on negotiation in good faith in order to achieve our just demands,”

said Tahar Berberi, general secretary of FGME-UGTT.

In their statement, unions representing the private sector group stressed that they are committed to serious and responsible negotiations, calling for real wage increases to improve their purchasing power.

“UTICA has not seriously addressed the provisions of the agreement reached with the UGTT on 10 March 2018, IndustriALL strongly supports the UGTT’s call on UTICA to come back to the negotiating table and bargain in good faith,”

said Kemal Özkan, IndustriALL assistant general secretary.

Strengthening union organizing as Ethiopia industrializes

The latest to be opened is the Chinese-built Adama Industrial Park, about 74km from Addis Ababa, where 25,000 workers will be employed. Hawassa will employ 60,000 while other parks that will cater for tens of thousands of workers include Bole Lemi and Kombolcha.

A workshop on 28 and 29 July 2018 at Adama, organized by IndustriALL Global Union affiliate, the Industrial Federation of Textile, Leather and Garment Workers Union (IFTLGWU) with support from FNV Mondiaal, discussed how unions could be strengthened to demand their rights to organize as protected in the country’s constitution and the labour laws. According to the IFTLGWU, there are cases in which unions are denied access to some of the industrial parks.

On collective bargaining, the workshop, which had participants from 11 textile and garment factories, discussed minimum labour standards as prescribed in the laws and what should be included in a collective bargaining agreement. Collective bargaining structures should also be set up shortly after the setting up of a base union.

Highlights included avoiding mistakes as the agreement is a legal document that is binding on the union and the employer. This means that if there are errors they must be corrected immediately. Unions also had to ensure that the employer complied with the agreement. When bargaining, workers should do so collectively to avoid being divided by the employer.

Hunde Gudeta, the facilitator of the workshop from the Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions, emphasized the importance of addressing, through collective bargaining, issues not directly covered by the laws but key to the agreement.

Other matters raised were on wage discrimination in which foreign workers were paid more than local workers for the same work. Further, workers wanted an improvement in their working conditions including provision of transport by the employer.

Says Christina Hajagos-Clausen, IndustriALL director for the textile and garment industry:

“Workers’ rights to organize are important to union building in Ethiopia, and the focus on collective bargaining will assist the unions’ demands for better working conditions and living wages.”

Ethiopia’s industrialization strategy is aimed at transforming the country from an agricultural base to an industrial one through the textile and garment sector among other industries.

Turkey: Strike at Mayr-Melnhof continues as management refuses to meet

MM Süperpak Ambalaj is a subsidiary of Austrian-based Mayr-Melnhof, with operations in Izmir, Karaman and Gaziantep. Around 250 workers from IndustriALL affiliate, Selüloz-İş have been on strike since rejecting a pay offer of zero wage rise on 20 June.

Collective bargaining negotiations at the three plants started on January 26 for the 2018-19 period. Of the 74 articles in the CBA, 50 were agreed. However, money remains the main conflict. The union demanded a 475 Turkish Lira wage increase, while previous management offered around TL 300. However new management offered zero increase in the last round. Before striking, the union made a final compromise of TL 350, which management refused.

In a letter to management of Mayr-Melnhof, IndustriALL general secretary Valter Sanches said:

“The union is committed to finding a solution in bargaining with the employer while the local management constantly refuses to enter into negotiations to solve the conflict.

“IndustriALL Global Union calls on Mayr-Melnhof Packaging International GmbH to intervene at Superpak management to ensure good-faith bargaining with the union of Seluloz-Is.”

The inflation rate is Turkey is currently above 15 per cent, meaning that a zero per cent wage increase amounts to a significant pay cut. The fall in the Lira has also substantially lowered the cost of doing business in the country for companies based abroad. Wage levels are slightly higher than legal minimum wage, at around US $350.

IndustriALL is cooperating with sister international, the IUF to contact Mayr-Melnhof’s primary customers.

Today workers at the factory in Torbalı, outside Izmir, endured 39 degree heat to express their determination. They were joined by representatives from many local unions, including IndustriALL affiliates Deriteks and Teksif. Trucks driving through the industrial zone hooted their support as workers chanted slogans, such as “Long live global solidarity”, and “Resistance brings victory”.

Speaking at the picket line, IndustriALL assistant general secretary Kemal Özkan said:

“Your struggle is just, and we support you. We have made the head office in Austria aware of what is happening here. The resolution of this dispute is entirely in their hands.

“Your struggle is not just a struggle for a fair wage increase, but for a respectful collective bargaining process. We are making the company’s customers around the world aware of their destructive practice. We will challenge the company wherever we find them.

“You will win as long as you hold onto your unity. We are strong: our class and our society is behind us because our cause is just.”

