El-Sen fights for energy democracy in Northern Cyprus

Opposing the privatization of the Cyprus Turkish Electricity Agency (KIB-TEK), El-Sen calls for its transformation into an autonomous body. The union argues that energy policies should prioritize scientific expertise over political interests and insists on the urgent enactment of the autonomy bill, which has languished in Parliament for years.

KIB-TEK is responsible for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity in Northern Cyprus, operating under existing electricity laws. All KIB-TEK employees are members of El-Sen. Meanwhile, Aksa Energy, a private producer, supplies about half of the region’s energy needs but lacks union representation.

El-Sen has raised concerns about the commercialization of energy, including importing electricity from Turkey via cable, citing rising costs for consumers and mismanagement within KIB-TEK. The union has criticized political leaders for inadequate investment in renewable energy, crucial for the region’s future.

At the Sustainable energy policies and autonomous energy management from a global union perspective conference in Nicosia on 25 December, IndustriALL reaffirmed its support for El-Sen.

IndustriALL assistant general secretary Kemal Özkan said:

"Energy is a basic need and a public good. Its production and distribution must be governed by public policies in the public interest. Our solidarity with El-Sen remains strong."

El-Sen President Ahmet Tuğcu stressed that:

"IndustriALL’s backing strengthens our resolve in this struggle."

Following a general strike on 26 December, which brought Northern Cyprus to a standstill, the government withdrew the contested bills, marking a significant victory for the unions.

 

Turkish metal workers continue to resist

In early December last year, Birlesik Metal-Is decided to go on strike in the workplaces: GE Grid Solutions, Hitachi Electric, Schneider Electric, Arıtaş Kriyojenik (part of Dutch Broadview Group) and Green Transfo (part of French Cahors Group) companies in the transformer-production sector. 
 
A Presidential decree on 13 December banned strikes at MESS workplaces for national security reasons. IndustriALL Global and industriAll European Union condemned the ban, urging employers not to exploit this anti-democratic measure.
 
Despite threats of dismissal without severance for participating in a so-called illegal strike, metal workers continued their action, asserting their fundamental right to strike and are already seeing results.
 
On 23 December, Birlesik Metal-Is signed a new collective bargaining agreement with Hitachi and MESS covering four different workplaces of the company with a 60 per cent wage increase in average after a 20-day strike.
 
Similarly, on 6 January, Birlesik Metal-Is signed another collective bargaining agreement with Schneider Elektrik after a 25-day strike covering different factories with substantial wage increases with the approval of the rank-and-file membership.

On 10 January, after 23 strike days, Birlesik Metal-Is signed a collective bargaining agreement at Aritas Kriyojenik and MESS. With this, strikes at three MESS-member companies have ended successfully with union members' approval and satisfaction.
 
The strikes are on the 28th day at GE Grid Solutions, on the 16th day at Green Transfo and 22nd day at Arıtaş as of 9 January. While the strike fire is still on, some negotiations are still going on.
 
IndustriALL’s assistant general secretary, Kemal Özkan, spent New Year’s Eve with the strikers at Green Transfo bringing the solidarity greetings of millions of members of the global and European trade unions. 
 
Meanwhile, members of IndustriALL affiliate Özçelik-Is at Yolbulan Metal in Hatay, Türkiye, have been on strike since 20 June last year, over 200 days, demanding fair wages amid soaring living costs. Kemal Özkan was present in the picket-line delivering a strong message of international solidarity.
 
According to the data announced by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK), the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 44.38 per cent for 2024. According to the Inflation Research Group (ENAG), which consists of independent academics, the inflation rate for 2024 is 83.40 per cent.

Given the high inflation, Turkish workers and their unions continue to demand wages through minimum wage increase and collective bargaining processes accordingly so that purchasing power can be protected.
 

“IndustriAll Europe fully supports Turkish workers in their fight for fair and decent wages that are proportional to the countries high inflation. The fact that workers have been banned from striking is an attack on their rights and we will continue to condemn any anti-union and anti-democratic behaviours. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us,”

said Judith Kirton Darling, industriAll Europe general secretary.
 

