Pakistan: mine deaths highlight urgent need to ratify ILO C176

According to reports, a boulder fell on workers at the coalmine following a landslide on 24 July 2016.  Sabir Khan, Sardar Ali and Ameenullah died as result of their injuries, while Arfan Khan was seriously hurt. All victims are contract workers aged between 30 and 35.

IndustriALL Global Union is campaigning for more countries to ratify ILO Convention No.176 which requires a proper legal and inspection framework for mine safety and that companies create a safe working environment. It also gives workers the right to independent safety representatives and to refuse unsafe work.

Balochistan’s coalmines are known for their poor and hazardous working conditions. The recent accident took place at Shahrigh coalmine No. 18, which is located in Balochistan province and operated by the state owned Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC).

An IndustriALL survey of reported mine accidents since 2010 shows that 243 workers have died in around 40 mine accidents. Since January 2016 alone, 33 workers have died in incidents at Pakistan mines.

IndustriALL has reported on several mining deaths in Pakistan in 2016 alone, showing the critical problems faced by mine workers in the country that include precarious work, deadly working conditions, poor mine inspections, absence of basic and emergency medical care around mines and a callous attitude of employers and government officials towards workers and their safety.

IndustriALL Pakistan Council and Pakistan Central Mines Labour Federation (PCMLF) have condemned the recent deaths, while IndustriALL’s regional secretary Apoorva Kaiwar said:

“It is unacceptable that avoidable deaths are continuing in Pakistan mines. It is high-time that the government, authorities and employers take safety issues seriously. In addition to implementing existing statutory provisions regarding mine operations, the government should take immediate steps to ratify ILO Convention 176 on Safety and Health in Mines.”

ILO C176 has only been ratified by 31 countries – and many countries with the worst safety record have not signed up.

Unions meet with EDF management for annual GFA evaluation

The Consultation Committee – made up of management and worker representatives – met in Paris from 6-8 July 2016 to review the global framework agreement (GFA)  implementation throughout the worldwide operations of the company.
 
The workers’ side was represented by affiliates of IndustriALL Global Union and Public Services International from France, Belgium, the UK, Poland and Hungary, as well as a workers’ representative from China.
 
Management was represented by CEO Jean-Bernard Levy and senior HR managers.
 
EDF and the global unions signed the agreement 11 years ago, committing the company to social responsibility, environmental sustainability and workers’ rights. Unions value the agreement, but expressed their concern about the quality of implementation. According to the unions, implementation of the GFA needs to be improved even though the company is now trying to reduce costs, which is likely to affect workers’ social welfare, and adherence to the agreement.
 
Reports show that social dialogue is not functionally properly in Belgium, as power plants are being closed, and unions feel that the right to strike and to bargain collectively at national level is not in place.
 
During the previous year, pension provision has been in danger in the UK, while there has been an attempt at social dumping in call centres. Polish and Hungarian representatives also fear the social aspects of selling projects. The committee has begun to work on a social foundation as a response.
 
The priorities identified by company, outside the framework of the GFA, are to reduce CO2 emissions; improve health and safety; offer vulnerable people support to access energy; use digital innovation to improve energy efficiency; open dialogue and consultation to all the projects around the world and promote biodiversity.
 
After a series of discussions, renegotiation of the current agreement is now on the agenda.  
 
IndustriALL Energy director Diana Curiel Junquera said:
 
“We value EDF’s global level commitments to labour relations, however our global unions have some important red lines. Coverage by the GFA of all operations of the company throughout the world, without exception, is one of them”.
 
“We also want to see a strong commitment that suppliers and sub-contractors adopt these standards for their workers and of course, a commitment from the company to treat unions positively and remain strict neutrality concerning workers’ rights to take part in union activity.”           
 
EDF, which is largely owned by the French state, is the world’s largest producer of electricity. It produces most of its power through nuclear technology.

North Sea workers strike again as support floods in from around the world

The 48-hour strike will affect the Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Nelson, Gannet, Shearwater and Curlew platforms. It follows a strike on 26 July by almost 400 members of IndustriALL Global Union affiliates Unite and the RMT at multinational oil and gas services company Wood Group, in a dispute around pay cuts of up to 30 per cent.

