Bangladesh in crisis: IndustriALL calls for peace, democracy and justice

The protests began on 1 July following a High Court decision to reinstate a quota system that allocates one-third of civil service positions to relatives of those who fought in Bangladesh's 1971 war of independence. The Supreme Court has since scrapped most of the quota, leaving it at five per cent, but the government’s heavy-handed response resulted in the deaths of over 450 students, activists, and workers, along with thousands injured.

Many women workers have faced harassment and assault, and there has been a severe crackdown on civilian access to information and freedom of expression, including an internet shutdown.

Against the insecurity over people's lives in the country, Parliament was dissolved on 5 August after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had fled the country. On 7 August, Dr Mohammad Yunus was appointed chief adviser in Bangladesh and will form an interim government.

This unprecedent situation is directly affecting workers, particularly those in the manufacturing industries. The protests have also highlighted broader governance and human rights issues in Bangladesh.

IndustriALL Bangladesh Council (IBC), made up of IndustriALL affiliates, has engaged with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) to demand:

Bangladesh’s garment workers have long endured difficult conditions, including low wages, unsafe working environment and suppression of labour rights. The minimum wage protests since 2023 have seen many workers and trade union activists arrested and subjected to violence, including police brutality. It is a time to build a sustainable future for the RMG sector with proper wages and working conditions.
 
A.M. Nazim Uddin, IndustriALL Bangladesh Council president, says:

"Workers and their families have been severely affected by the recent unrest, blockades, and curfew. Hundreds of thousands of precarious workers, including those in the garment, chemical, and shipbreaking industries, have lost their earnings in recent days. Commodity prices have also surged. We appeal to the government led by Dr. Yunus to restore and uphold human rights and to ensure the development of human-centred policies.”

“The situation in Bangladesh is heartbreaking. We're deeply saddened by the loss of lives during the unrest. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims, and everyone affected by this violence. It's alarming that Bangladesh is among the ten worst countries for working people, according to the 2024 ITUC Global Rights Index. It is time for the interim government in Bangladesh to restore rule of law and respect freedom of speech, honour its commitments to international human rights bodies including the ILO, and engage in meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders, including trade unions,”

says Atle Høie, IndustriALL general secretary.
 

Unions fight new Mauritius law exploiting migrant workers

In Mauritius, many migrant workers are trapped in debt bound to agents, repaying loans taken to cover exorbitant recruitment fees. Others endure appalling living conditions and face unfair labour practices and intimidation from employers, exposing them to forced labour.

Most migrant workers in Mauritius are employed in manufacturing, including textile and garment industries. They come from countries such as Bangladesh, India, Madagascar, China, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.

IndustriALL affiliate, the Confederation des Travailleurs des Secteurs Publique et Prive (CTSP), is actively campaigning against the amendments. The changes would exempt employers from contributing to migrant workers' retirement funds and social protection schemes. In protest, the union plans to picket outside the Ministry of Labour offices on 10 August, marking the United Nations World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

Mauritian laws stipulate that migrant workers should enjoy the same terms and conditions of service as local workers. This includes protection under the Workers’ Rights Act (2019), which safeguards against discrimination based on gender, race, nationality, and sexual orientation.

The Employment Relations Act (2008) guarantees freedom of association, the right to organize, and collective bargaining. Additional laws protect workers' occupational health and safety rights.

According to the CTSP, the amendments undermine existing collective bargaining agreements and propose to reduce migrant workers' salaries by up to 20 per cent for work of equal value.

“Labour contractors will not contribute anything towards social protection and pensions, yet they will enjoy guaranteed cheap labour. Unions are against models that rely on cheap labour to the detriment of migrant workers,”

said Reeaz Chuttoo, CTSP president.

Paule France Ndessomin, IndustriALL regional secretary for Sub Saharan Africa, emphasised:

“There is a need for social dialogue between the government, unions, and other stakeholders on the implications of these amendments. Laws should strengthen existing legislation, not undermine it. It is commendable that the CTSP has consistently protected workers’ rights in Mauritius through the Migrant Resource Centre, which the union operates at its office building.”