“We continue to be side-by-side with all the strikers until the victory arrives,”

said Kemal Özkan during the solidarity visits.

“Our striking Turkish sisters and brothers have the full support of millions of workers throughout the world in their fight for their rights, interests and dignity,”

continued Kemal Özkan. 
 

IndustriALL youth forum explores the future of work with Artificial Intelligence

IndustriALL Assistant General Secretary Kan Matsusaki emphasized the importance of youth involvement, stating:

“Active participation of youth is essential in developing IndustriALL’s AI policy and to build a collective strategy that is responsive and forward-thinking in addressing the challenges and opportunities of AI.”

The forum opened with a look into the impacts of AI on the world of work. Participants explored how AI is reshaping workplaces and considered both the potential risks and benefits for workers. The discussion highlighted that AI systems could enable trade unions to amplify their power, enhance workplace safety, and boost bargaining capacity through data analysis. However, speakers stressed two crucial considerations: AI systems are costly, and their implementation must be purpose-driven.

“Before implementing AI,”

one speaker noted,

“you need to ask yourself: what is the purpose? Without a clear objective, there’s a high risk of wasted time and resources.”

AI’s impact on employment is challenging to predict and varies based on factors such as a country’s economy, workforce demographics, and implementation strategies. While AI excels at non-routine cognitive tasks, making skilled white-collar jobs particularly vulnerable, women workers face additional risks. The International Labour Organization (ILO) projections indicate that women are disproportionately concentrated in clerical and administrative roles, which are highly susceptible to automation. Furthermore, the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields exacerbates gender inequality in an AI-driven economy.

The forum underscored the urgent need to close the digital divide to ensure equitable access to AI opportunities. Participants advocated for expanding digital infrastructure in the Global South and extending it to rural and marginalized communities. Ensuring access to devices and implementing digital literacy programs were identified as crucial steps in empowering young workers to thrive in a digital landscape.

Trade unionists were advised to focus not on mastering programming skills but on understanding the objectives behind AI systems implemented by employers. This strategic analysis enables unions to effectively negotiate and advocate for fair and ethical AI use.

Participants explored existing AI regulations, with examples from the European Union and Ontario state in Canada. The consensus was to integrate new AI rules into existing frameworks, strengthening established protections rather than creating redundant systems. This approach streamlines implementation while safeguarding workers’ rights.

Speakers also encouraged young unionists to engage with broader societal debates on AI ethics, noting that collaboration with other social movements could lead to more comprehensive responses to AI-related challenges and ethics.

The ecological footprint of AI was another key focus. The energy-intensive nature of data centres and AI infrastructure raises significant environmental concerns. Participants called for greater union emphasis on addressing these issues within the broader climate change agenda. IndustriALL’s unique position at the heart of industries central to the AI value chain offers an opportunity to influence sustainable AI practices.

Dorcas Norupiri, a member of IndustriALL’s Industry 4.0 expert group, urged deliberate action to build an inclusive digital economy:

“We need to take deliberate measures to ensure equal access to infrastructure, tools, and resources for all youth, regardless of geographical location.”

The forum concluded with a strong commitment to equipping young leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to shape AI’s trajectory. As IndustriALL continues to develop its AI policy, the active participation of youth remains pivotal to crafting a collective strategy that safeguards workers’ rights while embracing innovation.

Image 1: This article is accompanied by an AI-generated image designed to reflect the forum’s themes.

Nexperia Philippines dismisses four union leaders

Nexperia Philippines Inc Workers’ Union is affiliated with IndustriALL Global Union through Metal Workers Alliance of the Philippines (MWAP). After Nexperia Philippines Inc. Workers’ Union successfully negotiated a return to work for workers laid off in October, the union resumed collective bargaining with the employer.

But yesterday, Nexperia Philippines dismissed four union leaders, accusing them of having blocked entry and exit points on 15 November. However, the union officials were merely updating members on the status of collective bargaining.

The union says that the action demonstrates the employer’s bad faith in the CBA negotiations and aims to undermine the union. The union has been subjected to union busting and unfair labour practices throughout the year, and several strike notices have been filed for ongoing disputes.

