Pushing for legally binding agreements

IndustriALL recently participated in the Superannuation Trustees’ Forum of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), in Brisbane. The annual forum brings together Australian union-nominated superannuation fund trustee directors, union leaders and industry super fund staff to discuss key issues that affect workers’ retirement savings.

Australia’s superannuation or “super” system is a compulsory and universal system where employers are required to pay 11.5 per cent into superannuation funds for workers' retirements. Many of the superannuation funds are governed by an equal representation model which gives workers a say over the management of their savings through union-nominated trustee directors and where all profits are returned to members.

At the forum in August, IndustriALL spoke on a panel about upholding labour rights in investments and procurement, presenting its work to advance legally binding agreements between trade unions and global garment and textile brands and retailers. The focus was on the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry, an emblematic example of these binding agreements, which represent an alternative to so-called social auditing, the commonly used but ineffective supply chain due diligence model that rests on voluntary commercial auditing of worksites.

“Auditing garment supply chains is not enough; we need to move from voluntary, corporate self-monitoring to global company-trade union agreements in garment and textile supply chains,”

says Christina Hajagos-Clausen, IndustriALL textile and garment director.

Binding agreements like the International Accord have shown promise in making workplaces safer by gaining both labour and company buy-in, integrating worker representatives into governance, imposing accountability through binding arbitration, providing remedy for labour rights violations and bringing transparency to the whole process.

Participants at the ACTU Forum were interested to learn that IndustriALL and the Labour Rights Investor Network (LRIN, a body of the global unions’ Committee on Workers’ Capital) have created an investor due diligence working group, composed of investors who support the move towards binding agreements and who seek trade union guidance on how they can advance this alternative model of supply chain industrial relations.

“The upshot is that there is a working model, it is gaining headway but needs more support. Binding agreements are relevant to investors because they address portfolio risk in a high-risk sector; they have also been shown to improve safety and working conditions for workers in garment supply chains,”

says Liz Umlas, senior advisor to IndustriALL on capital strategies.

Photo: Work at a garment factory in the outskirt of HCM City, Viet Nam. © ILO/Aaron Santos

Türkiye: Steelworkers on strike for more than two months

Under the current severe economic conditions with very high inflation and sharp decline in purchasing power, there are a series of strikes in different sectors in Türkiye, particularly in manufacturing industries.

The negotiations, which were part of the fourth term Collective Bargaining Agreement process, have been bogged down in disputes since the start. Led by the general president, Yunus Değirmencİ of Özçelik-is Sendikasi, an IndustriALL affiliate,  the strike began with the full backing of the general board members, branch president and management, regional representatives and the 200 union members employed at Yolbulan Metal.

The strike has garnered significant community support, with local civil society organizations and regional mayors providing food aid to the striking workers. In addition to this grassroots support, the union itself has been a vital lifeline for the workers. In the first month of the strike, the union offered financial assistance to help members navigate the economic challenges posed by the walkout. The union has pledged to continue this financial aid for the duration of the strike.
 
Despite the efforts of the workers and the union, Yolbulan Metal’s management has yet to take any meaningful steps to address the concerns that led to the strike. As the standoff continues, the union remains committed to supporting its members both financially and morally, ensuring their resilience in the face of adversity. In the meantime, the company tries to break the strike with attempts to outsource the manufacturing, but the striking union members don’t allow those illegal acts. 
 

“As the strike drags on, the resolve of the Yolbulan Metal workers remains unshaken. Our message is clear: we are united in the fight for fair wages, better working conditions, and respect on the job. The outcome of this strike could set a precedent for labour relations in the region, making it a critical battleground for workers’ rights,”

said Yunus Değirmencİ, Özçelik-is president. 
 

“Our full support and solidarity are with the strikers at Yolbulan Metal’s during this time. We urge management to come to the negotiating table and respect workers’ rights. Without workers’ rights there cannot be a democratic world,”

said Kemal Özkan IndustriALL assistant general secretary.  
 
