Numsa strike enters its fourth week

“The strike continues and has not been suspended. Our members, at the coal face of the strike will make the final decision on whether to end the strike or not,” says Castro Ngobese, national spokesperson for IndustriALL Global Union affiliate, Numsa.

Workers are demanding double-digit wage increases of 10 to 12 per cent for three years, scrapping of labour brokers and a housing allowance. They also want a section in the Main Agreement removed to end discriminatory practices by employers giving allowances and other benefits to higher-paid workers.

Media reports on 21 July 2014 say that the employers’ association, the Steel and Engineering Federation of South Africa (Seifsa), has conditionally accepted a wage proposal for a 10 per cent increase in each of the three years, in an arrangement facilitated by the Department of Labour (DoL).

It is unclear whether further proposals made by the government on labour brokers have been accepted by employers, including a clause saying “Employees engaged by a labour broker and placed in employment in industry on a temporary, permanent or permanent outsourced basis shall be entitled to all terms and conditions of employment as contained in the Main Agreement, including all Social Security Benefits from day one of employment.”

A special National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting has been held by Numsa in Johannesburg this week to deliberate the proposed settlement offer. After the meeting, the union will report back to members for their consideration and mandate. It is only after this consultation that an announcement can be made on whether a deal has been reached.

The NEC appreciated the resoluteness and unwavering firmness of workers in demand of a living wage,” said Ngobese. “The NEC was humbled by the numerous messages of support and solidarity we continue to receive on daily basis from our allies here at home and abroad.”

Convictions confound Swazi reform hopes

The US Department of State has said it is “deeply concerned by the convictions of human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko and magazine editor Bheki Makhubu”. Sentencing of the pair has yet to be scheduled but they could face long prison sentences or a hefty fine.

The press statement, dated 22 July, from Marie Harf, Deputy Department Spokesperson 2014, also added:

“Their convictions for contempt of court for publishing an article critical of the High Court of Swaziland—and their ongoing prolonged detention—appear to undermine respect for Swaziland’s human rights obligations, particularly the right to freedom of expression, which is enshrined in Swaziland’s own constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United States strongly supports the universal fundamental freedom of expression and is deeply concerned by the actions of the Swazi Government.”

Apparel accounts for most of Swaziland’s exports to the US, which was valued at USD 50 million in 2013. Without duty free access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), it is unlikely that these exports will remain competitive. US President Obama announced in June 2014 that Swaziland was no longer eligible for AGOA. This was a result of lack of progress over a number of years to make the required reforms to qualify for the preferential trading status, including respect for the rule of law and the right to organise. When the exclusion comes into effect on January 2015, concerns are that exports to the US will immediately plummet.

Maseko and Makhubu have served more than 100 days in prison since their arrest in March this year. Their conviction on 17 July 2014 has been condemned worldwide, not only as a violation of rights of Maseko and Makhubu, but also because it instils fear that will lead to self-censorship of the Swazi people on matters of the state for fear of arbitrary sanctions. It has also led to many questioning the credibility of the judiciary in Swaziland as an instrument of repression, serving the interests of King Mswati. Mswati rules Swaziland as an absolute monarchy that has been under a state of emergency since 1973. Sentencing has yet to be scheduled but they could face long prison sentences or a hefty fine.

“We are distressed by this conviction, for what it means for human rights in Swaziland but also because we had hoped that the exclusion of Swaziland from AGOA may have prompted urgent reform,” says Fernando Lopes, Assistant General Secretary of IndustriALL. “This is not a good sign and we are deeply concerned for the precarious position of the garment sector in Swaziland now.”

Turkish glass strike ban taken to ILO with official complaint

The government issued a decree on 27 June to suspend for 60 days a major strike in the glass industry in Turkey, on the grounds of it constituting a risk to “public health and national security”. That move was a breach by the government of ILO Conventions 87 and 98 on Freedom of Association and Right to organise and collective bargaining.

The 5,800-worker Kristal-İş strike began on 20 June at ten factories of Turkey’s largest glass manufacturer, Sisecam.