The workers are subcontracted to Wood Group at seven Shell oil and gas platforms in the Brent Field in the North Sea.

The strike saw declarations of support from trade unionists across the world. IndustriALL sent messages of solidarity, and called on affiliates to do the same. Many responded, and support was received from IndustriALL affiliates, including PZZ KADRA in Poland, POEM in Greece, ATOMPROFSPILKA of Ukraine, UA ZENSEN in Japan, IG BCE in Germany, Fellesforbundet and Industri Energi in Norway, and the United Steelworkers in the USA and Canada.

Messages were also received from UNI Global Union, the ITF and their affiliates, the TUC and the STUC in the UK; the NUJ, UCATT, PCS, EIS and union branches across the UK, anti-blacklisting activists and the National Shop Steward Committee.

The strike was accompanied by demonstrations at Wood Group and Shell locations on shore, including an occupation by RMT activists of Shell’s headquarters in Canary Wharf, London. There will be further pickets at Shell offices in London and Manchester on Thursday.

Unite regional 0fficer John Boland said:

“The solid actions this week and the support that the workers received is a clear demonstration of the strength of feeling and their resolve to resist these attacks on pay and allowances. 

“The workforce is clearly of the view that enough is enough. 

“Wood Group needs to drop the cuts and get back round the table with us if it genuinely wants to avoid further industrial action.”

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:

“The unions welcome the fantastic support that has been pouring in from around the world. We are also well aware that the company Chief Executive has had a pay increase of 28 per cent to bring him up to £600,000. It is obscene that while the top bosses are lining their own pockets they are kicking the workforce from pillar to post.

“This brave group of workers are taking a stand against the greed and savagery that is a mark of corporate Britain in 2016.”

Jyrki Raina, IndustriALL general secretary, said:

“This is the first offshore strike in nearly 30 years, which shows how serious things have become. We will continue to support our affiliates Unite and the RMT until Wood Group returns to the negotiating table with a genuine offer. We call on our affiliates to support this action and to show their solidarity.”

Take action

Please send messages of support to North Sea workers taking strike action on Thursday and Friday 4 and 5 August. You can do this by emailing [email protected] and [email protected].

You can also show support and follow developments on the Unite Offshore Facebook page and on Twitter @UniteOffshore.

All messages of support are welcome.

Latin American chemical sector workers prioritize networks

Women and men from trade unions in the chemical sector in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile and Uruguay shared experiences on the situation in the chemical sector in these countries and in the rest of the world. They noted the challenges facing workers in a context of economic crisis, attacks on democracy, the spread of precarious work and the need to promote sustainable employment.

“It is clear that these are not easy times. Anti-union policies are posing major problems and challenges. We must organize and build up our collective strength throughout the world, so we can defend our rights and interests from the attacks of governments and companies. We are building sector level networks to promote cooperation, particularly in Latin America. We need to improve communications and focus on issues like health and safety and outsourcing,” said IndustriALL Global Union's assistant general secretary, Kemal Özkan at the start of the meeting.

The construction of sector level trade union networks was one of the main debating points at the meeting. Those present emphasized the importance of networks in promoting democracy and international solidarity. Unions in the chemicals industry can use them to exchange information on sectors, companies, collective agreements and membership recruitment strategies. All this kind of data is indispensable for building joint international action.

Participants made a start on the process of building networks by exchanging general information. IndustriALL representatives, Kemal Özkan, Jorge Almeida, IndustriALL regional secretary and Marino Vani, assistant regional secretary, made presentations on the current situation of the sector at the global level. Union representatives then each made a presentation about their region.

“We have made a lot of progress in forming networks, but there is still some resistance in the trade union movement. Some people understand its importance. Others do not – they want immediate results, which is impossible. I think we must focus on convincing workers of the importance of networks.  CUT and Força Sindical are committed to doing this in Brazil but it has to be a permanent process,” said Sérgio Luis Leite, president of FEQUIMFAR and joint president of IndustriALL’s chemicals sector.

