IndustriALL and PSI sign global responsible employer agreement with EDF

Today, Jean-Bernard Lévy, CEO and Chairman of the EDF Group, along with IndustriALL general secretary Valter Sanches and Rosa Pavanelli, Public Services International general secretary, signed a new global responsibility agreement covering human and labour rights at the International Labour Organization in Geneva and in the presence of Guy Ryder, ILO Director General. IndustriALL French affiliates CFE-CGC and CFDT were also present.

The global agreement exists thanks to the commitment of all negotiating parties. It is the result of a collaborative negotiation process involving 11 national union federations for companies within the EDF Group and global union federations, IndustriALL Global Union and PSI. The 13 federations are signatories to the agreement which encompasses a number of significant and innovative commitments to social responsibility.

These include:

More generally, this agreement promotes human rights, diversity, health and safety, skills development and social protection for the company’s employees and subcontractors wherever the Group is based as well as the principle of a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies for all.

This new Group agreement replaces a previous agreement on social and environmental responsibility signed by EDF in 2005 and renewed in 2009. The purpose of this new text is to incorporate new social requirements for employees and support EDF’s international development in keeping with the company’s public service values. It complements the 6 corporate responsibility targets set by EDF in favour of the energy transition and the Group’s Cap 2030 strategy. Implementation of the agreement will be overseen by an international supervisory committee.

After signing the agreement, Jean-Bernard Lévy announced:

I am sure that our CSR strategy is a key factor in the EDF Group’s sustainable performance, as demonstrated by this agreement. The Group is reiterating its commitment to the balanced development of its activities around the world. Human rights, diversity, health and safety, skills development and social protection for the company’s employees and subcontractors form the foundations of this commitment.

Valter Sanches, general secretary of IndustriALL Global Union explained:

The negotiation process of the global framework agreement with EDF was done in a frank and transparent manner. The GFA is an achievement where all parties have been involved, resulting in clear commitments on supply chain management, as well as active implementation and monitoring of the global agreement. Now we need to put it into action and ensure that the GFA is beneficial to all parties.

Rosa Pavanelli, general secretary of Public Services International, declared:

With this renewed agreement, EDF Group commits itself to uphold a high standard of human and labour rights wherever it operates. The next step is to effectively implement these commitments to the shop floor and secure local management ownership of the agreement, in cooperation with trade union representatives. This renegotiated text also marks one of the first corporate commitments to country-by-country tax reporting.

This agreement also includes provisions for trade union involvement in the company’s programmes to ensure the protection of whistleblowers. We will closely and relentlessly scrutinize the effective implementation and follow-up of all commitments in this agreement, working with our global membership and allies.

Kazakhstan: independent union leader freed

In May 2017, Yeleusinov was sentenced to two years in prison for alleged embezzlement of union funds, as well as public insult, assault, and refusal to follow police orders.

The real reason for his arrest was his part in organizing mass protests against the dissolution of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Kazakhstan (KNPRK), to which OCC trade union was affiliated.

Nurbek Kushakbayev, deputy chair of the KNPRK, was arrested as part of the same case, and remains in prison, but is likely to be freed soon. He was sentenced to two and a half years for instigating an illegal workers’ strike. On 10 May, the court issued a decision on his parole. He is expected to be freed at the end of the month.

In the summer of 2017, former KNPRK chairperson Larisa Kharkova was sentenced to four years of restricted freedom of movement and 100 hours of compulsory labour. She was banned from holding any position in a public or non-governmental organization for five years. Her appeal against her sentence was not upheld.

In April 2018, KNPRK, in recognition of its three convicted leaders, was awarded the Arthur Svensson International Prize for Trade Union Rights, established by IndustriALL affiliate Industri Energi.

Kemal Özkan, IndustriALL assistant general secretary, says:

“IndustriALL is delighted to learn of the liberation of Amin Yeleusinov. We look forward to the imminent release of Nurbek Kushakbaev.

“However, the situation in Kazakhstan remains critical. The trade union of Oil Construction Company is likely to face dissolution, meaning that the authorities of Kazakhstan continue to attack independent trade unions.”

Shell unable to answer worker questions at AGM

IndustriALL Global Union’s assistant general secretary, Kemal Özkan, and trade union leaders from Brazil, Nigeria, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia and Uganda raised questions during the AGM on workers’ rights violations at Shell operations concerning precarious work, unequal pay, poverty wages, union busting and health and safety.

The action is part of IndustriALL’s campaign to get Shell to live up to its stated commitments to respect the rights of its direct employees and workers’ in its supply chains.