The belligerent decree is based on article 63 of the legislative act no. 6356, the Law on Trade Unions and Collective Agreements. The legislation effectively bans the strike as it imposes compulsory arbitration following the 60-day suspension. The Turkish government uses the regressive law on a routine basis to stifle workers from exercising their right to strike. This was the ninth major strike stifled in this way by the government since year 2000. The government has never indicated a reason why any of the suspended glass worker strikes would be harmful to public health and national security.

On the day of the decree, 27 June, IndustriALL Global Union general secretary Jyrki Raina wrote to Prime Minister Recep Erdoğan:

It constitutes a clear attack on the right to strike, which is one of the fundamental workers’ rights, guaranteed by the conventions – which have been ratified by the Turkish government – and the jurisprudence of the International Labour Organization.

On 21 July, following the complaint submittal, general secretary Raina wrote to ILO Director-General Guy Ryder:

“IndustriALL Global Union fully supports the above-mentioned complaint. We would like to apply to the Committee of Freedom of Association and the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations.”

The ILO Committee of Freedom of Association has in the past ruled in favour of Kristal-İş in a complaint against the government’s misuse of this legislation.

Kristal-İş Şişecam workers continue mobilizing and conducting activities such as marching on the company headquarters in Istanbul.

See the full argument and explanation in the complaint text here.

IRMA releases precedent-setting international standard for responsible mining

The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) includes stakeholders from the mining industry, trade unions, nongovernmental organizations, affected communities and businesses. IndustriALL and the USW serve on the IRMA steering committee.

The proposed Standard for Responsible Mining is a set of principles to improve social and environmental performance that seeks to emulate for industrial-scale mine sites what has been done with certification schemes in agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

IRMA Steering Committee member Glen Mpufane, IndustriALL’s Director for the mining industry stated,

The success of IRMA is a key priority for IndustriALL’s mining sectoral activities. IRMA will continue to build multi-stakeholder dialogue charged with achieving responsible mining. IRMA is the first international certification procedure to include proper worker participation and therefore will be the first to award credible certifications on mines with high social and environmental performance.
When a certification body is set up and run by the companies themselves it is not surprising when irresponsible employers that abuse workers and the environment are awarded certificates of good practice.

"As Canada's mining union, we are proud of our contributions and that of IndustriALL Global Union, a global union federation to which we are affiliated," said Ken Neumann, USW National Director.

"Each of us wants a future where mining companies make a positive contribution to local communities and minimize any impact on land and water, while serving the needs of modern society," said Jon Samuel, Group Head of Government and Social Affairs at international mining company Anglo American. "Though we don't always see eye to eye on every issue, IRMA has developed a draft set of leading edge practices and a new definition of more responsible mining."

After the Oct. 22 comment deadline, revisions will be made to the draft Standard for Responsible Mining and a second draft will be released for an additional comment period before the final standard is prepared. The goal is to develop a certification scheme based on independent third-party verification and in compliance with ISEAL Alliance's Code of Good Practice for standard setting.

Union fights for safety after 5 killed in Indian shipyard

Five workers were killed and eight others injured in a gas explosion at the Alang Shipbreaking Yard in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat. All of them were migrant workers.

ASSRGWA summoned the meeting of Alang’s safety officials, under the supervision of the Government Port Officer, Factory Inspector and Assistant Labour Commissioner, on 21 July 2014. Attended by 167 safety officers, safety supervisors and mukadams (field supervisors) at the yard, participants discussed the recent fatalaties, and how to prevent future accidents through the creation of a safe working environment.

The five workers who lost their lives on 28 June 2014 were breaking up a scrap chemical tanker ‘D.V Perin’ for ship breaking company, Paras Steel Corporation. The accident has again highlighted employers’ apathy towards adopting foolproof protocols of disposing or dismantling the hazardous scrap such as chemical tankers. Worker safety has long been an issue for ASSRGWA at the Alang ship breaking yard which has had 15 fatalaties since January.

Following pressure from ASSRGWA, an inquiry has been set up by government authorities to investigate into the causes of the accident. The union has also insisted that the yard is kept closed until the investigation is completed.