Founded over 100 years ago, the Mayr-Melnhof Group is a manufacturer of carton board with 37 production locations in 15 countries  in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Latin America and Asia, and is listed on the Vienna stock exchange. The group employs around 10,000 people.

Mayr-Melnhof is known for anti-labour practices. In 2012, the company announced the closure of a factory in Liverpool, United Kingdom, affecting 109 Unite members, without respecting the legal requirement of a 90-day consultation period. This resulted in the first lock out in the British paper and printing industry for over 50 years. The European works council initiated legal proceedings as the company violated information and consultation rights over a plant closure in Gunskirchen, Austria and the acquisition of seven French sites.

Hundreds of Tenaris workers protest in Romania

The union organized a number of rallies, including the most recent on 5 August, where hundreds of workers and their family members participated. Armed with vuvuzelas, whistles, tricolor flags and banners with messages blaming their employer and governors, protesters complained about low wages.

"The employer proves the same attitude of indifference, so we will continue to go out in the streets,"

says Alexandru Rus, leader of the Zalău metallurgist union, member of IndustriALL affiliate FSS-METAROM.

He also explained that on Thursday, 9 August, he would meet in Bucharest with officials of the Labour Ministry and the National Labor Inspectorate to explain facts about workers’ situation in the pipeline factory.

Alexandru Rus also referred to the problems in the national legislation, he particularly referred to amendments made to the national Social Dialogue Law in 2011, which resulted in a significant increase of Romanian workers paid only the minimum wage. According to his estimation currently there are about 34 per cent of them, compared to 8 per cent before the law was amended. Alexandru Rus explained that “At this moment, 8 out of 10 Romanian employees earn [monthly, editor’s remark] less than RON 2,050 (Euro 440).”

According to his words, so far employer’s offer is to raise salaries between RON 100 (Euro 20) and RON 200 (Euro 40), while the union demands are between RON 250 (Euro 50) and RON 350 (Euro 75) for each worker. In the hope that their voices are heard, TenarisSilcotub workers promised to hold new protests in the coming period.

There are about 1,500 people working in the Zalău factory.

Tenaris’ arrogant and negligent behavior towards workers and failure to bargain in good faith in Romania is not an exception. Unions in other countries are also facing similar troubles with this company. For instance, in Colombia workers claim that Tenaris TuboCaribe has not negotiated in good faith and has not signed a collective agreement. The company suspended seven trade union leaders for 15 days for having distributed flyers in which they explained the company and union position during the negotiations.

In Guatemala, IndustriALL had to lodge an OECD complaint against multinational steel producer Ternium, part of the same Techint Group as Tenaris, for refusing to recognize and negotiate with a trade union at its operations in the country.

Kemal Ozkan, IndustriALL Assistant general secretary says,

“IndustriALL stands in firm solidarity with the rightful struggle of our sisters and brothers at TenarisSilcotub pipe factory in Zalău, Romania same as at Tenaris and Ternium in Colombia and Guatemala. We will continue working alongside the Tenaris Ternium Workers' World Council and will denounce ruthless attitude of the company, until justice prevails for all Tenaris and Ternium workers.”

Mozambique: Union demands better wage deal from Sasol

At a meeting in Temane, a natural gas exploration and production plant with a workforce of 143, workers are demanding above-inflation wage increases and collective agreements extended from the current one year to two years.

Workers also want to be represented by a union official during collective bargaining instead of a shop steward, as it is common in these meetings that management sends human resources experts and lawyers to negotiations. Further, they want the union’s capacity on collective bargaining to be improved.

The workers are organized by IndustriALL affiliate in Mozambique, SINTIQUIAF, say relations between the union and the company are not cordial, and therefore not conducive to fair bargaining.

SINTIQUIAF members at Sasol Temane are also calling for a better deal and feel short-changed after getting only a 13 per cent increase, which is below the current inflation rate of 21 per cent. .

When a rotation allowance, which was part of their salaries, was stopped, workers lost earnings. They hope that in the future, revisions of job categories should lead to promotions. The stand-by watch system also disadvantages them as stand-by watchers earn more than the person performing the job.

Workers are further calling for an improved housing system. Although some workers are accommodated in a suitable housing facility, others live too close to the site which can be a serious health risk due to gas emissions from production activities.

As part of collaboration among IndustriALL affiliates in Sub Saharan Africa, the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union, shared experiences on the bargaining structures and formats in the petroleum sector in South Africa from which lessons could be drawn for Mozambique.

Shop stewards were advised to build their negotiations capacity by getting more information from the company, government institutions on other wage offers and ensuring that workers were united and followed the collective bargaining process.

Jessica Gune, general secretary of SINTIQUIAF says:

While we appreciate that Sasol takes care of workers especially on health and safety, we would want the same efforts to be made towards improving collective bargaining and paying better wages. Sasol must also improve its relations with the union.

