As abuses continue, so does Rio Tinto campaign

Nonetheless, Rio Tinto has failed to adequately improve its treatment of workers and remains the target of a global campaign.

Rio Tinto’s Iron Ore Company of Canada has failed to keep its promise to reinstate laid-off members of the United Steelworkers (USW) who had been replaced by contractors. The company has also failed to meet its commitment to work cooperatively to resolve a backlog of 3,500 grievances filed by the union.

In Madagascar, Rio Tinto recently announced it intends to dismiss all employees in a number of departments that it no longer considers part of its core business and replace them with contractors. Rio Tinto has refused to discuss concerns about the company’s contractors being compensated at a level that leaves them working-poor on the verge of desperation.

Rio Tinto has long resisted discussing the concerns of the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) about violations of Rio Tinto’s contract employees’ rights to freedom of association. The company recently informed MUN that it plans to contract out all maintenance positions, which would exacerbate the problem of excessive precarious work.

In South Africa, National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) reports that when contractors join unions and raise concerns about their employment conditions including by requesting proper personal protective equipment, they are victimized, charged for minor transgressions and eventually dismissed. When NUM raises concern about this, Rio Tinto says it’s not their responsibility.

The situation at Rio Tinto in South Africa recently deteriorated when contracts of employees who previously worked on six or twelve month contracts were only renewed for one month, resulting in more insecure work.

IndustriALL and unions in the Rio Tinto Global Union Network continue to campaign for improvements in Rio Tinto’s labour practices. MUN, NUM, USW, unions in Madagascar and other unions at Rio Tinto are all fighting back against increases in precarious work.

IndustriALL is outreaching to Rio Tinto customers and shareholders about these problems, including through a recent Investor Briefing. IndustriALL has called on the company to disclose more to investors about its workforce, which the company says is its greatest asset but provides very little information about it. IndustriALL also continues to challenge Rio Tinto’s affiliation to the UN Global Compact given Rio Tinto fails to respect its principles.

“We hope that Rio Tinto will soon genuinely pursue constructive labour relations at global, regional and local levels,” says IndustriALL Assistant General Secretary Kemal Özkan. “However, we’re prepared to campaign against the company for as long as it takes to do so.” 

NGWF action secures victories for Bangladeshi garment workers

About 800 workers including 450 women workers of TTL faced a crisis situation as the factory owner decided to close it down following inspections by the ACCORD & Alliance, which detected a major structural fault in the factory building posing a threat to workers safety. The decision was made during the Eid-ul-Fitr festival season, with no assurance to workers regarding compensation and festival bonus.

NGWF rapidly intervened and filed a complaint to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), and organized protest demonstrations demanding compensation to workers. On 27 June 2016, after  detailed discussions among representatives of BGMEA, TTL, NGWF and workers, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was reached which included compensation to workers and an Eid Festival bonus. According to the NGWF, the management made the payment on 1 July 2016 in line with the MoU.

In another significant struggle at Ananta Apparels Limited and Ananta Fashion Limited, the NGWF has led 6,000 workers to resist factory relocation and win a full Eid festival bonus. Both these garment factories belong to the same group and operated in the same building in Dhaka city. Following a unilateral decision by management to shift the factory 30 kilometers away from Dhaka city, workers faced losing their jobs if they could not relocate, increased transport costs, and detrimental affects on their children’s education. They were also concerned that the management may not pay the Eid bonus.

Again the NGWF intervened and supported workers at both factories to file a grievance petition to BGMEA on 20 June 2016, which was signed by 930 workers. Soon after, workers staged protest actions continuously for three days, which successfully brought management to the negotiation table. Subsequently the management yielded to workers’ demands and announced that they would not relocate the factories and agreed to pay full Eid bonus. Workers were also successful in getting the management to sack a managerial staff member, whose oppressive shop floor behavior led to a pregnant worker delivering her baby prematurely.