Day 103: Turkish metal workers' strike

In July 2022, Türkiye's labour ministry certified the union's authority at Mersen’s Gebze plant, a France-headquartered electrical products sub-industry manufacturer, however Mersen management opposed this and filed a lawsuit to block the union, preventing workers from exercising their rights. Despite multiple court rulings favouring the union, the company refused to negotiate.

During mediation, the company increased pressure on workers, dismissing four union members in February, this year. This led to a strike starting in April. Mersen’s unlawful actions continued, with management forcing non-striking workers to work outside their job descriptions, to break the strike, and harassing union members.

“We have endured rain, mud, and holidays in this tent for over 100 days. We will resist until we win our rights,”

said Halil Yap, a Mersen worker.

Another worker, Mehtap Bakır, added,

“whether it is 100 days or 1,000 days, we remain strong. Our resistance is valuable and hopeful.”

Özkan Atar, general president of Birleşik Metal-İş, emphasized:

“We will persist. We urge Mersen to respect their ethical guidelines, recognize our union, and begin negotiations for a collective agreement.” 

“Our full support and solidarity are with the strikers at Mersen during this time. Victory will belong to those resisting! The struggle continues,”

said Kemal Özkan IndustriALL assistant general secretary.

On 28 May Birleşik Metal-İş held a press conference in front of the French Consulae and presented officials with a file of these violations.

Protecting workers’ rights in Southeast Asia amid transformation

The OECD Employment Outlook 2023 reported that AI might cause a decrease of 14 million jobs, with a quarter of jobs expected to change. Workers in the manufacturing and finance sectors are particularly concerned about job security.

While companies are integrating AI to enhance productivity, around 69 per cent of trade unions do not have AI provisions in their collective bargaining agreements. The use of AI to collect workers' data could also exacerbate discrimination, threaten privacy, and interfere with freedom of association.

IndustriALL Global Union assistant general secretary Kan Matsuzaki emphasized the need for trade unions to manage new technology, ensuring workers face minimal risk and benefit from the transformation. He stressed the importance of transparency from companies regarding the introduction of new technologies.

"Through social dialogue, workers should receive proper education on new technology. We must negotiate beforehand so employers cannot simply introduce new technology and dismiss workers if they cannot catch up. Singapore's company training committee is a good example of managing industry transformation,"

Matsuzaki added.

IndustriALL has established an Industry 4.0 expert group to develop a policy paper on digitalization, AI, and Industry 4.0 by November 2024. The main principles include: 

During the virtual IndustriALL regional meeting on Industry 4.0, 40 trade unionists from Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand shared their views on industry transformation in the region.

It was suggested that trade unions lobby members of parliament to enact laws related to Industry 4.0 and AI. Governments must regulate the widespread use of robots in Chinese electric vehicle facilities in the region. Trade unionists called for comprehensive Just Transition provisions in collective agreements to preempt the replacement of workers by robots.

"Unlike Japanese automotive companies in Thailand that use 80 per cent workforce and 20 per cent robots, Chinese electric vehicle plants use only 20 per cent workforce. This practice does not benefit workers and has serious consequences for downstream auto part suppliers. We must protect job security through industrial policies and collective agreements,"

said Winai Tintanod, vice president of the Confederation of Thai Electrical Appliances, Electronic Automobile & Metalworkers (TEAM).

“Unions must adapt to these technological changes to safeguard workers' rights, ensure decent working conditions, and promote sustainable economic growth. Our collective future depends on safeguarding the dignity and livelihoods of every worker in this digitalized economy,”

said Ramon Certeza, regional secretary of IndustriALL South East Asia.

IndustriALL demands worker protections in Pakistan

The provincial governments of Sindh and Punjab are currently amalgamating existing labour laws into unified labour codes. According to IndustriALL’s affiliates in Pakistan, these proposed amendments will undermine the hard-won rights of workers. The new laws are expected to increase precarious employment conditions and limit workers' rights to unionize and engage in collective bargaining. These anti-worker changes will further jeopardize the situation of working people who are already struggling with a severe cost of living crisis amid the country’s current economic and social challenges.

Affiliates also report that the governments of Punjab and Sindh have failed to hold constructive social dialogue with key stakeholders, including trade unions. As a result, workers’ concerns have been entirely disregarded in the legislative reform process. Undermining the tripartite structure could lead to increased exploitation of workers and a significant decline in their quality of life.