Shell chairman Charles Holliday said these issues should be addressed locally and he directed the trade union leaders to a helpdesk in the foyer of the Circustheater where the AGM was taking place. However, it turned out there was no one there. 

Kemal Özkan went back into the AGM, pointed out there was nobody at the help desk and urged Shell to meet IndustriALL and its affiliates. Shell then arranged for several staff to take detailed notes of violations reported by IndustriALL trade unions, which represent thousands of workers at Shell operations. The Shell chairman later came out to speak personally to IndustriALL and trade union leaders. 

Oil and gas giant, Shell, has repeatedly said it will not deal with unions on a global level. However, Kemal Özkan told the chairman:

“We are not expecting to replace any local level negotiation, on the contrary we are seeking an environment where local level negotiation and dialogue continues…Issues are not being addressed on the ground, which is why we are here. When there is no response to dialogue we need to bring it to the shareholders’ meeting.” 

IndustriALL also brought up problems with contracting out and violations of the supplier code with the chairman.

Earlier in the morning, IndustriALL affiliates representing workers at Shell operations in 12 countries staged a demonstration outside the AGM calling for a halt to precarious work at Shell.  Contractors outnumber permanent workers two to one at the company and do the most dangerous jobs. 

IndustriALL and affiliated trade unions from Belgium, Brazil, Iraq, Morocco, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda and USA gathered in The Hague for the Shell Global Union Network meeting that began after the AGM on 22 May and continued the next day.  

IndustriALL’s energy director, Diana Junquera Curiel, gave an overview of the latest developments in the global oil and gas industry as well as results of a recent survey of Shell operations. 

The survey of 25 worksites, representing more than 20,000 permanent and precarious workers, showed that contract work is increasing and contract workers have less pay and worse working conditions. 

Williams Akporeha, President of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers said that Nigeria was the “headquarters of precarious work”. All of Shell’s operations in Nigeria are carried out by contract workers. 

In a discussion on health and safety, Hasan Jumaah Saddawi from the Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions said Shell workers in Iraq are working in polluted and contaminated sites and have high risk of cancers and infertility. He called for Shell to take responsibility for Iraqi workers’ health (who are treated less preferably than the foreign workers) and to help with the clean up in the contaminated areas. 

IndustriALL and the Shell Global Union Network also support Brazilian affiliate FERAESP in demanding that trade union leaders fired by Shell joint venture Raizen for their union membership are reinstated. 

“The global union network at Shell has re-committed itself to the campaign. We will continue to reach out to Shell’s stakeholders and expose the truth about how Shell abuses its workforce. We will escalate these efforts until Shell lives up to its commitments to respect workers’ rights and addresses our concerns about the abuse of precarious workers,” asserted Kemal Özkan.

ST Microelectronics trade union network demands global dialogue

The STMicroelectronics trade union network was established in 2016, and represents ST workers from France, Italy, Malaysia, Malta and Morocco, as part of IndustriALL Global Union. The purpose of the network is to unite STMicroelectronics trade unions around the world to increase collective power and engage with the company at the global level.

STMicroelectronics is a multinational which employs more than 45,000 worldwide. Because the company operates globally, STMicroelectronics needs to upgrade its social responsibility policy and ensure its effective implementation. The company should also work together with trade unions around the world to achieve sustainable labour-management relations and contribute to a positive public image.

A new CEO of the company will be appointed on 31 May. Therefore, the network today released the following statement:

"The nomination of a new CEO for STMicroelectronics should be an opportunity to define a new development strategy for STMicroelectronics. Means exist to that end: the strong growth of the semiconductor market has enabled STMicroelectronics to experience strong growth of its sales and its profitability, with a net income of $802M (up $165M from 2016). These resources must be used to realise industrial investments, support job creation and ensure a social return for the workers. 

“The ongoing discussions we have between ST trade unions highlight that, across every site, there are several important social issues. There is a great need to improve and reinforce the social dialogue within the company. It is necessary that the new global management of ST negotiate a global framework agreement with the international trade union network to ensure a common base of fundamental rights for all STMicroelectronics workers and to set up a global works council."

Organizing the diamond mining industry in Lesotho

 High in the Maluti mountains of Lesotho, in the Leribe region, at an elevation of 3,100 metres above sea level, operators such as the United Kingdom’s Gem Diamonds Letšeng mine produce high colour and quality diamonds. Although some of the diamonds produced in the mountain kingdom are rated at the highest price per carat production in the world, the lives of mineworkers and communities adjacent to the mines reflect a different reality of poverty.

