Moms deserve better than diamonds from Rio Tinto

With global sales of US $6 billion annually, Signet’s Kay, Jared and Zales jewellery shops are found across the US, Peoples and Mappins stores are throughout Canada, and H. Samuel and Ernest Jones shops are visible on UK high streets.

The unions ILWU, Unifor and USW are organizing demonstrations in the lead up to Mother’s Day at Signet stores in the U.S. and Canada, which is celebrated there on 10 May. This follows recent demonstrations at Signet stores in the UK by unions and civil society organizations from a dozen countries.

The coalition is calling on Signet to abide by its own Responsible Sourcing Policy. This policy declares the company “committed to the responsible sourcing of our products and the respect of human rights, and we expect the same from our suppliers around the world.” 

But Rio Tinto is a notorious violator of labour rights, communities and the environment. As has recently been documented in the report Rio Tinto: The way it really works:

Although the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) has certified Rio Tinto, unfortunately the RJC is highly flawed.  It is neither independent – it is governed by industry, excluding labour, civil society and impacted communities. Nor is it transparent – it is impossible for the public to determine whether an RJC-certified company complies with RJC’s own certification requirements, let alone international human rights and environmental standards.

IndustriALL Global Union general secretary Jyrki Raina states: “We’ve raised on multiple occasions concerns with Signet about its supplier Rio Tinto’s practices that are bad for workers, communities and the environment. So far Signet has remained mostly silent while Rio Tinto has responded with threats. We’ll continue to raise our concerns until Rio Tinto changes its practices and behaves like the responsible company it claims to be.”

Colombian unionists in London to challenge mining multinationals

Last month's vist by Jairo Quiroz, president of IndustriALL Global Union affiliate, Sintracarbon, and the union's education secretary, Igor Diaz, is a joint effort by IndustriALL and the London Mining Network (LMN) which campaign together on issues of common interest in the mining industry.

LMN is an alliance of human rights, development, environmental and solidarity groups. It works in support of communities around the world who are badly affected by mining, particularly by mining companies based in, or financed from, London.

The speaking mission by the two leaders entailed meeting and addressing influential institutions such as the Ethical Investment Advisory Committee of the Church of England, the Scottish Trade Union Congress, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. They also participated in IndustriALL Global Union’s meeting on Better-coal, a standard-setting and auditing initiative by coal utilities in Europe that buy coal from Colombia. Both leaders met with NGOs including the Colombia Solidarity Campaign, Global Justice Now, Justice for Colombia, and War on Want.

The highlight of the mission was attending the Anglo American AGM on 24 April and speaking directly to the shareholders. Sintracarbon President, Jairo Quiroz, took the floor to make a very moving and persuasive argument to stop the river diversion at the Cerrejón mine in Colombia. The mine is jointly owned by Anglo American, BHP Billiton and Glencore.

 Quiroz made a plea not just for trade union interests but also for the sake of the environment and the livelihoods potentially threatened by the diversion. He called for respect of indigenous peoples rights and urged Anglo American to make safer workplaces for miners. He also criticised the company for using subcontractors and called for the elimination of sub-contracting at Cerrejon.

While Jairo Quiroz returned to Colombia, Diaz, accompanied by IndustriALL’s Director for Mining and DGOJP, Glen Mpufane, proceeded to Hanover, Germany as a guest of IndustriALL affiliate union IG BCE.

Following the German leg of his European mission, Diaz is now in Geneva for a series of Glencore related activities. His schedule includes addressing Swiss parliamentarians on Glencore abuses in Colombia. In addition, he will denounce Glencore activities to the ACTRAV representative from the ILO and will address Special Rapporteurs of the UN Human Rights Council. He will also be participating in a public event about Glencore’s hidden face in Colombia in Geneva on 4 May.

Igor Diaz said, “Having the opportunity, through the work and support of IndustriALL Global Union, to reach public areas where we can highlight workers issues is very important for our struggle, especially if it helps to improve working and social conditions in Colombia.”

Rio Tinto telling lies on precarious work?

Rio Tinto telling lies on precarious work?