Throughout the meeting, there was a dynamic discussion about labour and industrial relations in the chemicals, pharmaceuticals and petrochemicals sectors in Latin America and the Caribbean. The meeting stressed the need to increase union membership, fight outsourcing and increase solidarity in response to the constant dismissal of workers.

Participants stressed their intention to form strong networks to promote social dialogue between workers, employers and governments. They said that, at this moment of crisis, it is necessary to fight to maintain the conquests of workers and the assistance of governments is crucial in this task.

Women made a major contribution to the meeting. One speaker insisted on the need to ensure women’s participation in this type of meeting and to encourage women to attend the next IndustriALL world congress, to be held in Rio de Janeiro.

In an act of solidarity, participants wrote a letter of support for the peace process in Colombia and urged workers in that country to support the process. The conclusions produced by the meeting stated that the unions will broaden the scope of their discussions to include other issues in the sector, such as sustainability, the environment and the fourth industrial revolution.

Finally, Kemal Özkan and Sérgio Luis Leite attended the launch of the Inter-Trade Union Forum on the medicines value chain at the head office of the PIT CNT. The Uruguayan Minister for Labour and Social Security, Ernesto Murro and the Minister for Industry, Energy and Mining, Carolina Cosse, also attended the event and said they would help to make the initiative a success. 

Asian garment unions push for higher wages

Supported by FES, the workshop held on 28 and 29 July 2016 provided an opportunity for unions to share the challenges of increasing higher minimum wages, and to discuss the potential for pushing for more effective mechanisms.

Affiliates had common experience that low union density makes achieving higher minimum wages difficult, while non-compliance and lack of effective enforcement of minimum wages are constant problems. But the unions have been campaigning hard on the issue and reported positive developments.

In the Philippines, the living wage is a priority for unions and they are building unity around it. They are using the minimum wage as a benchmark to push for higher wage outcomes in collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) and have formed a national association of minimum wage earners, which enables them to organize many precarious contract and agency workers who can join individually.

Indonesian unions have the goal of increasing the number of items included in the calculation of the minimum wage and to negotiate 40 per cent more CBAs. Following a legislative change to tie the minimum wage rate to inflation and economic growth, they are fighting to get back the right to push for higher increases, as standard percentage increases will cause increasing disparities between regions with different minimum wage rates.

In Myanmar, many disputes and strikes led to the formation of a national minimum wage committee which includes unions, in 2013. Following negotiations, the first minimum wage for Myanmar workers was announced in August 2015. In Cambodia, there is a bloody history of disputation and violence prior to instituting an annual revision of the minimum wage for the garment sector. The unions are currently in the process of analysing a wage survey on living expenses to develop their claims for 2017.

Unions in Bangladesh and Thailand are currently facing specific barriers to mobilizing in support of higher wages. In Bangladesh the last increase to the minimum wage was in 2013 following the Rana Plaza collapse and ensuing labour unrest, but now the security situation following multiple terrorist attacks in Dhaka is making it difficult to campaign. Nevertheless, the unions are trying to reach a common position on a wage demand. In Thailand the unions are campaigning for a higher minimum wage as there has been no increase since 2011, but the current military regime prevents public gatherings of trade unions.

Vietnam is the only country in the region that has an industry-level collective agreement. First negotiated in 2010, the agreement mainly covers state-owned and joint-stock enterprises, but attempts are being made to extend it to more private sector companies. It provides a framework for conditions in the industry and contains conditions, including wages, which are higher than the law and encourages enterprise-level agreements to increase benefits further.

Affiliates agreed that industry level bargaining must be developed in each country as the best means of securing higher wages and better working conditions, in line with the ACT agreement between IndustriALL and leading garment brands. At the same time as pushing for industry bargaining, unions will continue to take a more strategic approach to factory-level CBA negotiation. Several examples were given of how this is being done including:

The meeting was joined by representatives from other trade union organizations active in the region, including ITUC, Solidarity Center and APHEDA, who pledged their continued support to union living wage campaigns. 