The Independent Democratic Union of Lesotho (IDUL) is an active participant in IndustriALL Global Union’s diamond global network, which integrates the whole supply chain of the diamond industry, namely mining, gems, ornament and jewellery production. Major challenges confront the global diamond industry supply chain, including in Lesotho, and building strong unions lies at the heart of sustainable solutions to those challenges.

“The luxury diamond, mining, gems, ornament and jewellery production industry does not reflect the harsh reality of the working conditions suffered by those working in the sector, including women,” said Dan Theko, general secretary of IDUL.

IDUL has undertaken the task of organizing these mineworkers. Recognizing the scale task of organizing in mines buried deep in the remote mountain valleys of the Maluti mountains, IDUL invited IndustriALL and affiliate the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) to assist and participate in its organizing drive.

The organizing drive, conducted in a freezing cold mountain winter, involved a two-day training workshop and an organizing and recruitment drive at British miners Firestone Diamonds’ flagship Liqhobong mine. General secretary Daniel Theko led his organizers in the four-day activity.

Besides the Liqhobong mine, IDUL has identified the Mothae mine, owned by Canadian Lucara Diamond, the Kao mine, owned by Namakwa Ltd of Bermuda, the Letšeng mine and the Lemphane mine, owned by British Paragon Diamonds, for organizing and recruitment drives. These mines are in various stages of development or initial production.

“The diamond industry is under greater pressure to improve its social and environmental performance, while workers face challenges of job security, trade union rights and achieving the decent work agenda,”

says Glen Mpufane, director of mining and diamond, gems, ornaments and jewellery production, who led the organizing and recruitment drive. The Sub-Saharan Africa regional office was represented by regional programme officer Charles Kumbi.

The vision of IDUL is to become the fastest growing mining union in Lesotho. NUMSA has committed to strengthening relationships with IDUL to realize that vision while IndustriALL, through its union building project, will continue to train and to build capacity to this new emerging union in Lesotho. Organizing in the diamond mining sector in Lesotho is a new initiative by IDUL since its formation from a merger process in 2015.

French cosmetics brand Yves Rocher dismisses 100+ union members

Turkish union Petrol-Is, affiliated to IndustriALL Global Union, conducted an organizing campaign at Kosan Kozmetik, who produces for global cosmetics brand Yves Rocher.

In April, local management dismissed 14 members of Petrol-Is due to their union membership. In addition, management continued to pressure and intimidate workers, undermining their legitimate rights to join a union at the plant.

As the workers refused to give up their affiliation with Petrol-Is, management dismissed six more union members on 11 May. On 15 May, Kosan Kozmetik sacked 65 workers over their involvement in trade union work, bringing the total number of dismissed workers to 85.

The situation in Turkey is deteriorating; local management of Yves Rocher continues to dismiss union members and as of 18 May a total of 115 workers have been dismissed.

Petrol-Is and its members are picketing in front of the factory and taking action, and legal steps have been taken for all cases of dismissal as the termination of contracts due to union membership is unjustified.

IndustriALL Global Union is calling on Yves Rocher’s management to respect trade union rights, reinstate the dismissed union members and enter into dialogue with Petrol-İş.

Valter Sanches, IndustriALL general secretary says:

It is completely unacceptable for such well-known global brand not to respect fundamental rights in its subsidiaries. We expect Yves Rocher to immediately address the situation.

Kosan Kozmetik’s behaviour is in blatant violation of Turkish labour law, as well as fundamental international labour standards, including Convention 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize, and Convention 98 on the Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining of the International Labour Organization.

Based in Rennes, France, Yves Rocher is a worldwide cosmetics and beauty brand. The company is present in 88 countries and employs 13,500 people, not including more than 215,000 people employed through indirect jobs. Kosan Kozmetik employs 400 workers, and produces the brand Flormar, the number one make-up brand in Turkey with a 21 per cent market share. The plant also exports products to the markets of 104 countries, primarily in developing countries.

Latin America and the Caribbean activates its strategic plan for the region

"The theme of the conference, ´Democracy & Social Justice´, considers the current situation of the continent. Threats to democracy persist, neoliberal restoration in Argentina and Brazil, coups in Honduras, Paraguay and Brazil, electoral frauds in Honduras and Mexico, and there is a strong need to elect progressive governments in Colombia and Mexico.”

explained IndustriALL general secretary Valter Sanches at the beginning of the meeting.

The conference was attended by the deputy minister of Labour and Labour Development of Panama, Zulphy Santamaria, who pointed out that, unlike these realities, Panama is committed to social and tripartite dialogue to ensure respect for labour rights.