Mozambique is one of the emerging countries in the oil and gas sector. According to its national development strategy natural resources should be used for economic development and to end poverty.

India: unions to tackle challenges faced by young workers

The meeting of youth trade union activists witnessed enthusiastic participation of young unionists from across India working in various IndustriALL sectors including mining, metal industries, cement, garment and textiles, automobile, electrical and electronics. Participants underlined that young workers face enormous challenges including precarious work, low wages, poor working conditions, work intensification and lack of knowledge and training on health and safety issues.

Violations of young workers’ rights are rampant due to lack unionization and awareness about advantages and benefits of joining unions among young workers. The union movement should develop innovative and youth friendly communication strategies and dedicate adequate resources to address young workers’ issues, providing appropriate space for them in union structures and leadership positions.

Addressing the young workers, S Q Zama, general secretary of IndustriALL affiliate Indian National Mine Workers Federation said:

As we are witnessing the ascent of right wing and divisive forces across the world, young workers need to play a crucial role in building unity among workers within the union, workplaces and society at large. They should work together to remove all forms of discrimination.

Sarah Flores, IndustriALL youth and project officer said:

India has a big youth population, but young workers in India are facing challenges with high unemployment or precarious working conditions. We believe that with an exchange of experiences and solidarity, we can tackle these challenges. Achieving gender equality should be an integral part of young workers’ agenda. Now it is the high time for real action.

Participants at the meeting decided to intensify organizing efforts to attract more youth working in manufacturing sectors and precarious workers. They decided to strengthen internal communication and will also share the story of their struggle and success with IndustriALL periodically. Participants committed to organize more field meetings on union building and organizing sports and cultural events with focus on reaching out more young workers. They also took the pledge that they will never discriminate anyone the basis of their gender, religion, region, caste and ideological believes. 

Zimbabwe: Unions denounce human rights violations in post-election violence

Zimbabweans went to the polls with the hope of turning things around from decades-long political and economic crises. Reasonably so, because unemployment is over 90 per cent, factories have closed, and wage theft is common.

Cash shortages, limited access to clean water, power outages and a crumbling infrastructure have led to mass migration of millions while the majority eke a living in the informal sector. Only six percent of the working population has formal jobs.

With the military-assisted removal of Robert Mugabe, the country’s ruler for 38 years, so much was expected in the 30 July elections for local government, parliament and the president. The ruling Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU PF) party won over two thirds of the parliamentary seats with the MDC Alliance (MDCA), a smaller party and an independent candidate getting the remainder.

However, the delays in announcing the presidential ballot led to protests on 1 August in Harare by the opposition which alleged that the results were being “stolen”. To disperse the protestors who marched to the vote counting centre, the police came first, but when the army appeared on the scene — shooting indiscriminately in crowded streets with live bullets — six people were killed, and dozens injured. During the mayhem shots were fired at the offices of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions.

Sylvia Maphosa was on her way home from work when she was shot in the back and killed in Harare when soldiers fired live bullets to disperse protesters demanding the release of presidential poll results.

A member of IndustriALL affiliate, the Zimbabwe Energy Workers Union (ZEWU), Maphosa worked at the Zimbabwe National Water Authority.

In its condolence message ZEWU said:

Maphosa was a staunch member of the union who joined ZEWU in 2003 and remained loyal to the organization until her untimely death which shocked everyone who knew her as a humble character.

The union therefore calls for a thorough investigation into the matter to ensure that those responsible for committing this heinous act are brought to book urgently and face the full wrath of the law.

Human Rights Watch has reported beatings and intimidation of opposition supporters by “security forces and unidentified gunmen” in the townships of Harare where most workers live.

The army’s heavy-handedness has been condemned by the UN which is calling for “maximum restraint.”  Further, the EU, Canada, Switzerland and the United States of America deplored “the eruption of violence, and occurrence of serious human rights violations.”

Wiseman Garira, chairperson of the Zimbabwe IndustriALL Council representing eight affiliates in the garment and textile, engineering, chemical and plastics, energy, leather and shoe, metal and mining sectors denounced the way in which the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission managed the polls. For instance, the commission failed to supply the voters roll to opposition parties on time.

Even the results are “questionable and took longer than is necessary” Garira added.

Paule France Ndessomin, IndustriALL regional secretary for Sub Saharan Africa added:

The right to protest is guaranteed in Zimbabwe’s Constitution. In the event of violent protests, it’s the responsibility of the police to maintain law and order, but not the army. Therefore, the use of live bullets against fleeing civilians is deplorable.