Regional paper and cellulose sector aims to form federation

“We want to form a network of workers in Latin America, with no political barriers. We want to strengthen the paper sector and improve workers’ rights by promoting unity and improving organization wherever we can. The idea is to protect, combine forces, grow and encourage participating unions to affiliate to IndustriALL,” explained Washington Cayaffa of FOPCU, Uruguay.

Paper and cellulose sector trade unions affiliated to IndustriALL Global Union held a regional meeting in Montevideo, Uruguay on 26-27 July. The objective was to share experiences and update each other on the situation in the sector in countries that included Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia.

“We're holding this meeting at a very important time for the region. The world is in crisis and the trade union movement is fighting to mitigate the effects of that crisis. Capital and many governments intend to remove or modify workers’ rights in order to reduce the impact of the crisis,” explained Jorge Almeida, IndustriALL regional secretary, at the start of the meeting.

Representatives from Brazilian trade unions explained that although the cellulose sector in their country is not in crisis, they were ready to help countries that are having problems. They also invited unions to join the Federation of Paper Industry Trade Unions in Mercosur (FESPAM), which was formed in 1986. They invited all unions in the region to join, even if they are not in the Mercosur trade bloc. The federation aims to bring unions together to address problems affecting all workers, such as precarious work, low pay and outsourcing.

“The cancer of outsourcing is a global problem. Fortunately, in Latin America, we are able to organize trade unions and grow. We must form networks so that every union in every country makes as much progress as possible,” said Arturo Cajamarca of SINTRACARCOL, Colombia.

The unions present said they wanted IndustriALL to play a major role in the cellulose sector, which is becoming a leading industry in the region. Tom Grinter, a research officer at IndustriALL, representing the global union’s head office, said the idea is to unite and work together to achieve improvements for all.

The regional representative of the Finnish foundation SASK, Patricio Samborino, emphasized their support:

“In Finland, the paper and cellulose industries are the second and third highest income earners for the country. The sector is very important for the whole country. We cannot let ourselves be isolated, we have to work together just like the companies do. We cannot get left behind. The idea is to create networks inside a single structure that unites all of us. The idea is to fight for workers’ rights and to propose to governments a new way of developing the sector,” said Patricio.

The workers formulated an action plan to improve communication between participants in order to strengthen the trade union network and promote solidarity. All those present emphasized the importance of taking action to combat the problems that face workers in the sector, for example, outsourcing and precarious work.

Participants said that letters to companies and governments expressing solidarity and support for workers is effective but said it is not enough. They said there is a need to strengthen international solidarity by improving communications through networks that have a strong commitment to global action.

They decided to draft letters to the prefect of Coelho Neto, in the state of Maranhão in Brazil and the governor of Maranhão, Brazil, in support of workers employed by Agrimex SA and Itapagé SA. These workers have been on strike for four months because the companies refuse to pay the wages and benefits they owe them.

IndustriALL’s assistant general secretary, Kemal Özkan concluded:

“When we have a dispute, particularly in the paper sector, we need to think hard to try and anticipate what action we will need to take to overcome potential challenges. It is also important to set in motion effective communications. We must be able to use technology and make employers and politicians pay attention to us, because we need to interact with governments, political parties, and employers if we are going to have any influence on them.

“That is why these meetings are very important. It is essential to cooperate and create regional networks and participate in global networks. We need people to get involved in this process,” he said.

Victory at last for Bata workers in Mexico

After international pressure from IndustriALL and Swiss affiliate, UNIA, a meeting was convened on 30 June in Mexico between the Sandak-Bata union, SUTCS, and Tim Jude, the international Vice President of Bata, to negotiate a fair solution for the 59 workers who continued to demand their rights after Bata closed their plant in Tlaxcala, Mexico in 2012, dismissing 450 workers.

During the meeting, Sandak agreed to recognize the right of the remaining 59 union members to receive 55 per cent of lost salaries for the last five years, plus the 10 per cent of costs to terminate the collective agreement and close down the factory, as well as 2 per cent of the union dues. Crucially, the agreement also puts an end to the penal cases Sandak had processed against nine executive committee members of SUTCS.