Sanches then opened a debate on trade agreements and their impact on workers. They concluded that trade unions must influence the agreements and ensure decent work.

They also stressed the need for solidarity action in countries where serious violations of trade union rights still persist. They held a street rally in defence of democracy in Brazil, in favour of restoring the rule of law, and called for the release of former president Lula da Silva. In turn, they committed themselves to providing solidarity with the workers of Goodyear in Mexico.

The delegates emphasized the importance of spreading IndustriALL's campaign to fight violence against women, and signed the pledge on behalf of each of the trade unions present. They also reinforced the need to reach the 40 per cent quota of women's participation in the executive committee of IndustriALL as of the 2020 world congress.

In addition, a session was dedicated to Industry 4.0 and to the growing need to promote trade unions as political and social actors, in order to achieve a sustainable industry and an energy transition.

Deputy general secretary Kemal Özkan presented the new IndustriALL document on the challenges of Industry 4.0. He explained that trade unions, employers and governments need to promote human-centered technologies and create better consequences for workers.

At the same time, regional secretary Marino Vani presented a new organizational structure, made up of four macro sectors (light industry, mobility, energy and manufacturing), bringing together the 14 sectors represented by IndustriALL. The aim is to strengthen unionization and collective bargaining, and to monitor compliance with global framework agreements and trade union networks in supply chains.

Finally, Valter Sanches announced that the third world congress of IndustriALL will be held in South Africa and indicated that at the November meeting of the executive committee in Mexico City, the working groups for the construction of its programme will be defined. 

In turn, he emphasized that the region will have an outstanding and active participation in Mexico, where he will highlight the transformations that took place in the various countries.

Russia: Dissolution of ITUWA overruled

On 22 May, the second session of the Supreme Court was held to judge ITUWA's appeal against its dissolution.

During the hearing, the union reported that the prosecutor's office of Saint Petersburg had never sent the list of violations with possible remedies. The prosecutor's office insisted on the most extreme measure, demanding ITUWA's dissolution, instead of the suspension of the activities of the union.

Prosecutors argued that there were irreparable violations which lead to the dissolution: Firstly, the union statutes do not specify which constituent regions of the Russian Federation are covered by the organization, which they claimed is in violation of its legal status as an interregional public organization.

Further, the prosecutor's office claimed that members of the union should be united by occupation, and ITUWA includes temporarily unemployed people, retired workers and students as well as workers. According to the union, this is not contrary to existing legislation.

Finally, the prosecutors argued that ITUWA violated the law on foreign agents in connection with political activities, such as the publication of materials against tax increases for truckers, and collecting signatures online in support of modifications to the Labour Code, and assistance from abroad.

The union pointed out that it was not subject to the legislation on foreign agents, that the publication of materials on socially significant issues was its right, and funding from IndustriALL was targeted and carried out within the normal practice of cooperation with the international trade union movement. ITUWA has been affiliated to IndustriALL since 2007. 

The prosecutor's office tried to convince the Supreme Court judges that the liquidation of ITUWA was not a violation of workers' rights, but would aid the creation of a new organization that would meet all the legal requirements. The judges did not credit these arguments and overruled the earlier decision.

ITUWA will hold a congress in autumn to develop a new position on union activities, and may consider changes to the statutes.

Alexey Etmanov, president of ITUWA, says,

“My congratulations to all for the victory! This is the victory for the entire trade union movement, including IndustriALL, the Confederation of Labour of Russia (KTR), as well as the affiliates of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia (FNPR), which supported us. But we have won a battle, not a war. A luta continua! We will not allow the destruction of trade unions, our strength is in unity and solidarity”.

In January, eight FNPR affiliates of IndustriALL issued a joint statement, declaring that the Saint Petersburg city court decision not only blatantly violates the rights of workers and the trade unions representing their interests, but it also moves the proper regulation of trade union activities in Russia out of national and international legal frameworks. IndustriALL affiliates in CIS countries also expressed solidarity with ITUWA.

Kemal Özkan, IndustriALL assistant general secretary, comments,

“We welcome this decision of the Supreme Court, which confirms that the activities of ITUWA have always been genuine, legitimate and legal trade union work. However, this is not enough. We expect the Russian authorities to amend the current law on non-profit organizations to avoid such attacks against trade unions and guarantee a legal framework for their activities”. 

Ethiopia: Meeting stirs debate on living wages

With support from the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, key players at the discussions in Addis Ababa on 22 May, including the ILO, reminded the government of Ethiopia of its obligations to fully implement Convention 87 on freedom of association and the right to organize. Further, the country should also implement a decent work agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Social dialogue will also stop union-bashing tactics by some employers that include terminating, transferring or demoting union leaders to weaken the union.