During the AGM, Kemal Özkan, assistant general secretary of IndustriALL Global Union, took the floor and denounced Rio Tinto’s policy of outsourcing. Precarious workers at Rio Tinto have less job security, poorer working conditions and less social protection.

 “There is no real benefit for Rio Tinto to this massive outsourcing.  […] The reason for this business model with massive use of precarious labour is to weaken unions”.

Sam Walsh submitted apparently false reasons to justify their resort to outsourcing and precarious work.

“Outsourcing, […] is an area where clearly specific tasks [Rio Tinto] outsourced because of the particular expertise that one of our suppliers or a contractor company physically provides. It may be something that [Rio Tinto] need[s] periodically rather than regularly. And it’s the best and the most effective way of supplying that. Clearly there are times when [Rio Tinto] [has] surges and these are times when [Rio Tinto] need[s] to respond to a market up-turn […]. But let me assure you outsourcing is about giving this sort of flexibility this is not an anti-union strategy. It is more about the company recognizing the fact that in the business there are core functions that [the company] need[s] to provide [itself] and there are other you need to supplement with other expertise.” (Sam Walsh The annual general meeting for Rio Tinto plc, London April 2015)

Rio Tinto is not transparent about the use of precarious workers and does not disclose how many people work on sites it directly manages; it reports only direct employees. However a recent IndustriALL Global Union survey among affiliates representing workers at Rio Tinto’s fully or partially owned operations in 14 countries received answers in sharp contrast to Rio Tinto CEO’s claims. 

Contractors [at IOC ] are not the skilled labourers you actually had, they replace our members on a constant basis. “ (Ron Thomas, President USW IOC Labrador responding to Sam Walsh at the Rio Tinto’s AGM in London)

Among unions surveyed, the percentage of precarious workers at Rio Tinto worksites is estimated to be as high as 70 per cent. Unions at Rio Tinto report that the company is increasing the use of precarious forms of employment. Over the last five to ten years, precarious work in France has increased from five to 25 per cent of the workforce. The use of precarious work at Grasberg (Indonesia) has doubled.

There is a clear strategy to replace important parts of the permanent workforce by outsourced or casual workers. At Rössing (Namibia), following retrenchments in 2013 and 2014 combined with outsourcing, ex–retrenched employees are now being contacted to work on six-month contracts.

At Rio Tinto’s coal mines in Australia, The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) reports of Rio Tinto making permanent workers redundant while continuing to employ casual workers, replacing departing permanent workers with casual contractors and in some cases having an open policy of moving to a majority of outsourced workers.

In his response to Kemal Özkan’s statement, Sam Walsh said that Rio Tinto is

an organization who cares […] who offers good terms and conditions […]focused on health and safety.

However when resorting to precarious work, Rio Tinto generates inequalities among workers at its worksites. At Rio Tinto’s New Zealand and Alma smelters precarious workers reportedly earn 50 per cent less than direct employees. In addition, precarious workers generally have fewer benefits. Furthermore these workers are exposed to higher health and safety risks.

The fight against precarious work has become a central demand in IndustriALL Rio Tinto’s Campaign. IndustriALL latest publication Rio Tinto: The way it really works outlines the consequences of this increased use of precarious work.

MENA: IndustriALL women create their regional network

Women in the region have many achievements, but they have not been championed by trade unions. Nevertheless civil society associations seem to be more conducive to women’s participation.

Some of the meeting’s highlights were the following:

In Tunisia women get involved in trade unions at the expense of the family. In Iraq the women say they need their parents’ consent to attend union activities, even though they work side by side with men at the factory.

In Morocco two thirds of the 8000 people who work in the electric cable parts sector are women. The women suffer a lot, also for health reasons. They are forced to work very fast and then suffer from muscular stress injury or repetitive strain. It is a health hazard.  

In Morocco there are improvements in legislation and codes, but there is a gap between laws and what happens on the ground. Some women do not get paid, laws are not implemented in industry, pregnant women have no access to work, and marriage and children limit career development. “Women have unpaid work, unequal pay, no work-life balance.” Family responsibilities affect women’s future. Women working in the informal sector are the most vulnerable. Little attention is paid to women’s issues in negotiations, and their needs are not reflected in actions and demands. Sexual harassment is not taken seriously.

