EGYPT
On 7 October, IndustriALL affiliate in Mahalla Egypt organized a seminar where the problems of precarious work were discussed.
On 7 October, IndustriALL affiliate in Mahalla Egypt organized a seminar where the problems of precarious work were discussed.
The Labour Advisory Committee (LAC), composed of government, factory and union representatives, was due to reveal the new wage for 2015 on 10 October. Instead, wage negotiations have been postponed to an undecided date in November.
In frustration, garment workers from a coalition of six different unions, including IndustriALL Global Union affiliate, NIFTUC, donned bright pink t-shirts emblazoned with the slogan ‘We want a decent wage’ in a huge rally on 12 October.
It is the largest garment sector demonstration in the Cambodian capital since wage protestors were shot dead by police in January this year.
Unions accuse the LAC of delaying proceedings in an attempt to wear down their demands for a significant increase in the minimum wage, which currently stands at US$ 100 a month.
There are set to be a series of demonstrations by unions until an acceptable minimum wage is set by the LAC.
IndustriALL’s general secretary, Jyrki Raina, said:
Deferring a decision on the minimum wage has only strengthened workers’ resolve for better pay. As the LAC dithers, unions will simply continue to mobilize to make their voices heard. We urge the LAC to put an end to this uncertainty and agree to a significant pay increase for garment workers as soon as possible.
USW
In the USA, IndustriALL affiliate the United Steelworkers (USW) employed at Rio Tinto facilities in Utah marked the World day for Decent Work and the Rio Tinto Day of Action by demanding justice for precarious workers. They distributed the global flyer to all their members at the Rio Tinto Kennecott operation.
Although problems at Bingham Canyon have not been as severe as in other places, such as Canada, Mongolia, Madagascar, Australia and Indonesia, we are showing our solidarity with our union sisters and brothers in other parts of the world,
said Bob LaVenture.
ILWU
IndustriALL affiliate the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), at ILWU Local 30 of Boron,participated and supported in meetings and rallies at shift changes at the Rio Tinto US Borax plant on 7 October to show solidarity with Rio TInto workers around the world.
Union Activists passed out flyers to all ILWU members at the mine to urge them to stand up and fight for all unions under the Rio Tinto umbrella around the world to get a fair contract and a safe workplace.
We know this for a fact at Boron. During our struggle with Rio Tinto during the 2010 Lockout unions around the world showed us support.
said Dave Liebengood, ILWU Local 30 President
IndustriALL affiliate the Federation of Energy, Geology and Mining Workers’ Trade Unions of Mongolia (MEGM) participated in the Rio Tinto global day by handing out the Rio Tinto Ugly Truth flyer both at the mine site in OT and in the streets of the capital city of Ulaanbaatar.
IndustriALL affiliate in Madagascar, the Fédération des Syndicats des Travailleurs de l’Energie et des Mines (FISEMA) produced a banner for the global day advertising Rio Tinto's excessive use of precarious labor. They also took their concerns about precarious work to the CEO of Rio Tinto Madagascar on 7 October.
At Rio Tinto's Madagascar Minerals operation, there are double the numbers of contract workers as permanent staff.
The IndustriALL affiliates in Indonesia held an action in front of Bundaran HI, Jakarta to mark the World day for Decent Work and the Rio Tinto Global day of Action . Around 500 workers, including their key leaders, joined the activity. The workers came from 10 federations, which included: FSP KEP, CEMWU, SpN, FSP2KI, LOMENIK, FSPMI, FSP2KI, GARTEKS, ISI, FPE, and KIKES. IndustriALL affiliate the Chemical, Energy and Mines Workers Union (CEMWU) took this opportunity to raise the issues that workers face at Rio Tinto/ Freeport and Geo Services.
The IndustriALL Indonesia Council urge the Indonesian government to abolishe the contracting and outsourcing system in Indonesia labor law and that it ratify ILO Convention No 176 and 183 on Maternity Protection.
IndustriALL Affiliate the Amalgamated Engineering, Printing & Manufacturing Union (EPMU) held a Rio Tinto 2-hour stop work meeting in Invercargill in support of the Rio Tinto Global Day of Action.
EPMU members working at the Tiwal Point Aluminium smelter are concerned by the number of worker injuries at the plant.
IndustriALL affiliates, the CFE-CGC (Confédération française de l'encadrement – Confédération générale des cadres), the CGT (Confédération générale du travail), the CGT-FO (Confédération générale du travail – Force ouvrière) and the CFDT (Confédération française démocratique du travail) distributed "Rio Tinto , the ugly truth" flyers at worksites and at the union offices.
In Paris, at Rio TInto France, workers wanted to know more about the campaign. A general assemply was later organized to provide more information to workers about the precarious working conditions at Rio Tinto globally.
