BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto workers in Chile on 24 hour strikes

Escondida Union Number 1 called out its 2,800 members for 24 hours on both days, including all shifts and involving both miners and workers at the company port of Coloso.

"We took the decision in the light of the inflexible attitude of the Escondida management, which systematically breaks labour laws", said the union. The workers are against the extension of working time and want improved health and safety measures, including steps to protect against working at high altitudes.

The strike is a warning and an appeal for an end to breaches of the law and other irregularities. Union representatives met company executives on Wednesday 17 September and reiterated the need to address these issues.  However, the meeting failed to produce any practical proposals to resolve the dispute anytime soon and so the union decided to continue with its plan to mobilize the workers and confirmed the strike call.

BHP Billiton has a 57.5 per cent controlling interest in the mine, while Rio Tinto has a 30 per cent stake. Rio Tinto mining operations are often the scene of major labour disputes and IndustriALL has emphatically denounced the company for its bad employment practices.

UN body criticizes free trade

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, UNCTAD, has released its latest Trade and Development Report. Contrary to the prevailing free market ideology, the report argues that trade constraints are due to weak global demand, rather than to high trade barriers so efforts to spur exports through wage reductions will be counter-productive. What is needed is robust domestic-demand-led recovery at the national level.

In his overview of the Trade and Development Report, UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi sounds a loud alarm bell about the erosion through trade agreements of policy space, defined as ‘the freedom and ability of governments to identify and pursue the most appropriate mix of economic and social policies to achieve equitable and sustainable development.’ He notes that ‘Provisions in regional trade agreements have become ever more comprehensive, and many of them include rules that limit the options available in the design and implementation of comprehensive national development strategies.’

The report notes a resurgence of interest in industry policy and highlights the importance of industrial policy that is focused on development. Developing countries must have the widest possible room to develop policies that work in their particular conditions and ‘not be subject to a constant shrinking of their policy space by the very international institutions originally established to support more balanced and inclusive outcomes.’ It urges governments that are aiming, for example, to maintain macroeconomic stability by re-regulating their financial system, to carefully consider the risks in entering into bilateral and plurilateral trade and investment agreements which reduce policy space.

IndustriALL General Secretary Jyrki Raina says:

It is reassuring to know that the UN body responsible for identifying the true relationship between trade and development agrees with IndustriALL about the primary role of industrial policy in job creation, growth and development and is a strong advocate for more policy space for governments to enact laws in the interests of their own people.

UNCTAD’s head of globalization, Richard Kozul-Wright, told the Financial Times that free trade will not return the global economy to growth and that developing countries in particular need more freedom to conduct their own economic policies outside the restrictions imposed by bilateral, regional or global trade agreements. He mentioned Brazil as a country that has managed to use “vertical” industrial policies to promote individual sectors, along with minimum wage legislation and income distribution programs.

The UNCTAD report argues that countries that sign trade agreements in order to take part in global supply chains reap little, if any, benefit from these deals. Indeed it may lock them into low value-added activities due to competition on low wages, while tight control over intellectual property and branding strategies of MNCs prevent them moving up the value chain.

Affiliates take action on 7 October

Unions are organizing protests and rallies to mobilize their members and bring visibility to the fight to STOP Precarious Work. In Uganda, as part of the activities on 7 October 2014 IndustriALL affiliates are planning to hold a workers' protest rally with a subsequent press conference under the theme: "Sustainable Industrial Policy is a key to Elimination of Precarious Work”. In Indonesia, where the National Women Council is planning to launch a campaign aiming at improving the working conditions of women precarious workers, IndustriALL Indonesian Council is organizing a rally in front of Bundaran HI with at least 500 (half of them women) workers. In Colombia, IndustriALL affiliates alongside with the trade union centrals will participate in a rally protesting against the current government economic measures.

In countries where the legislation on precarious work is about to be modified, affiliates will articulate the global campaign to their national fight for a better legislation. In Philippines, where there are numerous abuses of contracting out of work, IndustriALL Philippines affiliates will hold a conference on security of tenure which was proposed by the Philippines trade union movement aimed at curbing agency labour. IndustriALL affiliates in Zambia are planning to submit a petition to the Labour Commissioner requesting the government to put an end to the use of precarious work. This action will be in support of the labour reform bill, which in part deals with reforms on precarious work.