In Tunisia 85 percent of the textile industry is made up of women, and it is growing. Nevertheless hygiene and the lack of toilets is serious. The issues on the spot need to be addressed. Women need to aspire to higher positions, but they don’t do it because they are shackled by their daily lives.

Involvement of women in Egypt in the oil sector is practically nil. In time the men are becoming more supportive, but still the women are reluctant to participate.

In Jordan in the textile industry 60 percent of the workforce are women. Maternity leave is a burden to the employer. Now social security covers it. There are many language and cultural barriers in the textile industry in Jordan because nine nationalities work there. Working hours are long, between 8 and 10 hours a day. The productivity targets are high and leave no time for toilet breaks. Thus the Jordanian women prefer to stay home or to look for another job. Sexual harassment is one more reason why some women quit.

Violence against women was addressed as a priority theme. There are multiple types of violence at work. Sexual harassment is rampant in the textile sector. However it is difficult to prove. In addition women work far away from home, and transport arrangements are not safe. Women need someone to go to because men rarely consider it to be a problem.

In different countries wars and religious conflicts limit women’s participation.

Let the women break down the wall, let the women impose themselves,

Hashmeya Muhsin demanded.

Despite the serious challenges facing women at work and in union work, good practices in the region also show how far these women have come. The IndustriALL women’s network in Morocco was presented. The network meets regularly, conducts activities and education activities bringing women from different union national centers to work together on the key issues and to promote working women’s union participation.

Participants emphasized that women need training to overcome psychological barriers, training on ILO conventions for example and training to upgrade their skills, also in reporting.

The women worked out the following objectives for the regional network:

Monika Kemperle concluded the meeting by praising the women’s good work:

IndustriALL will definitely give support to this women’s network. These women are an example to everyone on how to meet challenges and keep on fighting.

What are you doing on May Day?

May Day has allowed millions of workers around the globe to rally in their fight for good working conditions. 

Use this day for advancing your demands and strengthening the unity of trade union ranks. Let IndustriALL know what you will be doing on May Day this year – send us your photos or videos and we will share them widely.
 

MENA unions build cooperation in auto and supplier sectors

MENA unions representing workers at different major car makers such as Renault and PSA, as well as suppliers such as Leoni, discussed working conditions and union actions with their colleagues from Germany, Spain  and France.

IndustriALL’s presentation on the situation in auto industry worldwide with special focus on MENA region made a base for the discussions during the meeting. Participants learnt about IndustriALL's activities in the sector and the importance of the company networks in assisting union organizing efforts and strengthening unions.

Union representatives from Europe explained their union structures and organizing efforts with a focus on the auto and supplier industry.

Contacts already exist, especially in the supply chain with the German union IG Metall and with unions from Renault. There were also discussions to intensify these contacts with PSA as well.

Participants decided to organize follow-up meetings to tackle the challenges for the unions in auto and supplier industry in the region and to improve cooperation of different unions in the companies concerned. Union building at the plant level will be a focus for the planned activities. This includes capacity building, further organizing efforts and networking on different levels.

“This first-ever MENA region meeting is a very important start for IndustriALL,” said Helmut Lense, Director for Auto and Rubber Sectors. “MENA is becoming more and more important for car manufacturers, and therefore we have to begin making all the necessary efforts to organize the plants to increase union membership.”

Lafarge and Holcim workers mobilize for health and safety

Workers from both multinationals used the International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers on 28 April to express their discontent with occupational safety at their companies.

From 2011 to 2014, almost 300 employees were killed while doing jobs for Holcim or Lafarge. This outrageous number has pushed workers to tell the leadership of both companies that current measures to tackle health and safety concerns are inadequate.

More serious steps and better engagement of both companies is needed before and after the merger in order to secure the most fundamental right of all workers to return home safe and sound at the end of their shift.