Turkey: “Don't touch my picket line”, say dismissed Yves Rocher workers

The dismissed workers were picketing in front of Flormar in the industrial zone of the town of Gebze, near Istanbul since their dismissal on May 14. Security forces removed union banners and forced workers to abandon their picket at the factory gates and move to a less conspicuous location.

IndustriALL Global Union affiliate Petrol-İş immediately intervened with the security services and called civil society and opposition parties to support them in continuing the resistance. Visiting the picket line, the general secretary of the Petrol-İş union, Ahmet Kabaca, said:

"Flormar workers are not criminals. If the security forces are looking for a criminal, it is the employer. None of the workers here did anything illegal. They just defended their rights. I call on the authorities to hear the voice of the workers here and not to disperse them.

“Who is guilty here? The workers who fight for their daily bread or the employer who dismissed them for joining a union? We will continue our resistance, picketing in whatever conditions.

“Workers were fired from this factory and we will keep our resistance at this factory. We refuse to be moved to somewhere that is not connected. This problem cannot be resolved with intimidation. We believe it must be resolved at the negotiating table, and not with police intervention. We will never accept this and we will continue to struggle until victory.

"No pressure will frighten us away,"

On the 87th day of resistance, an IndustriALL delegation joined Petrol-İş leaders on the picket line and found them in very good spirits. Workers chanted “Resistance is beautiful!”, “No justice, no peace!” and “Don’t touch our resistance!” They danced together to popular folk songs as passing drivers hooted their support.

The company had blocked off the factory gates with hired buses, and installed surveillance cameras to spy on the workers. Speaking outside the factory gate, IndustriALL assistant general secretary Kemal Özkan said:

“Resistance is beautiful! You will win because you are all beautiful, and your union Petrol-İş is a strong one that wins its disputes. Your voices are heard not just in Turkey but throughout the whole world. We will continue to support your struggle for justice, and we will win. There will be a union at Flormar.”

Since the Turkish labour ministry granted recognition to Petrol-İş on 24 May, the company has fired 132 union members. Although this is illegal, and the union is fighting the company in the courts, the company hopes to break the momentum of the organizing drive. The union is expected to win court cases for recognition and reinstatement, but the legal process will drag out and the company hopes to use attrition to break workers’ resistance.

Flormar is majority owned by French cosmetics giant Yves Rocher. IndustriALL has contacted the company and also intervened with the French labour ministry in an attempt to resolve the dispute. So far, the company has refused to cooperate, and IndustriALL is running an international campaign.

Iran: IndustriALL escalates union building and solidarity with UMMI

The session, organized by IndustriALL, also aims to strengthen cooperation between the two unions, among others. UMMI organizes metal workers and technicians in industrial sectors in extremely difficult conditions and must keep its activities underground. Birleşik-Metal-İş has experience of this because its predecessor organization was banned after the military coup of 1980.

The meeting was opened by Birleşik-Metal-İş general secretary Özkan Atar, who explained that although his union was banned for 13 years, it now has 32,000 members and 100 collective agreements. He welcomed his guests to the metalworkers’ training facility, saying:

“The unity of the working class everywhere, and solidarity with those in oppressed nations is our principle. We believe that joint struggle is important and we are ready to provide all our solidarity and support to our brothers and sisters in Iran.”

Representatives from UMMI explained how they operate despite severe pressure from authorities. Union president Maziyar Gilaninejad, a technician in a metal factory, said that he had grown up visiting his father in prison for his union activities, and joined UMMI in 1982. The union was forced to operate underground from 1983. Since 2001, it has worked more openly, but is still not allowed to open bank accounts or a union office, and activists are frequently detained.

In June, dozens of protesting steelworkers were arrested. Because some were holding signs with IndustriALL logos, they were subject to intense interrogation from the security forces to find out what IndustriALL is. Despite the repression, the union is able to organize action from workers that wins improvements. Protests and publicizing the behaviour of bad employers has led to the payment of unpaid wages.

The union publishes information for workers in a magazine, which is distributed in workplaces, as well as on its website, Facebook page and through a channel on the secure message app Telegram. The union places a very high priority on education, and trains members in workers’ rights, including international trade union structures and ILO Conventions.

IndustriALL assistant general secretary Kemal Özkan said:

“International capital has moved into Iran, especially in our sectors of automotive and oil and gas. Workers are being exploited by companies we have agreements with in other countries. The affiliation of UMMI is politically important to us, as it can help bring about a change in human and labour rights in Iran. Solidarity between metal workers unions in the region and with IndustriALL is crucial.”

The delegation visited the Bekaert steel cord factory in Izmit. There is a collective bargaining agreement signed by Birleşik-Metal-İş with a very high union density. After conflict in the past, labour relations are now reported to be positive. The UMMI delegation spoke to workers, to the union convenor and the human resources manager to learn how effective industrial relations function.