The agreement comes after Epifanio Garcia Carillo from SUTCS led a Sandak delegation to Switzerland to try to pressure Bata to meet with them, but they were not received. While in the country they met with UNIA, which represents Bata workers in Switzerland (and where Bata has fired 175 workers this year), and also with IndustriALL at its headquarters in Geneva for extensive discussions about how to come to an acceptable agreement with Bata.

For more than five years, IndustriALL and affiliates worldwide have consistently supported the SUTCS workers’ fight and have denounced their situation to the Committee of Application of Standards and illustrated their case in the complaint 2694 presented to the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association.

In particular, one serious issue denounced in IndustriALL’s ILO complaint, is the collusion between the company and the Tlaxcala State authorities, that during all these years, pressured the workers to receive a miserable pay-off and to give up their struggle.

Fernando Lopes IndustriALL’s assistant general secretary says:

“This is a big victory. Besides the legal severance payments, the company has agreed to pay 55 per cent of salaries for the past five years plus other benefits. IndustriALL will continue monitoring Bata operations worldwide to make sure that there are no more violations. SUTCS and their Mexican and International allies have a lot to celebrate.” 

Bangladesh shipbreaking workers trained in collective bargaining and health and safety

A two-day training workshop on collective bargaining and social dialogue organized with the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) on 20-21 July 2016, focused on building the collective bargaining skills among the yard level leaders of IndustriALL affiliates.

It was followed by two further days of workshops for trainers on organizational safety and health issues for shipbreaking workers, arranged with the support of the Bangladesh Occupational Safety Health and Environment Foundation (OSHE) on 22-23 July 2016. A large number of shipbreaking workers and active union members took part in the event.

The shipbreaking industry in Bangladesh is one of the most hazardous industries in the world. Eighteen workers have lost their lives and many have been injured in a series of accidents in the nine-month period from October 2015 to July 2016.

IndustriALL, along with its affiliates Bangladesh Metalworkers’ Federation and Bangladesh Metal Workers’ League, has been intervening to improve the situation for workers through a project to organize metal workers in the shipbreaking industry in South Asia.  

Workshop participants also called for changes to the trade union laws in Bangladesh towards enabling shipbreaking workers to form industry level unions rather than having only yard-based unions under present law. They said it would help unions to strengthen and enable them to institutionalize the social dialogue process.

In light of the heavy death toll in the industry, the trainers’ training workshop on safety and health was designed to create awareness on safe work methods for workers, and employers’ responsibility to provide a safe working environment at shipbreaking yards. It is expected that workers who were trained will transfer their training to their co-workers at the yards.

Apoorva Kaiwar, IndustriALL’s South Asia regional secretary, underlined the need for an active union presence to create a safe working environment and improve working conditions through collective bargaining and social dialogue.

Vidyadhar Rane, Vice-chair of IndustriALL’s shipbuilding and shipbreaking sector informed participants about international instruments such as the Basel Convention, the International Maritime Organization, ILO Guidelines, the Hong Kong Convention and European Union regulation on shipbreaking. He also shared his experience of organizing shipbreaking workers in India and spoke of a union’s role in improving health and safety issues at the yards.

IndustriALL affiliates, along with their partners BILS and the OSHE Foundation, resolved to increase their efforts to press the government of Bangladesh to implement the revised Bangladesh Ship Recycling Act 2015. In addition, participants decided to accelerate the ongoing campaign for the ratification of the Hong Kong Convention, which would help to create safe and environmentally sound workplaces for shipbreaking workers in Bangladesh.

Key collective bargaining agreement signed in Sri Lankan free trade zone

Sri Lankan free trade zones are one of the most difficult areas in the world for trade union activities and organizing workers. But despite workers facing severe anti-union and unfair labour practices from employers, IndustriALL affiliate the Free Trade Zone and General Services Employees Union (FTZ& GSEU) won a successful collective bargaining with Trelleborg Wheel Systems, the Sri Lankan subsidiary of a Swedish multinational manufacturer of tyres for agricultural and industrial machines.
 