Ukraine: 50,000 rally against utility tariffs increase

Under the banner “European wages to pay European prices!”, marchers picketed the parliament and government buildings to protest against the double tariff increase for hot water, gas and heating, and an expected tariff increase for electricity and cold water. They also demanded an end to austerity and an increase in wages and pensions.

IndustriALL Global Union affiliates in Ukraine that joined the rally are concerned that the majority of Ukrainians will not be able to afford this rise in tariffs. The unions are demanding an increase in the minimum wage to at least 3 000 Hryvnia (US$120) to bring it in line with the living wage. They believe the average wage should be around 8000-10000 Hryvnia (US$320-400). The trade unions also insist that employers increase the workers’ wages by at least 15 per cent as of 1 August through savings in a two-fold reduction in the level of social contribution.

Trade union demands signed by over two million people from all regions of Ukraine were handed to the parliament and government of Ukraine.

Mikhailo Volynets, the chairman of IndustriALL affiliate, the Independent Trade Union of Coal Miners of Ukraine, called the rally the most powerful protest action that took place in Kiev in the past two years. People have had enough of poverty. He also drew attention to the fact that a significant number of the protesters were women, and reminded demonstrators that a few years ago it was women who blocked mine operations, not allowing their men to go down, to demand that the administration pay wage arrears.

"Once again, miners are not getting paid. They have been forced to go on hunger strike, such as the miners at Selidovugol mines, who have been on hunger strike since 4 July demanding the end to wage arrears,” said Volynets.

Volynets added that that day’s action was a warning to the government, and there would be bigger protests if the trade unions’ requirements were ignored.

Botswana: IndustriALL calls for immediate action at deadly mine

The BCL mine employs around 5,000 employees, of which over 3,200 are union members represented by IndustriALL Global Union affiliate, the Botswana Mine and Allied Workers Union (BMWU).

Frustrated at the government’s inaction the BMWU staged a demonstration on 6 July 2016, in Botswana’s capital Gaborone where union leader Jack Tlhagale handed over a petition to the country’s vice-president Mokgweetsi Masisi.

“The mine has been a problem for a long time – security and productivity have declined. Despite the mineworkers’ appeals to the company management and the government there has been no improvement. The company also threatens to retrench many of our members and close some of the shafts,” said Tlhagale.

The BMWU’s petition is clear and calls on the government to:

Vice-president Masisi assured BCL mineworkers that the government would investigate the declining safety issues: "We don't want employees to feel unsafe at work. We don't want a situation where miners go to work asking themselves whether they are going to be able to come back to their families," said Masisi.

"This is simply not enough. It is not only workers’ livelihoods that are at stake but also their lives. If the government continues to postpone action on the deteriorating safety conditions at the mine, it will certainly result in more deaths,” said IndustriALL general secretary, Jyrki Raina.

IndustriALL calls on the Botswana government to involve the BMWU in measures to ensure that adequate health and safety standards be put in place immediately to avoid any further preventable accidents at the BCL mine.  It is equally important to include the union in the development of a plan for the BCL mine to become economically viable and ensure job security for the workers.

In a letter to Botswana’s Vice-president, IndustriALL calls the Government to involve the BMWU in the implementation of measures to ensure that adequate health and safety standards be put in place immediately to avoid any further preventable accidents at the BCL mine.  It is equally important to include the union in the development of a plan for the Bamangwato Concessions Ltd. (BCL) mine to become economically viable but also to ensure job security of the workers.

IndustriALL and ENI agree on improved rights and world works council

The first global framework agreement (GFA) between IndustriALL and Italian oil and gas group Eni was signed in 2002 and renewed in 2004 and 2009. During the past 15 years, the company has expanded its exploration and extraction of oil and gas, refining and electricity operations to new and challenging countries such as Algeria, Angola, Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Libya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Kazakhstan and Venezuela.

At the same time, global agreements signed by IndustriALL have developed in scope and contents. The parties agreed that it was time to update this accord.

The renewed global framework agreement signed on 6 July 2016 in Barcelona by Eni, IndustriALL and its Italian affiliates FILCTEM-CISL, FEMCA-CISL and UILTEC-UIL implies among others the following improvements covering all Eni’s subsidiaries around the world:

The agreement reconfirms the rights based on ILO cornerstone conventions, and on gender equality, equal opportunities, maternity protection, and non-discrimination.