MWAP secretary Julius Carandang, says:

“The nearly year-long CBA negotiations have caused significant pressure on the workers, resulting in a deadlock forcing them to file a strike notice. This action is a clear response to management's inaction in addressing the union’s reasonable demands for better working conditions and adequate benefits.

“MWAP’s call for unity among all workers, particularly in the electronics sector, is crucial in demonstrating collective strength against any form of exploitation. The fight of Nexperia workers is also the fight of all Filipino workers striving for humane treatment, fair wages and job security.”

Alexander Ivanou, IndustriALL director of ICT, electrical and electronics industries, says:

“IndustriALL strongly condemns the unjust dismissal of four union leaders, including the union president. This is a blatant attack on workers' rights aimed at undermining the union and its collective bargaining efforts. The retaliatory actions confirm the company’s bad faith and persistent union-busting throughout 2024. We stand in solidarity with the union and call on Nexperia to reinstate the dismissed leaders immediately and respect workers’ rights to fair treatment and negotiation.”

Photo credit: MWAP 

Global unions demand progress on UN treaty on corporate accountability

The open-ended intergovernmental working group on transitional corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights, was established in 2014. It's mandate is to develop an international legally binding instrument to regulate, in international human rights law, activities of transnational corporations and other business enterprises.

The proposed treaty, under discussion for nearly a decade, aims to close glaring gaps in international human rights law and end corporate impunity. Despite its significance, progress has stalled. The tenth round of negotiations, initially delayed, now presents a critical opportunity to move forward.

“Workers cannot wait any longer. A treaty to hold corporations accountable is essential to ensure justice, protect rights, and restore balance in the global economy,”

says Kemal Özkan, IndustriALL assistant general secretary.

In a joint effort, global unions and civil society organizations reiterate the need for a transparent and inclusive process that prioritises the voices of working people.

Trade union priorities for the treaty include:

“The tenth round of negotiations for a UN binding treaty is at a critical stage. We need international binding rules on justice for workers and people, as well as accountability and responsibility for business. It is time to act together for a strong treaty,”

says Kemal Özkan.

Türkiye: metalworkers’ strike banned again

The industrial action, organized by the Birlesik Metal-Is (United Metalworkers’ Union), began on 4 December at Hitachi's Kartal, Tuzla, Dilovasi, and Dudullu plants. On 13 December, the strike expanded to GE Grid Solutions, Hitachi Electric, Schneider Electric and Arıtaş factories. Approximately 2,000 workers, all members of Birlesik Metal-Is, participated to demand wage increases aligned with Turkey’s soaring inflation.

Negotiations with employers' federation MESS had broken down after management offered a 40 per cent wage increase—a proposal deemed insufficient, as it would leave workers earning below the poverty line. The union, in contrast, demanded a 125 per cent increase to offset real wage losses and secure a living wage for its members.

On 13 December, the Turkish government issued a decree postponing the strikes for 60 days, citing national security concerns. Under Turkish legislation, once a strike is postponed, workers are effectively prevented from resuming their action, as disputes must then proceed to compulsory arbitration.

The union strongly disputes the legitimacy of the government’s justification. The affected workplaces produce transformers exclusively for export, posing no discernible risk to domestic security. “Transformer manufacturing factories cannot violate national security,” a union representative stated.

According to the union, local management has sent messages to the striking workers that they must return back the work. It is also reported that police forces were invited around the workplaces to scare workers off from industrial action, as well as reports that striking workers are receiving threats of retaliation with dismissals if they don’t go back to work.

Atle Høie and Judith Kirton-Darling, general secretaries of IndustriALL Global and industriAll Europe, call on employers to respect workers' rights and refrain from enforcing the ban.

“It is evident that legislation is being misused to undermine the right to strike in Türkiye,”

the letter states, highlighting previous rulings by the Turkish Constitutional Court and the International Labour Organization (ILO) affirming the right to strike as a fundamental labour right.

“This is totally unacceptable. Workers deserve fair and decent wages, and the right to collective bargaining must be upheld. We stand with Turkish workers and their unions in this fight.”