The agreement, which covers about 140 workers in the factory, states that the employer will respect the right of each employee to become a member of the union, and prevent discrimination of employees due to union work.
 
The employer also agreed to create material and organizational conditions for union activity, including holding union meetings within the factory premises and time off for union office bearers to participate in union activities if notice is given. The union committed to carrying out its activities in a way that will not disturb the working time nor restrict the activity of the employer.
 
The agreement was signed on 13 July 2016 and is retrospectively applicable for the period of 2014 to 2018. On fixing working hours, the company will discuss with the union and after reaching consensus the decision will be implemented by the management. It guarantees all statutory benefits on wages and working conditions and on certain provisions it goes beyond those statutory entitlements.
 
While the agreement is valid for four years, annual salary revisions will be negotiated with the union every year. The union will also participate in the process of job evaluation, which includes skills, knowledge of work and attitude, based on which a wage structure will be decided upon. The agreement also provides a non-recurring cost of living gratuity for workers, which is not offered by many companies in free trade zones.
 
The agreement also elaborates in details on the employer’s responsibility to ensure safety at work and the prevention of accidents at the workplace. It includes a commitment from the employer to educate workers on safe working methods, and avoiding the use of toxic chemicals in the production process. The company will pay for an annual trip for the employees, which is an extremely rare benefit in free trade zones.
 
Another key provision is that the company will reimburse medical expenses incurred by employees and their immediate family members up to 10 % of annual basic salary to a maximum limit of Rs 13,000 (US $88). Employees will also be covered by surgical and hospital expenses insurance to the value of Rs.40,000 (US $268) per annum.
 
Congratulating workers and the employer, Anton Marcus of FTZ & GSEU said:
 
“The agreement is major achievement against the backdrop of the hostile and anti-union environment faced by workers in Sri Lankan free trade zones. It will go a long way in building a healthy industrial relations with the employer and addressing workers’ concerns.”
 
Apoorva Kaiwar, IndustriALL regional secretary said:
 
“We are very pleased that our affiliate has negotiated this excellent agreement. Some of the provisions, like allowing the union to hold meetings on factory premises and welfare benefits like paid holiday travel for workers are groundbreaking.
 
Having a collective agreement in a free trade zone is in itself an achievement. This provides a healthy working environment for Trelleborg employees.”

IndustriALL condemns sentence of Korean union leader

Sung-deok, vice-president of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union (KPTU), was found guilty of all charges in connection with the mass people’s rally on 14 November 2015 and an earlier protest held on 28 August last year.

“The sentence is yet another brazen attack on trade unions and democracy in Korea, and effectively criminalizes the right to freedom of peaceful assembly. We deplore this latest attempt to crush trade unions in Korea and demand that Cho Sung-deok’s sentence is overturned and he is released,” said IndustriALL's general secretary Jyrki Raina.  

The court exonerated police of any illegal action in relation to the excessive use of force at the November rally, at which tens of thousands of people took to the streets to protest against the government and labour reform.

The protest turned violent after police employed 20,000 officers, 19 water cannon, 679 buses, and 580 pepper spray devices against peaceful marchers. A 69-year old farmer remains in a comatose state after being hit by a police water canon.

The sentencing comes just three weeks after Han Sang-gyun, president of the KCTU union centre, was sentenced to five years in prison on similar charges. Four other KCTU and KPTU unionists have also been sent to jail.

Global union leaders from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) attended the court in Seoul to monitor Sung-deok’s sentencing. ITF general secretary Steve Cotton told IndustriALL:

“We will fight this sentence and the culture of persecution that it reveals, all the way. We will act in unity with Korea’s trade unions and the global unions and together we will push back against the deliberate crackdown on lawful trade union activity that has been so dramatically highlighted by this latest court case."

In June 2016, a report on Korea by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association stated, in reference to Han Sang-gyun and other union leaders, that “charging assembly participants with certain criminal offences, such as the general obstruction of traffic, de facto criminalizes the right to peaceful assembly.”