“We are happy to see that Eni is taking these steps with IndustriALL and its affiliates worldwide to develop serious corporate social responsibility in partnership with management and unions,” said IndustriALL general secretary, Jyrki Raina.

Justice at last for Tazreen fire victims

The Tazreen Claims Administration Trust says a total of US$2.17 million has now been paid to the families of 112 dead and missing workers, and to 174 people injured in the fire.

In one of the worst disasters to hit the garment industry in modern times, workers burnt alive behind locked exits, while others leapt to their death from from factory windows. Many suffered life-changing injuries in the fire at the 1,600 worker factory. 

IndustriALL Global Union, which represents garment workers around the world, has led the drive to secure for compensation for victims. The Tazreen Claims Administration Trust grew out of an initial agreement signed by fashion retailer C&A, the C&A Foundation, IndustriALL and the Clean Clothes Campaign in November 2014.

IndustriALL’s general secretary, Jyrki Raina, said:

“Finally we have some form of justice for the victims of this dreadful tragedy.  IndustriALL and UNI Global Union continue to work through the Accord for a safe and sustainable garment industry in Bangladesh and elsewhere, to make sure that disasters like Tazreen never happen again.”

The compensation process was based on the mechanism used to compensate thousands of victims of the 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh, with loss of income for the injured, deceased and missing workers calculated on the basis of ILO Convention 121.

The Tazreen Claims Administration estimated that a total of US$2.5 million would be needed to pay compensation and provide long-term medical care to the injured. This was paid for by C&A Foundation (USD 1,000,000), Fung Foundation (USD 1,000,000), BRAC USA (USD 250,000), KiK (USD 150,000) and El Corte Ingles (USD 100,000).

C&A Foundation also covered the administrative and running costs of the Tazreen Claims Administration separately, so that 100 per cent of the money from donors went directly to victims and their families.

Colombia: USO victory as oilfield comes under state control

“Our unity, organization and solidarity has helped us achieve our aims of exercising sovereignty, building democracy and strengthening the public sector,” said IndustriALL Global Union affiliate, USO, in a public statement.

Ecopetrol assumed control of operations at Campo Rubiales after the contract with the Canadian company Pacific Exploration & Production was terminated on 30 June. Ecopetrol plans to increase oil production in Colombia, with the drilling of more than 1,000 new wells at the Campo Rubiales oilfield.

At 12am on 1 July, the oilfield’s workers raised their voices in jubilation and the USO mobilized its branches throughout the country. Meanwhile, all notices and emblems of the Canadian multinational company Pacific E&P were replaced by those of Ecopetrol.

The USO celebrated the news and said workers will continue to defend the public sector, strengthen the company and oppose privatization of Ecopetrol, “which we all created and built to promote the country’s sovereignty, the dignity of the working class and justice for the people.”

“In 2011, IndustriALL and other national and international organizations formed the Alliance for the Return of Campo Rubiales to Ecopetrol. We now join them in celebrating this victory and confirm our support for this campaign to defend the country and national sovereignty,” said IndustriALL projects coordinator in Colombia, Carlos Bustos.

Sri Lanka: thousands protest against anti-union discrimination at FTZs

The independent trade union alliance, consisting of six trade unions, organized the protest on 22 June in front of the main gate of the Katunayake FTZ, the biggest FTZ in Sri Lanka.

After the presidential election in January 2015 and the election of a new government in August 2015, many employers in Sri Lanka have been demanding labour law reform to get rid of unions from Free Trade Zones (FTZs).

Employers in FTZs have increased pressure on unions and their members, including refusal to recognize unions, a public campaign to malign unions, discriminatory shop floor practices, intimidation, threats of physical attack, suspensions and dismissals. Many employers at FTZs are yet to provide the pay hike of Rs 2000 (US$13), which was announced by the government earlier this year.  According to unions, such anti-worker position of employers is also leading to increased incidences of sexual harassment at workplaces.