Photos: Birleşik Metal İşçileri Sendikası

Iranian steelworkers face retaliation for demanding decent working conditions

A strike in December 2023 was triggered by the company suspending 21 workers and not delivering on promises of wage equality and job classification. Workers demanded the reinstatement of the dismissed workers, alignment of salaries with other steel companies and the implementation of a job classification plan.

Despite management initially pledging to address the demands, little progress has been made. Tensions escalated in October, when four long-serving employees were dismissed for advocating for workers’ rights. Hosein Rezaee, has 17 years of service, Saeed Halvaei, 19 years’ service, Morteza Akbarian, 17 years’ service and Masoud Navaser, was due for retirement.

Union leaders are calling for solidarity to secure the reinstatement of all dismissed workers, emphasizing that their actions were a legitimate defence of workers’ rights and benefits.

IndustriALL assistant general secretary Kemal Özkan says:

“The workers are targeted in response to legitimate industrial action. Trade unionism is not a crime. IndustriALL Global Union strongly supports the fight for reinstatement of the dismissed workers and urges NISC to immediately engage with the workers and their representatives to address their demands.”

Bangladesh: nine per cent annual increment not enough

The minimum wage was last revised in Bangladesh in November 2023 when the government increased the wage of an-entry level garment worker from BDT8,000 (US$66) to BDT12,500 (US$104), with an annual increment of five per cent. Unions, including IndustriALL affiliates, had called for a minimum wage of BDT23,000 (US$190), with a ten per cent annual increment, but the final wage increase was more in accordance with the proposal made by the owners of garment factories. This led to massive protests in Dhaka which were met with brutal police action leading to killings of workers and filing of criminal cases against union leaders.

Nazma Akter, executive committee member of IndustriALL and president of Sommilito Garments Sramik Federation, says:

“With inflation hovering above eleven per cent, the additional annual increment of four per cent is a pittance. RMG workers are unable to survive given no real wage growth and the rising cost of living. We urge the government to set up a new minimum wage board as soon as possible and revise the wage taking into account workers’ needs and ensure that they are paid living wages and not starvation wages.”

Together with affliates, IndustriALL is pushing for legally binding sectoral negotiations to improve working conditions and wages in the industry. Through the joint dialogue platform between employers, trade unions, and buyers within the Action, Collaboration, Transformation (ACT) initiative, IndustriALL is developing a joint approach to collective bargaining, supported by relevant purchasing practices of the global buyers.

Atle Høie, general secretary of IndustriALL, says:

“We believe there is a need to build a comprehensive framework that allows for collective bargaining negotiations at the industry level to improve working conditions and wages and ensure that brand purchasing practices directly support collective bargaining. This is a unique time for workers and employers in Bangladesh to establish a better and fairer RMG industry and we invite employers’ associations to jointly work with us towards this goal.”

Photo credit: ILO Asia Pacific Flickr

Unions push for a Just Transition in the textile and garment sector

Providing an overview of the industry, which employs more than 300 million workers globally, IndustriALL’s Christina Hajagos-Clausen pointed out the challenges of informal work, inadequate social protection and inequalities in social dialogue.

The growing pressure on brands to integrate circular economy principles will impact jobs in the industry. Participants from South Africa raised concerns about the influx of second-hand clothing disrupting local industries, stressing the need to boost intra-African trade to foster sustainable growth.

“There is not a one-size-fits-all solution; we need tailored solutions that address regional and sectoral disparities. As unions, we need to ensure we have a strong role and a strong political position,”

said Christina Hajagos-Clausen.

IndustriALL gender director Armelle Seby and industriAll Europe’s Maike Niggemann, emphasized the absence of gender equality in existing Just Transition plans, urging unions to adopt a gender-transformative approach, addressing systemic inequalities like occupational segregation and unequal pay. This topic will be further developed in a joint project by industriAll Europe and IndustriALL Global.

“Access to reskilling and upskilling programmes must be equitable. We need quotas to ensure that women are not left behind in emerging green jobs.”