Yolbulan is a Turkish-based steel producer as listed among the 500 largest industrial companies in the country.
 

Turkish paper workers strike for collective bargaining agreement

On August 28, 40 workers at MKB Corrugated Box and Packaging downed their tools, demanding that the company sign a collective bargaining agreement. Organized by Seluloz-Is, an IndustriALL affiliate, the union has been working to secure fair conditions for the employees at MKB Rondo since they established a presence there two years ago. However, due to Türkiye's legal complexities, collective bargaining negotiations only commenced at the beginning of 2024.
 
After eight months of negotiations with progress on several fronts, three key issues remain unresolved: wage increases, with the union demanding 80 percent and the employer offering 45 percent; the establishment of a workplace disciplinary board; and the appointment of a workplace union representative, to which the employer has yet to respond.
 
Seluloz-Is general vice president, Kemal Yıldırım, said:

“This strike is entirely justified, our demands reflect the harsh living conditions in Türkiye. We approached this first collective bargaining process with moderation, but the employer’s refusal to compromise has left us no choice. We are right, and we will win. This is an Austrian company, and we will ensure that our voices are heard not only in Türkiye but also in Austria, particularly through our federation, IndustriALL.” 

 
IndustriALL's paper and pulp director, Tom Grinter, expressed solidarity with the striking workers, stating:

“The demands of the workers at MKB are fair, and the company must respect their rights. Striking is always a last resort, but it is the means by which workers assert their power.”

The MKB workers’ strike is a stark reminder of the growing labour unrest in Türkiye, as workers fight to defend their rights and secure a livable future amid escalating economic hardships.

Union busting in Türkiye

IndustriALL Global Union affiliate Petrol-İş successfully organized the required majority of Japanese company YKK's approximately 670 workers at their plant outside of Istanbul, and received official majority certification from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security on 21 May.

However, instead of engaging with the union, YKK management responded with union-busting, including threats and coercion to force union members to resign. These actions are in blatant disregard for national legislation as well as the company’s own code of conduct, which explicitly claims to “respect the basic rights of employees, which include the freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining."

And yet YKK is systematically refusing to engage in dialogue with Petrol-İş' ,the authorized bargaining agent.

Petrol-İş president Süleyman Akyüz says:

“Petrol-İş has organized workers at YKK, and has called on the company management to conclude a collective agreement. The company's local management objection to engage with the union is a clear violation and deterioration of workers' rights.”

Petrol-İş’ demands, supported by IndustriALL, are for the management to:

Petrol-İş general organizing and education secretary Niyazi Recepkethüda underlines that:

“Rejecting dialogue with the union is union busting and a clear violation of trade union rights, which we cannot accept. Petrol-İş’ members at YKK deserve to have a CBA with the company after a long organizing effort.  We call again on management to respect the wokers’ rights.”

In a letter to YKK, IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie urges the company to stop anti-union practices and to respect workers’ freedom of association in Türkiye:

“We urge YKK to abide strictly by fundamental international labour standards in respecting workers’ fundamental rights, particularly freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining and we equally urge YKK’s Turkish management to contact Petrol-İş immediately to commence the process to set a first collective bargaining agreement."

Photo credit: Petrol-İş

Belgian and Malagasy unions cooperate on building union power

The critical role of international trade union solidarity was emphasized at a union building workshop in Tamatave, 20 and 21 August. Additionally, the workshop stressed on the importance of locating Just Transition debates within a workers’ rights framework that included women miners’ rights at work. Malagasy unions campaign for the ratification of International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 190 to end violence and harassment in the world of work were also highlighted. Further, there were recommendations on the government of Madagascar to implement national labour laws including the mining code to enhance decent working conditions.
 