Brother VV Rane, coordinator of IndustriALL’s shipbreaking project, was among the first ones to visit the accident site. "Gross negligence and a lack of commitment towards safety by the Paras Steel Corporation, together with indifference from regulating and enforcement authorities has lead to the industrial homicide of five workmen, causing irreparable damage to their families,” said Rane.

As well as demanding an inquiry into the incident, ASSRGWA is seeking compensation for the families of the deceased, as well as the injured workers. ASSRGWA has also appealed to the Inter Ministerial Committee and India’s National Human Rights Commission for those responsible to be brought to justice swiftly, as well as a speedy compensation claim procedure.

IndustriALL Global Union’s affiliates central in Serbian general strike

Bypassing established parliamentary procedure; the Serbian government is attempting to push through a raft of legislative attacks on workers in the country. Unions are protesting the passage of the proposals to Parliament without the consensus of the country’s Social and Economic Council.

The Serbian government is being pressured into implementing the sham austerity agenda by foreign corporate power.

“We stand with you in your necessary struggle against this attack on workers in Serbia” said IndustriALL General Secretary Jyrki Raina in his letter to the Serbian affiliates. “Count on our support, we march with you shoulder-to-shoulder”.

Specifically, the laws that the government aims to amend are: the Labour Law; Law on Privatization; Law on Bankruptcy; and the Law on Retirement and Disability Insurance.

The low wages and social protections in Serbia risk being further weakened across the board of minimum wage, pensions, disability insurance, severance pay, holiday allowance, legal duration of temporary contracts, and trade union bargaining. While zero consultation has been afforded to the Serbian unions they have been forced into strike action.

Two national trade union centres, UGS Nezavisnost and the SSSS confederation organized the general strike. IndustriALL affiliate GS IER Nezavisnost mobilized 1,000 members from many different regions of Serbia to march in the capital Belgrade. Many of the union’s members have not received their salary for over a year and were only able to participate in the demonstration by union organized transportation.

Over 15,000 workers demonstrated on 17 July in front of the Parliament Building. Four IndustriALL affiliates participated, GS IER Nezavisnost and three members of the SSSS confederation, the Autonomous Metalworkers union of Serbia-SSMS, the Autonomous Trade Union of energy and petrochemistry workers of Serbia, and the Autonomous trade union of textile, leather and footwear workers of Serbia.

Milorad Panović, president of GS IER Nezavisnost, reported on 17 July:

Today, we have proclaimed a general strike which will continue until our demands are met. We ask the government and parliament to stop the proposed changes to these laws. The party in power, together with their coalition parties, has 207 votes in the Parliament, out of the total of 256, if they want to withdraw the proposed amendments, they can do it easily.

Take action to release Iranian trade union leader

Concern for Shahabi, who has been in prison for trade union activities since 2010, has heightened since his health drastically deteriorates due to his hunger strike lasting more than six weeks.

Shahabi, who is Treasurer of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company Workers’ Union in Iran, went on hunger strike on 1 June 2014 after being transferred to from Evin Prison in Tehran to the even more brutal Raja'i Shahr Prison in Karaj.

He has since been hospitalized and is very weak, suffering from serious health issues as he risks his life for his demands.

Shahabi, an Amnesty International prisoner of conscience, is appealing for sick leave for medical treatment for a back condition; a return to Evin prison when he leaves hospital; implementation of article 134 of the new Islamic Penal Code; and his conditional release.

In a letter to ITF acting general secretary, Stephen Cotton, IndustriALL offered its full support to the ITF in its campaigning and demanded “the immediate and unconditional release of Brother Reza Shahabi and proper medical treatment for securing his life. The IndustriALL family strongly feels that global unions should work together to mobilize solidarity for making sure that Iran respects human and trade union rights.”

IndustriALL also calls on all affiliates to support ITF’s LabourStart campaign in support of Reza Shahabi.

Namibian tannery workers back at work

About 120 workers had been on a legal strike since 28 June 2014 after negotiations deadlocked on the demand from workers for transport to and from work. The strike was resolved after intervention by the Labour Ministry which led to a mediated process. Workers accepted that the company’s promise to look into the issue of transport by next year’s negotiation, the company said it required more time to plan for this.