In Norway, unions will focus their action on migrant workers. The Norwegian national confederation together with its member unions, including IndustriALL affiliate Fellesforbundet, will arrange a conference on 7 October on precarious work with a special focus on major sports events. In 2014, the Norwegian unions have been drawing attention to the precarious conditions faced especially by migrant workers in constructing infrastructure for major sports events.

Affiliates will also mobilize through their networks in multinational companies. Rio Tinto workers will take action at their worksites, while unions attending a meeting of the SKF World Union Committee will debate the issue and consider a resolution for action within SKF.

These are some of the activities already planned by IndustriALL affiliates.

Mauritius: planned actions 2014

In Mauritius on 7 October Confederation des Travailleurs du Secteur Prive whose member Chemical Manufacturing and Connected Trades Employees Union (CMCTEU) is also an affiliate of IndustriALL is organizing a candlelit march to the Workers' monument at Rose Hill. Workers are expeceted to join the march at the end of their working day, press is also invited. A meeting will be held next to the monument where workers will deliver testimonials about their suffering.

Kazakhstan: free unionism is now either a criminal or administrative offence

Coming into effect as of 1 January 2015, these acts opened the possibility for the government bodies to intervene in trade union activities, while restricting the possibility of strikes, meetings and street protests.As a matter of fact, at the beginning of September 2014, the Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Kazakhstan (KSPK) has submitted to the Committee of Experts of the International Labour Organization (ILO), a critical analysis of the newly adopted national law "On Trade Unions", seriously limiting the opportunities for trade union movement of the country.

Already at the stage of consideration as a bill the law "On Trade Unions" was gravely criticized by the international trade union movement and the International Labour Organization. Despite that the law was adopted by the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan in June this year.

The review makes a detailed analysis of the articles of the law related to the freedom of internal trade union activities, such as the ability of trade unions to define own structure, put forward demands and realise their right to strike as well as the problems regarding the union registration by the state bodies, reorganization and liquidation. In particular, the law makes it difficult to exercise the union right to push forward demands to the employer and to strike.

In accordance with the law the sector trade union should be established by not less than half of the total number of employees or organizations in the industry, or should have structural subdivisions in more than half of the regions, cities of national significance, as well as in the capital, which can lead to even greater trade union monopoly at the enterprise and sector level.

“This recent legislation is very worrying and appalling, particularly when it is coupled with earlier happenings” said Kemal Özkan, Assistant General Secretary of IndustriALL Global Union. “Kazakhstan is a critical country for the jurisdiction of our global union, and we will continue to give support democratic unionism in the country”.

Crown continues union busting in Turkey and Canada

USW has responded by filing a complaint with the Labour Relations Board in Ontario, Canada.

One of the world's largest manufacturers of food and beverage cans, Crown provoked the strike at its Toronto factory on Sept. 6, 2013, by demanding massive concessions despite doubling its profits and giving the plant its top award in North America for productivity, safety and efficiency.

"We believe Crown is out to bust the union and is not interested in negotiating an end to this dispute," said USW International Vice-President Fred Redmond who has been handling the negotiations.

In March, workers rejected the company's demands by a vote of 117 to 1 after Crown offered few assurances that workers could return to their jobs. In its most recent proposal, Crown said it wants to cut the wages of most workers by as much as one-third.

In Turkey, Crown lost its challenges of the certification of IndustriALL affiliate Birlesik Is and was forced to recognize the union. However the company is refusing to bargain in good faith and a work stoppage appears likely. Crown has already dismissed numerous workers because of their union involvement.

IndustriALL continues to support USW and Birlesik Metal Is in disputes with Crown. IndustriALL held a meeting in Geneva in February of unions at Crown in Europe and North America to develop a program of fighting back against Crown attacks.

IndustriALL Assistant General Secretary Kemal Özkan participated in actions at the Crown annual general meeting in Philadelphia, USA in April. IndustriALL also organized in April a delegation of two striking workers from Canada to Turkey, Switzerland, Italy and France.