The 55,000 strong IndustriALL Global Union affiliate, the Industrial Federation of Textile, Leather and Garment Workers Union (IFTLGWU), 56 per cent of whose members are women, says workers should be paid decent wages to live better lives and be able to look after their families.

The Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions (CETU), to which IFTLGWU is affiliated, supports the proposal and calls for minimum wages that meet workers’ needs. Government officials, the Ethiopian Investment Corporation, global brands and the Ayka Addis textile company, who were present at the meeting, discussed how decent wages benefitted workers. The government emphasized the importance of social dialogue that included trade unions, employers and government.

With the list of global brands from North America, Europe, China and Asia sourcing from Ethiopia increasing, and 20 brands including Peter Van Heusen, Quadrant Apparel, Epic Apparel and Ontex Hygiene Disposables already sourcing from Hawassa Industrial Park, calls are being made for wages to be pegged using international benchmarks. When fully operational, the park will house factories employing 60,000 workers. However, unions are questioning why they are being denied access to recruit members at Hawassa.

Says Masho Beriku, from CETU’s external and public relations department: “We are fighting for living wages and for Ethiopian workers’ rights. Therefore, we want restrictions stopping unions from organizing to be removed. This will enable us to grow the CETU membership from the current 550,000 to our target of two million. We also would like labour law reforms to protect workers’ rights.”

Ethiopia’s Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Hirut Woldemariam, says in a statement: “We are living in a society and an economy that is driven by globalization. The textile and garment sector is a notable globalized business with high female proportion in its labour force. With the establishment of industrial parks, our country has positioned itself in supply chains in the garments sector”.

The meeting was attended by affiliates from Bangladesh and South Africa who shared experiences on campaigning for better wages and collective bargaining.

Korean union leader Han Sang-gyun released from prison

Brother Han served two years, five months and 12 days of a five-year sentence on charges related to protesting the corruption of the government of former President Park Geun-hye. Former KCTU general secretary Sister Lee Young-Joo remains in prison.

Brother Han was sentenced to five years in prison after being falsely accused of “leading a violent protest” for his part in organizing a mass mobilization of 130,000 people against the Park government in November 2015. This mass mobilization sparked a series of large protests culminating in the candlelight vigil movement and a demonstration by one million people a year later, on 12 November 2016, where IndustriALL was represented by general secretary Valter Sanches. The mobilization led to the impeachment, removal from power and imprisonment of President Park.

On several occasions the leadership of IndustriALL visited brother Han in prison and reaffirmed its commitment of solidarity.

Brother Han was warmly welcomed outside the prison by his mother and KTCU comrades. Flowers and messages of support were received from around the world, and a letter from IndustriALL was read out.

Thanking the international labour movement for its solidarity, KMWU president Kim Ho-gyu said:

“We extend our deepest gratitude to all of you, who have shone the light of international society upon his case through solidarity actions and visits, reminding the South Korean government that the world has not forgotten our imprisoned trade union leaders.

“The spotlight you shone on Han led many in the world to know what it is to be elected a trade union leader in South Korea, and it is extremely moving for the imprisoned to receive your solidarity; however, besides Han there are still many prisoners of conscience in prisons in South Korea.”

IndustriALL Global Union general secretary Valter Sanches recalled taking action with Brother Han in 2009 against Ssangyong, and sent a message to the KCTU, saying:

“We have a long history of struggle together. We will keep fighting until Sister Lee and all the other trade unionists are free from jail.

“The solidarity that we mobilized on behalf of the Korean people to put down the anti-union Park Geun-hye government will continue until we get everyone free from prison.”

Brother Han is a member of IndustriALL affiliate the Korean Metal Workers’ Union (KMWU). He was originally an autoworker who led a major strike at Ssangyong Motor during the global crisis in 2009, as well as a movement against mass dismissals and precarious work afterwards.

Han was later elected president of the KCTU. He built a coalition with social forces and led a massive struggle against the regressive labour laws introduced by the Park government in collusion with large corporations, as well as resisting the closure of democratic space.

Although the new government of President Moon calls itself a “government of candlelight” and has promised to respect the labour movement, the KTCU remains concerned that Sister Lee, as well as other trade unionists and prisoners of conscience, remain in jail.

The international trade union movement joins the 800,000 members of the KTCU in warmly welcoming Brother Han back to a world which has been changed by the candlelight movement he sparked.