At Holcim’s Obourg factory in Belgium, trade unions ACV-CSC BIE and CG FGTB decided to jointly boycott the Safety Day organized by their employer and to organize a work stoppage and a general assembly to inform the workers about the bad performance on occupational health and safety of the company worldwide.

In the Philippines, workers marked the global day of action against Holcim and Lafarge by organizing a march and picket rally at government offices. The Philippine union action ended yesterday in a live radio interview airing the various actions conducted by the unions relative to the events.

In Lebanon, 350 workers at a Holcim plant held a minute’s silence for all the workers who have died while working for the company.

Actions, information sessions and work stoppages were also organized at other sites of Holcim and Lafarge in different countries in all regions of the globe.

IndustriALL Global Union assistant general secretary, Kemal Özkan said, “This merger, while opening new opportunities to the company main shareholders, cannot ignore those who by their daily work made these companies rich. Workers’ fundamental rights to safety must be respected. No merger without workers’ health and safety rights!”

Nepalese unions launch relief fund

The General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) has set up a relief fund to help people on the ground. It is the worst earthquake to hit the country for 80 years.  

GEFONT has spent the week mobilizing people to rescue victims from the rubble. It will use aid to focus on immediate relief for the countless men, women and children who have lost their homes by providing temporary shelter, clothing and food.

GEFONT will then focus on reconstruction and resettlement, employing resources nationally and internationally to support its members, working people as well as the general population.

IndustriALL, which has nine affiliates in Nepal, joins the ITUC’s call for a huge international aid effort. General secretary Jyrki Raina said:

“Our hearts go out to the families of victims and the thousands of people who have lost their loved ones and now struggle for survival without food and shelter.  We applaud unions’ drive to help the people of Nepal and the global solidarity already shown by many trade union organizations abroad.” 

Unions in Nepal have cancelled May Day festivities and will be holding a candle-lit vigil for the thousands of people who have perished in the devastating earthquake that hit the mountainous country on 25 April.

GEFONT president Bishnu Rimal said:

"This year Nepali unions will not celebrate May Day, we will mourn in the name of dead beloved ones, wish for the speedy recovery of injured people and express our solidarity with the families of victims. We will also pay tribute to those who were killed by the Everest avalanche.”

GEFONT’s finance secretary Gunaram Acharya is in a serious condition having sustained serious injuries after being caught in a landslide. 

Donate to GEFONT here. 

MENA textile unions ready to organize more

The participants discussed development of an organizing agenda for the sector, and how to improve strategic cooperation within the region, as well as with unions from other regions. The meeting started with recapping the previous meeting in Morocco in June 2015 setting stage for the discussions.
 
In a general assessment of the situation in the region, the participants noted the current difficult political and economic environment – political crisis in most countries, undercutting of labour laws, no or low adherence to international standards and the ease of international companies and brands of disengaging from a country with ease abound.
 
As such, though pressure from political forces, suppliers, and international brands, continue to make organizing new union members difficult. In some cases within the region, there has been strong union growth and improved collaboration among active trade unions.
 
Intense input and discussions around the Global Framework Agreement (GFA) between Spanish Inditex, biggest garment retailer in the world, and IndustriALL over organizing in supply chains as part of its implementation. The participants exchanged information and strategies on the ongoing progress of organizing in Inditex, especially in Tunisia. The meeting also included an introduction to an ongoing industry mapping and strategy options for union growth in MENA region conducted by IndustriALL.
 
Following intensive discussions, the participants with a strong women's representation laid out plans of action for organizing more members, especially in supplier factories producing for international companies.

Our intensive work in the textile, garment and leather sectors in MENA region continues” said Monika Kemperle, Assistant General Secretary of IndustriALL Global Union. “The plan of action drawn up at the Beirut meeting perfectly fits to the strategic goals of our global union.
 

MENA: Let us organize more!

More than 80 participants took part in IndustriALL’s MENA Conference on "Building Union Power through Organizing" in Beirut, Lebanon 20-23 April 2015. There were delegates from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Palestine, Tunisia and Yemen, as well as representatives from European affiliates from France, Germany and Spain.