The participants included three union leaders from CSC-BIE and mine workers from Ambatovy’s nickel-cobalt mining sites in Moramanga and Tamatave. The mineworkers are members of Syndicalisme et Vie des Societes (SVS). Both CSC-BIE and SVS are affiliated to IndustriALL Global Union. Besides Madagascar, CSC-BIE also supports human rights due diligence along the supply chains in Sub-Saharan Africa and union building activities in Senegal that include innovative recruitment and organizing.
 
The workshop discussed how the energy transition from high carbon to low carbon economies impacted on workers and communities in Madagascar and is an opportunity to build union power. Participants also mentioned that Madagascar is a producer of cobalt, nickel, ilmenite, and chromium ores – which are some of the critical minerals needed for the energy transition. Additionally, the beneficiation of these minerals had potential to create decent jobs and spur economic development on Africa’s biggest island.
 
The workshop emphasized on increased efforts to recruit more members to the union. For example, there were recommendations for unions to develop a gender responsive organizing strategy, to counter discrimination when hiring women and increase women’s access to unions. The strategy would also include minimum living wages, ending precarious working conditions for women, and reducing the gender pay gap.
 
On human rights due diligence, Jan Franco, CSC-BIE international officer, said:

“This is an approach that unions can use to discuss Just Transition plans. The importance of human rights due diligence is that it addresses labour violations along supply chains, and seeks remedies from the violating companies or businesses, and that cases can also be heard in European courts.”

In May the European Union approved the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.
 

“Global solidarity on trade union organizing is key to cooperation between unions in the global north and global south. It gives the labour movement the chance to learn and reflect from experiences in different countries that are far apart and yet committed to advancing workers’ rights and interests,”

said Paule France Ndessomin, IndustriALL Sub-Saharan Africa regional secretary.

Mongolia: Industrial unions prioritize OSH and union power

Following the revision of Mongolia’s labour law two years ago unions are assessing its impact on labour conditions, especially OSH. Despite developing standards, workplace safety issues persist, with underreported incidents of worker exhaustion and industrial accidents. It is widely believed that these are only an understatement of the real problem due to under-reporting of the management.

The Federation of Energy, Geology, and Mining Workers Trade Unions (MEGM) successfully advocated for standardized rest time, inspiring the light industry union (MITUF) to push for sector-specific OSH standards. Both unions are committed to promoting OSH at national and industry levels.

Unions also discussed wage improvements and membership expansion. While a petition for wage increases in heavy industry is ongoing, a government survey on light industry wages, particularly for the 50,000 cashmere and textile workers, fell short of worker expectations.
Tamir Enkhbaatar, president of Mongolian Industrial Workers Trade Union Federation (MITUF) said:

“The participation of women and young workers are critical to strengthening unions in Mongolia, that is why we need to strategize on how to attract young people into unions, utilizing social media and digital technology will give voice for the young workers to be heard. Furthermore, during the industrial revolution, flexible forms of employment are increasing and the informal economy is expanding. In order to develop the future strategic planning of the Mongolian Industry Trade union in accordance with this change, it is essential to study the experience of the movement of international unions.”

Dolgor Duinaakhuu, president of MEGM said:

“MEGM has prioritized the incorporation of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) provisions in energy and mining agreements to ensure that its members can work in a healthy and safe environment, minimizing the risk of industrial accidents and occupational diseases. Additionally, we are collaborating with all social partners to promote accident-free working practices through comprehensive OSH training. IndustriALL’s visit in Mongolia was instrumental in clarifying the union’s stance on OSH-related issues at the regional level.”

Ramon Certeza, IndustriALL South East Asia regional secretary said:

“I believe that having strong union cultures and traditions is the backbone of a fair and just society in Mongolia. It empowers workers to stand together, collectively protect their rights, and build a future where everyone shares in the nation's progress. The critical role of women and young workers are essential leading towards that path.”

IndustriALL and unions from MEGM and MITUF are represented at the Nadaam Festival in celebrating the 107th anniversary of the trade union movement in Mongolia which organized annually by Confederation of Mongolia Trade Unions. 