IndustriAll Europe presented their work with their textile social partners, the European Commission and the ILO on working towards a Just Transition in the sector. At cross sectoral level, industriAll Europe has developed a Just Transition Manifesto in consultation with affiliates, calling for comprehensive Just Transition legal framework with strengthened rights to social dialogue, and the establishment of an EU Just Transition Observatory. The possibility of using some of these demands for a textiles sector global handbook for a Just Transition was raised.

Judith Kirton Darling, general secretary for industriAll Europe said:

“Just Transition means ”Nothing about us, without us”. Workers must have the rights, capacities and resources to anticipate and manage the change. This poses major challenges in the global textile supply chain with many informal non-organized workers. European brands must take their commitments globally and ensure that the transition is fair along the supply chain.’’

Belgium’s trade unions provided a national win after much negotiation with companies with over 20 employees now required to negotiate annual training plans with unions. This ensures workers receive training aligned with transition needs, a model that could be replicated elsewhere.

Accountability and corporate responsibility
Participants were unanimous in holding brands accountable for their role in the sector’s challenges. US union Workers United stressed that voluntary measures are insufficient and legally binding agreements are needed ensure brands contribute to worker protection funds.

The ITUC JTC’s director, Giulia Laganà, agreed.

“It is not up to consumers to change a system that is broken – corporates, governments and multilateral institutions need to act to clean up value chains, ensuring real social and environmental sustainability.”

SEWA India highlighted the plight of informal and home-based workers, many of whom lack minimum wages or social protection and called on brands in the global North to be held accountable calling for a global framework that enforces labour rights throughout supply chains.

Bulgarian participants pointed out the potential opportunities and challenges of the move to a more circular economy stressing recycling companies claim to be a part of the circular economy, but that the workers are not organized and there is no collective bargaining. A clear example of the demand for new ‘’green’’ jobs to be decent jobs with workers’ rights including freedom of association to be respected and participants were encouraged to identify growth areas like textile recycling.

The workshop concluded with a consensus on developing a political document and roadmap for textile workers worldwide to help navigate the move to more sustainable production while ensuring a Just Transition for all. The manifesto will outline union priorities, sector-specific solutions, and practical tools for achieving a Just Transition.

Photo: garment factory, Zimbabwe, September 2024

Pharmaceutical unions in Asia Pacific unite to build collective power

Asia Pacific’s pharmaceutical market is expected grow six to eight per cent by 2030 due to expanding healthcare infrastructure and growing domestic manufacturing facilities. The region also holds the largest chemical market share of 61.8 percent of world chemical sales.

High energy prices and shifting production locations, vulnerabilities in supply chains during the Covid-19 pandemic, a shortage of skilled professionals, a high prevalence of counterfeit drugs, geopolitical tensions and integration of big data are some of the challenges faced.

Participants unanimously agreed that unions must focus their efforts on organizing to build collective power. They called for an inclusive organizing strategy to increase white collar, women and youth membership. Gender equality should also be mainstreamed at all levels of union structures.

Sector chair Masato Shinohara said:

“Solidarity and collective action are important for organizing the pharmaceutical industry. By working together, we can strengthen the collective power of workers. Through IndustriALL, we can strengthen our rank-and-file members, take on the challenges and achieve common goals.”

The unionists also debated how to strengthen existing pharmaceutical trade union networks, upskilling in the event of automation, using GFA as leverage in negotiating collective agreements, and implementing good safety and health practices.
USW local 12075 president, Kent Holsing shared experiences and practices in building trade union networks in multinational companies, like Dow Du Pont.

The network committed to work on the following companies and topics:

Tom Grinter, IndustriALL director of chemicals and pharmaceuticals, said:

“Almost half of the global chemical and pharmaceuticals industry is in Asia-Pacific, and around 70 per cent of all the sector’s workers are in this region. Our sector has an ambitious plan of action in the region, empowering unions through networks in the different parts of the industry and in the big companies. 2025 will be an important year for supporting unions in this region in their organizing and campaigning efforts in the sector.”

The EssilorLuxxotica trade union network meeting and the Indonesian pulp and paper union network meeting were held back-to-back on 2-5 December.