IndustriALL has also sent, jointly with fellow GUF the IUF, a letter to Crown’s customers demanding they ensure Crown respects workers’ rights.

IUF is pressing this demand in meetings with a number of Crown customers in the food and beverage sectors where IUF affiliates have members.

"We will continue to support our affiliates in Canada, Turkey and wherever else they come under attack by this vicious, anti-union company, Crown Holdings,” said Özkan.

Brands say they will pay more for clothes made in Cambodia

The brands, which include one of Cambodia’s biggest buyers, H&M, as well as Inditex (Zara) and Primark, have written to the Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and the Chairman of the Garments Manufacturers Association (GMAC) saying they are ready to factor higher wages into their pricing.

Furthermore, the brands, which also include Next, New Look, C&A, Tchibo and N Brown Group, say they want to see cooperation with trade unions in the workplace.

The letter, sent the day after the global day of action on 17 September, states:

“Our purchasing practices will enable the payment of a fair living wage and increased wages will be reflected in our FOB prices, taking also into account productivity and efficiency gains and the development of the skills of workers, carried out in cooperation with unions at workplace level.”

Jyrki Raina, general secretary of IndustriALL Global Union, said:

“We welcome this unparalleled letter in which the brands state their willingness to incorporate higher wages by paying more for garments. Factory owners have no excuse not to pay their workers more. What's more, the Cambodian government should raise the minimum wage significantly. The letter also shows the brands recognize that unions are key to securing better worker rights, a fair living wage and a stable market.

The letter also met with approval from Ath Thorn, president Cambodian garment, C.CAWDU, who stated: "The message from the brands is an important development. It is progress for Cambodian workers but it doesn't absolve the brands of their responsibility to take real action and negotiate directly with workers. We know from past experience that just a letter isn't strong enough – the brands must take additional action immediately to ensure a higher wage for Cambodian workers. To achieve long-term stability and decent wages, we need the ones who make the biggest profits to be accountable." 

Ken Loo, GMAC’s secretary-general, said: “GMAC is pleased to receive this letter as this is the first official commitment that we are aware from any buyer committing to pay higher FOB prices to ensure that workers can be paid a fair living wage.”

However, Loo added that other brands needed to offer similar assurance.

The brands go on to warn that while they are committed to sourcing from Cambodia, they expect the government and employer’s association GMAC to resolve the current deadlock in labour relations.

“To support the forecast volumes, there is a requirement to see a positive attitude and support for the establishment of freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining, fair living wages, stability and peaceful conflict resolution. This will then deliver the assurance and necessary trust in Cambodia to continue promoting the market as a strategic sourcing country.”

Thousands of garment workers donned orange T-shirts in their lunch hour to demonstrate outside factories on 17 September for an increase in the minimum wage from US$100 to US$177 per month. The action was supported by IndustriALL Global Union, UNI Global Union and the ITUC. Scores of NGOs also supported and there were pickets at stores across the world.

On the same day, tri-partite discussions took place between the government, GMAC and unions. The Labour Advisory Committee, charged with determining the new minimum wage, is set to meet again on 26 September with a decision expected in early October.

IndustriALL has eight garment union affiliates in Cambodia.  

Ends.

For more information please contact:

Leonie Guguen

[email protected] 

Tel: 00 41 (0)22 308 50 24

[email protected]

Switchboard: 00 41 (0)22 308 50 50

www.industriall-union.org

Egyptian unions fight for living wages

Living wages are a critical issue in Egypt, particularly in the garment sector where in one factory workers have not received wages for 7 months An IndustriALL workshop held on September 7-8 in Cairo was attended by representatives from affiliates and potential affiliates of the newly formed Egyptian independent unions in IndustriALL jurisdictions.

Demands to raise the minimum wage have given rise to dozens of strikes and industrial actions across Egypt over recent years. During a 2006 strike, workers at the Mahalla textile factory demanded an increase to the minimum wage to1,200 LE ($166). In 2010 a court ruling in Egypt raised the minimum wage to 1,200 LE which was not implemented by the government.  