IndustriALL Global Union, IF Metall and H&M Group update global framework agreement

Reflecting on eight years of partnership, this global framework agreement (GFA) marks a new level of commitment to fundamental rights of workers across H&M Group’s supply chain. It covers more than one million garment workers that are employed at the around 1,000 factories run by the manufacturers where H&M Group buys their products.

IndustriALL general secretary Atle Hoie, says on the GFA:

“With this renewed agreement we continue the important work in the sector of further empowering workers and unions in H&M’s supply chain. The GFA includes significant achievements, like the inclusion of all core ILO conventions, as well as ILO Convention 190 on violence and harassment. Neutrality in union organizing is another important element of the agreement. The national monitoring committees, a global steering committee, a joint industrial relations development committee, and importantly a dispute resolution mechanism that is bound by the decision of the independent mediator, provide a solid ground for functional industrial relations needed for a sustainable textile and garment industry.”

H&M Group CEO Daniel Ervér says:

“We are proud about this long lasting collaboration with IndustriALL and IF Metall to continue empowering workers in our supply chain. Well-functioning industrial relations including collective bargaining are key to achieving good working conditions and improved wages in our supply chain. This contributes to a more sustainable fashion industry through functioning labour markets in the countries where we source our products from.”

IF Metall president Marie Nilsson says:

“Through this agreement, we renew the commitment to realise a sustainable garment industry, where workers are organised by trade unions. Now the important part begins, ensuring that we move from policy to practice. We are excited to continue this important partnership.”

The agreement includes an updated governance structure to ensure effective implementation of the agreement, a commitment to collaborate on due diligence in line with OECD Guidelines and strengthened language on preventing and providing remedy to gender-based violence and harassment. The updates also acknowledge the importance of the industry collaboration we engage in to improve working conditions for everyone, like ACT, the ACCORD, and the RSC and Employment Injury Scheme (EIS) in Bangladesh.

The global framework agreement will continue to establish that

H&M, IndustriALL and IF Metall first signed a GFA in 2015, which was renewed in 2016.

Bangladesh: affiliates seek to hold dialogue with interim government

Affiliates in Bangladesh have strongly condemned the brutal killings of those involved in the recent protests in the country. Trade unions have called on the interim government to conduct judicial investigation of the killings and ensure that harsh punishments are meted out to those found guilty, through a fair trial. Unions have urged the government to ensure that families of all victims are adequately compensated as well as rehabilitated. 

In addition, union leaders have demanded that all factories, including garment factories, be immediately reopened and workers be paid back wages for the period that the factories were closed. Unions have also called for the withdrawal of all legal cases filed against garment workers involved in the minimum wage protest last year as well as the elimination of blacklisting workers in the recruitment process across various factories.

Affiliates also took the opportunity to press for their longstanding demands pertaining to minimum wage, anti-worker labour law amendments, trade union rights in export processing zones and decent working conditions in factories, among others. Unions are demanding that the minimum wage be replaced by living wage which is inflation adjusted as well as a subsidised food grain, under public distribution system, be introduced for garment workers on an urgent basis. 

Union leaders have also stressed the need to urgently address the country’s high unemployment rate and climate change related concerns. Currently, Bangladesh is experiencing massive flooding that has affected over a million people. The demand to ensure a Just Transition in the country as well as proper implementation of the International Labour Organization’s Roadmap also continues to remain high on unions’ agenda.

A.M. Nazim Uddin, president of the IndustriALL Bangladesh Council says:

“We extend our heartiest welcome to the interim government. We hope to work together with the government to ensure that justice and democracy prevails in the country. We have written to the honourable advisor in the ministry of labour and employment to meet with us so that we can discuss the deplorable conditions of garment workers in the country and together chart out a course of action to ensure workers’ lives and workers’ rights are protected.”