The four full days included various sectorial, cross sector, networks and women meetings: IndustriALL Middle East and North Africa Textile, Garment and Leather Sector Unions' Regional Network Meeting; MENA Oil and Gas Unions’ Regional Network Meeting; MENA Regional Auto and Suppliers Sector Unions Meeting; MENA Regional Meeting; MENA Regional Women's Network Meeting.

Several MENA unions experience difficulties in organizing and reaching out to new production locations due the political disputes, terrorism, deteriorating security situations, armed conflicts in some countries and lack of laws on protecting the rights to organize.

In Egypt and Iraq, independent and free unions still struggle for fair labour and trade union laws that recognize their rights to organize freely. The emergence of ISIS in different parts of the regions adds to the daily misery of workers who cannot safely reach their workplace, and in some cases ISIS are in control of the production locations.

The Iraqi government is now turning state owned companies, more than 70 in total, into a so-called self-financing system. This means wages can only be paid if the company makes a profit. This puts the salaries of thousands of workers on hold for several months.

The Moroccan government is still reluctant to respond to unions' demand to improve citizens' purchasing power and pensions funds and to put an end to the violation of trade unions rights. The three national centres Union Marocaine du Travail (UMT), Confédération Démocratique du Travail (CDT), and Fédération Démocratique du Travail (FDT) have recently announced May as the month of protests and condemnation across the country.

In Palestine, the suffering of the workers in the occupied territories and crossings continue to be the major issues in achieving decent working conditions and increasing union membership.

In Kuwait, highly dependent on oil revenues, the government’s new project "strategic alternative" represents a direct threat on the long-standing rights and retreat on the benefits for the workers in the oil sector. IndustriALL's affiliate Oil & Petrochemical Industries Workers Confederation stands firm on defending 30,000 workers in the sector.

Participants from Libya and Yemen explained the extreme difficulties faced by workers and their organizations due to the ongoing armed conflicted and called for peaceful resolutions.

Tunisian unions have played key role in the country's transition. However revising labour code, implementation of the outcomes of the social dialogue among UGTT, government and employers' organization as well improving health and education systems are current challenges for the unions.   

The conference discussed the progress of IndustriALL’s work in various sectors and countries, as well as future perspectives on building stronger democratic and free unions. Participants shared experiences on their respective unions' structures and strategies on organizing with the purposes of improving strategies and cooperation on increasing union density at national and sectorial level.

Women and youth are important active components of MENA society. In line with the agenda of various unions from the regions, the conference discussed details on how to empower and include more women and youth in the unions. Together with the affiliates from the respective countries, IndustriALL progress on establishing women and youth networks was subject to intensive discussions.

Considering the growing number of multinational companies (MNC) operating in the region, especially in oil and gas, garment and metal sectors and the difficulties confronted by workers in organizing and defending their rights in the supply chains, the conference devoted intensive discussions on improving organizing tactics and pressuring MNCs for a constructive social dialog. Success stories from Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan and Morocco were highlighted. 

With the purpose of enforcing networking and enhancing cooperation among unions in the MNCs home countries and MENA unions in the supply chain, European unions emphasized workers' interests on both sides. Panelists highlighted the key facts on the operations of major European companies in the region as well as the ongoing bilateral cooperation between unions in Europe and MENA. Representatives from IG Metall, Germany; FTM-CGT, France; CCOO de industria, Spain and MCA-UGT, Spain pointed out potential cooperation and activities to strengthen union presence. Organizing have been planned for the coming months.  

IndustriALL assistant general secretary Kemal Özkan underlines the organization’s support for building stronger unions and promoting its affiliates’ organizing agenda:

Such unprecedented participation and inspiring discussions reflect our affiliates’ commitment and awareness. Unions with such enthusiasm and common understanding of the challenges ahead will defend their rights and achieve their members’ demands sooner or later.

Participants decided to deepen discussions in their home countries, identified potential organizing targets and adopted a slogan:

LET US ORGANIZE MORE!! – !!يلا ننظم أكتر