Following workers struggles and several industrial actions, this year the Egyptian cabinet finally adopted the 1,200 LE as the new minimum wage for the governmental sector. However, for trade unions and workers activists the government decision comes too late. They are demanding a higher minimum wage which takes account of price increases and increased living costs. Further, the government decision excludes millions of Egyptian workers from the new minimum wages, including those employed in the private sector. 

Collective bargaining strength to achieve higher wages

A representative from the neighboring Tunisian unions attended the workshop and described how their emphasis on improving rights for women workers has helped mobilise women workers in support of wage demands. The Tunisian focus is on collective bargaining to deliver wage outcomes rather than waiting for the government or the judiciary to raise wages.

At the workshop, the Egyptian unions decided to create a national trade union living wage coordinating committee to elaborate their position and adopt a national campaign on the issue. The meeting concluded that, as in Tunisia, developing collective bargaining strength and capacity at industry level is the best strategy for achieving higher wages.

This will require creating the necessary structures for bargaining, including identifying employer counterparts to bargain with – a key issue to be raised in the context of current proposed amendments to the labour law. Particularly in occupations dominated by women, efforts will be made to integrate women into collective bargaining and to promote equal pay and the value of women’s work. The unions will also continue to fight for higher minimum wages through the government process.
 

Ebola impact expected on West African workers

An outbreak of Ebola in the developed world would be easily overcome but West Africa has been unable to contain the disease which has been ongoing for several months now due to poor health services as well as other public service failings. It is having a devastating effect on health services in several ways. It has claimed the lives of health workers that do not have adequate protective gear to work with infected patients, putting more strain on limited human resources to respond to health needs in these countries. It has resulted in the closure of health facilities unable to deal with Ebola patients which has left thousands without care for this and other illnesses.

The longer the outbreak remains uncontained, the greater the risk of the potential negative impact on the economy. Airlines are suspending travel and borders with neighbouring countries have been closed. Multinational companies are scaling back and pulling foreign staff out of affected countries. Other countries in the region have also been affected by fear of the outbreak spreading which has affected trade and other economic activities even where there are no reported cases of Ebola.

In a letter to affiliates in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, IndustriALL Global Union’s general secretary, Jyrki Raina expressed grave concern of the impact that the outbreak is having on workers and writes; “Our affiliates have an important role to play monitoring the economic impact, in terms of slow down or stoppage in production by companies, especially in the mining sector and its implications for labour in the form of layoffs. Particular attention also is needed to the impact on migrant workers.”

Some IndustriALL affiliates in affected countries feel they should be assisting in efforts to contain Ebola, in particular educating workers about the disease and how it is spread. IndustriALL has encouraged affiliates to work with and support Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, who have provided the most comprehensive response to the disease thus far.

The Steelworkers Humanity Fund has contributed US$25,000 for Ebola support in West Africa, providing funds to both MSF and a local NGO with ties to the labour movement that will undertake a public health education campaign. The Steelworkers Humanity Fund focuses primarily on development projects and emergency aid in developing countries, but also supports Canadian communities in crisis. United Steelworkers (USW) members contribute to the fund through clauses negotiated into collective agreements and in some cases employers make matching contributions.

IndustriALL also encourages affiliates that would like to help to follow the example of the Steelworkers Humanity Fund and support the work of MSF and other credible NGOs on the frontline of the outbreak. 

Dominican unions map out living wage action plan

Despite the country being ranked as an upper middle income economy, the purchasing power of workers has plummeted by 27 per cent over the past ten years. Minimum wages are now among the lowest in Latin America – second only to Mexico – having been overtaken by poorer countries such as Haiti and Bolivia.

Some thirty leaders from IndustriALL’s seven affiliated unions, along with Batay Ouvriye from neighbouring Haiti, came together as part of a global living wage project supported by the FES.

At the heart of the action plan agreed by the unions is a push to overhaul the ineffective existing wage setting mechanism. The objective is to secure an increase aimed at recuperating lost purchasing power, followed by indexation in line with inflation.

The FTZ sector unions also agreed to examine the issue of targets and production pay in the garment export sector and to campaign to stamp out the under-reporting of social security. 

In addition, the participants learned about progress made in Haiti to force garment suppliers to pay the minimum wage and improved piece rates, and agreed to share information about wages and conditions in Dominican-owned factories operating on both sides of the border.