IndustriALL assistant general secretary, Kemal Özkan, says:

“Amidst the political transition in Bangladesh, it is imperative that the interim government engages in meaningful dialogue with trade unions to address the pressing issues facing workers. The brutal suppression of protests and the ongoing challenges in the industrial sectors underscore the urgent need for justice, fair wages, better health and safety and improved working conditions. The interim government must collaborate with our affiliates to ensure that the rights and livelihoods of workers are protected and that the path toward a just and equitable future is firmly established.” 

Photo: Shutterstock 

Top Nigerian union leader faces terrorism charges

The letter warned: “Be informed that in the event of failing to honour this letter, this office will have no alternative than to activate a warrant of arrest.” 
 
In reply, NLC lawyers said that the police must explain the “details and nature of the allegations” and that Ajaero will go for the interview on 29 August.
 
The charges Ajaero face arise from trade union participation in national mass action against the cost-of-living crisis whose social media identity is #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria. 
 
However, the government’s heavy-handed response led to the death of 13 protestors and the imprisonment of several others. Nigerian workers took to the streets as they are facing increasing financial hardships because of high inflation of over 34 per cent, underemployment, low wages, and high poverty. This was worsened by the removal of petroleum subsidies which led to price hikes. As some of the ways to ease workers’ plight, the unions are demanding economic policies that will lead to economic development, industrialization, and the creation of decent jobs.
 
The unions see the letter from the police as an act of continued harassment of leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and other labour leaders. “We view this as a calculated attempt to weaken and destabilize the labour movement, which has always stood as a bastion of democratic principles and the voice of the Nigerian masses,” wrote the NLC in a statement.
 

“IndustriALL urges the Federal Government of Nigeria and the police to stop the repressive actions and intimidation against trade unions and civil society organizations. Instead, the government must engage in meaningful social dialogue with trade unions, and take necessary actions to stop this injustice,”

said Atle Høie, IndustriALL general secretary.

Ajaero is also the general secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees, an IndustriALL Global Union affiliate. Other IndustriALL affiliates in Nigeria organize in the chemical, energy, engineering, oil and gas, ship building and ship breaking, textile and garment, and other sectors.
 

Youth working group backs creation of a global youth committee

In the resolution, SEA2PAC-Y stated that the global youth committee should be gender-balanced and composed of four representatives from each IndustriALL region. The structure was proposed in the draft youth policy that was prepared by the IndustriALL Global youth ad hoc working group.
 
The working group reaffirmed the youth resolution “The future is ours, the future is now!” adopted at the 2021 IndustriALL Congress. The resolution called for IndustriALL and its affiliates to recognize platforms for expression of youth's vision and youth representation at regional and international levels.
 
The SEA2PAC-Y co-chair Jean Faye Daguman said :

“ILO's 2024 Global Employment Trends for Youth report shows that 20 to 25 percent of young workers across the globe are working as temporary paid workers. The report concludes that young workers should empower themselves by joining youth organizations and raising their voices. Trade unions must create effective platforms for young workers or else they will find other organizations that fight for decent work.”

 
Participants highlighted that job insecurity is a big challenge in South East Asia. Some exploitative employers put young workers under probationary periods for two to three years. Trade unions find it difficult to organize subcontract workers due to their precarious status, young workers are fired from their jobs due to their union membership.
 
In concluding remarks, the SEA2PAC-Y co-chair Jonathan Cook said Australian unions are committed to bringing more young people to join trade unions, as a step to strengthen the labour movement. The union’s survey shows that 49 per cent of young workers are aware of Australian unions and 25 per cent of young workers are expected to join unions in the next year.

“The IndustriALL action plan calls for a transformative agenda to make unions relevant to all workers. The innovative youth policy proposal developed by our young leaders precisely addresses this challenge from a youth perspective. They are committed to contributing to improving young workers’rights worldwide and being articulated at global and regional levels is a logical strategy that should benefit everyone,” 

said Sarah Flores IndustriALL youth officer.