A 9% wage increase was agreed on across the board and the company agreed to back pay on the increase from March 2014 when the negotiations should have been concluded. Workers’ bonus pay, which the company threatened to withhold if workers went on strike, will to be negotiated as normal in October 2014.

“The union is happy if workers are happy, “says Narina Pollmann, Deputy General Secretary of Manwu. “Workers were willing to meet the employer half way on their wage demand and were understanding of the company needing for more time to plan for transport. But the strike showed that in the next negotiations, workers’ demands on transport need to be taken seriously.”

Concerns on health and safety at the tannery had also been raised and Manwu is satisfied that labour inspectors have been sent out to investigate and will provide the union with a report.

EC Project on Organizing ICT, Electrical & Electronics Workers: Training Session in Taiwan-R.O.C.

The ROCMU-IndustriALL Global Union Organizing Seminar on ICT, Electrical & Electronics Workers took place on 11 July in Jungli, Taiwan. 42 union officers from various age groups and 16 plant level unions, including non-affiliated unions in the sector participated.

Over the past 20 years, Taiwan has become an important player in the global value chain of the electronics industry, and many Taiwanese MNCs has been expanding their business to the Asia-Pacific countries. On the other hand, the prevalence of precarious work has also rapidly increased in Taiwan, especially in the young generation while the labour movement has been splitting into several groups and weakening its power. The unions in Taiwan are now under pressure from the need to create a strong solidarity base to secure good quality jobs and organize unorganized workers.

In the keynote lecture, Mr. Wang Hou-Wei, director of the Department of Employment Relations, Ministry of Labour pointed out that in recent years, 44% of labour-management disputes are related to creating/joining a union and in many cases the workers failed to organize because of the strong pressure by the management. He therefore mentioned that the unions should develop the alliance/federation in the industrial level to create scale advantage on union activity including finance schemes to hire full-time organizers and/or labour lawyers.

Kan Matsuzaki, director ICT E&E sector at IndustriALL Global Union explained the importance of organizing workers at Taiwanese MNCs such as Hon Hai Precision (Foxconn) and asked the unions for active involvement on IndustriALL’s campaign. He also gave the concrete example of Japanese Denki Rengo-JEIU who is aiming to organize the workers at 1,534 companies by 2020, on mapping out the target companies, reaching out to key persons at unorganized workplaces and attracting workers to join the union.

In the meeting, the unions actively discussed how to strengthen the unions’ cooperation and how to organize a stronger union. As a result of the discussion, the unions confirmed the need of an internal reformation process which will focus on strategic training on organizing and separation of politics and trade union activity. ROCMU will work on the coordination for the future cooperation among the unions to re-vitalize the trade union movement and organizing drive.

Unions reject disastrous Peruvian reforms

The package was approved by Congress on July 3 and could be signed into law as early as next week. IndustriALL Global Union has written to Peruvian President Ollanta Humala urging him to shelve the proposed measures and instead to engage with trade unions and other interested parties in a debate on growing the economy while ensuring full respect for labour, social and environmental rights.

In its letter, IndustriALL stressed the importance of promoting sustainable development so that the needs of the present can be met without sacrificing the needs of future generations.

In an attempt to reactivate the economy, the Ollanta government is caving to employer pressure and backtracking on advances made earlier in its three-year administration.

In 2008, the then newly-elected government passed a law on workplace health and safety with the promise of forging a new culture of risk prevention and enforcement through labor-management health and safety committees. Employers resisted implementing the law, with disastrous results: 436 workers have died in the last three years in industrial accidents.

The government is now letting employers have their own way with a series of cost-cutting measures that will allow them to outsource accident prevention to third-party service providers, reduce the frequency of health testing, limit the time available for trade unionists to be involved in health and safety issues, and decrease fines and criminal penalties in cases of violations.

The government is also turning back the clock on environmental regulation. The proposed changes would weaken the regulating body OEFA and the Environment Ministry which was created in 2008 as a condition for signing a free-trade agreement with the U.S. The proposed changes will also reduce fines in the event of environmental damage and speed up the approval process for permits in key sectors such as mining and energy, which is likely to increase social conflicts over the use of natural resources.