Sri Lanka is one of the few countries where FTZs are functioning with trade unions. Trade unions in Sri Lanka have played a key role in ensuring that trade union rights remained in place in FTZs.

Unions are demanding the government intervenes and prevents employers’ moves to make FTZs trade union free zones. Apart from harming workers rights, unions say employers’ actions will deeply hamper government’s efforts to regain European Union’s GSP+ status, which was withdrawn by EU on the grounds of human rights violations.    

Protesting workers demanded that employers stop threats of physical attacks, recognize unions as collective bargaining agents, reinstate all employees dismissed for trade union activities, stop employing precarious workers with the intention to bust union activities, and punish the officials engaged in sexual harassment.

The collective of independent unions included IndustriALL Global Union affiliate FTZ and General Services Employees Union (FTZ&GSEU), Ceylon Mercantile and General Workers Union (CMU) and United Federation of Labour Ceylon Bank Employees Union, Union of Postal and Telecommunication Employees and Women Solidarity union. 

Women in Malaysia united in 40 per cent demand

Thirty-one women leaders from the IndustriALL Malyasian Council and its women’s committee gathered in Shah Alam on 27 June as a follow up to the leadership training they received the previous month.

The women reviewed the action plans they made there on issues including maternity protection and achieving gender equality in union structures. Participants resolved to support and advocate improved maternity protection through integration in collective agreements. 

They also agreed to launch a campaign to ratify ILO Convention 183 on Maternity Protection in different states in Malaysia starting in Penang in August, in collaboration with the Malaysian trade union confederation, MTUC.  

IndustriALL assistant general secretary, Monika Kemperle, gave a briefing on Industry 4.0 and digitalization and its impact on workers, particularly women. Kemperle asked participants to come up with alternative strategies to counter the negative effect of digitalization to workers. She added that unionization and capacity building should be continued, particularly of women.

Kemperle also explained the concepts of either a 40 per cent binding quota in IndustriALL’s statutes or a target of 40 per cent.  She presented the consequences should the quota in either form be approved by the upcoming world congress.

Together with other affiliates in the Asia-Pacific region, the Malaysia women’s committee vowed to push for changes in IndustriALL Statutes to include a 40 per cent quota, and that equality between men and women should be recognized.

Outrage at sentencing of Korean union leader

Sang-gyun, president of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), was sentenced after being charged with offences relating to a series of anti-government demonstrations, including the massive People’s Rally in November last year.

IndustriALL’s general secretary, Jyrki Raina, said:

We wholeheartedly object to the outrageous sentence imposed upon Han Sang-gyun, who has been persecuted for carrying out his legitimate union activities. Government, big business and the judiciary are complicit in the wide-scale persecution of trade unions in South Korea.  The sentence is a blow to democracy and an axe to the freedom of peaceful assembly in the country. We join the international labour movement in demanding his immediate release and call for all charges against Han Sang-gyun to be dropped.

Sang-gyun became a government target after tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Seoul on 14 November protesting against the proposed labour reform by President Park Geun-hye. Some 20,000 police were mobilized at the demonstration and tear gas and water cannon were used against demonstrators.

After the rally, Sang-gyun took refuge in the Jogye Temple until he finally surrendered to police o n 10 December.

Han Sang-gyun as one of the organizers of the rally was held responsible for the violent actions of a minority of the demonstrators.

Over 60 IndustriALL affiliates wrote to President Park ahead of the sentencing protesting against the charges brought against Han Sang-gyun. In March this year, IndustriALL assistant general secretary Kemal Özkan led an international delegation of trade union leaders to Korea to show support for the union struggle in the country.

In reaction to the sentencing KCTU said the ruling “will go down in history for trampling democracy, human rights and labour.”

Speaking after the verdict, Han Sang-gyun said: "I am not guilty as long as you comrades believe so. The repression by the current government is much more severe and more deliberate. We have to be prepared to fight back."

KCTU plans to appeal the decision.