Atle Hoie, IndustriALL’s general secretary, stated in a letter to the government:

“We urge the government of Pakistan, along with the governments of Punjab and Sindh, to engage in social dialogue with trade unions, including IndustriALL’s affiliates, to address workers' concerns regarding the proposed legislative changes and ensure that the new law does not adversely impact workers’ rights.”

 Affiliates in Pakistan have appealed to the Government of Pakistan to respect international labour standards, including ILO Convention 144 on Tripartite Consultation, and to strengthen the framework of labour administration and inspection systems. Pakistan has ratified ILO Convention 144, as well as eight out of the ten core conventions of the ILO.

IndustriALL emphasizes the urgent need for the Pakistani government to respect workers' rights and engage in meaningful dialogue with trade unions to ensure that any changes to labour laws protect and enhance the rights and welfare of workers.

Photo: Shutterstock

Liberty Steel crisis worsens

The situation at Liberty Steel’s continental steel facilities has been steadily deteriorating since autumn 2023. Last week, the situation took a dramatic turn with severe restructuring announcements, sending shockwaves among European steelworkers.

On 23 July, Liberty Steel management announced its intention to go forward with massive layoffs at its Ostrava plant in Czechia, by closing the coke ovens and halting the iron and steelmaking facilities. Up to 2,600 workers now face the risk of redundancy. With the company’s bankruptcy, there is uncertainty about paying notice periods and severance packages for dismissed workers. On 29 July, the Labour Office of the Czech Republic announced a support program including career guidance, retraining, and wage subsidies to help Liberty Ostrava workers who will face the threat of job loss.

In a letter to OS KOVO, IndustriAll Europe and IndustriALL Global Union expressed their solidarity with Liberty Ostrava workers in their fight to keep their jobs at the steel plant. They fully support OS KOVO’s call on Liberty Steel’s creditors, the Czech government, and the European Commission to take responsibility. 

Other Liberty Steel operations also face extremely worrying developments. On 25 July, the District Court of Częstochowa declared the Polish Liberty steel plant bankrupt and appointed a receiver to take over plant management. The company has appealed the court’s decision. In Hungary, the one-off July bonus, collectively agreed upon in June with local unions at Liberty Dunaújváros, was not paid. Moreover, despite the June collective agreement foreseeing a pay rise, over 1,000 workers saw their wages cut by 30 per cent due to an imposed change in shift schedules.

IndustriAll Europe and IndustriALL Global Union condemn these decisions, which could irreversibly damage Europe’s strategic steel production capacities and threaten the livelihoods of thousands of workers and their families. Trade unions have made it clear that they refuse to let workers bear the brunt of mismanagement and the lack of effective support from public authorities.

Public action is urgently needed to safeguard Europe’s strategic steel assets from collapse. Policymakers must commit to a genuine Steel Action Plan.

Los Mineros celebrate victory at ArcelorMittal Mexico

More than 3,000 ArcelorMittal workers in Cárdenas, Michoacán, affiliated to section 271 of the National Union of Mine, Metal, Steel, and Similar Workers of the Mexican Republic (SNTMMSSRM, also called “Los Mineros”), held an assembly on 18 July. During the assembly, they voted to end the strike that started on 24 May.

The workers initiated the strike in response to a disagreement over the profit-sharing for the 2023 fiscal year presented by the company. After two months of struggle, they reached an agreement with ArcelorMittal. The agreement includes the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS) who will appoint an external accounting firm to conduct an audit for the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years. The results will address the union’s disputes within 35 working days after the agreement is signed.

If a favourable balance is calculated, ArcelorMittal commits to making the payment within the following 20 working days. Additionally, the STPS confirmed that the tax administration service will respond to objections regarding the 2021 fiscal year no later than April 2025.

Other agreed points include:

The company also agreed to withdraw the special procedure aimed to terminate individual and collective relations at ArcelorMittal and to refrain from retaliation against workers and the union. Additionally, they will withdraw labour and criminal lawsuits.

Los Mineros issued an official statement saying:

“We know that, after the various reviews conducted by tax authorities and other bodies, the agreed-upon reviews will prove us right. We hope the company reconsiders its future actions to avoid the economic and social issues triggered by such movements. Nevertheless, we remain committed to resolving our differences within the legal framework, through dialogue.”

Napoleón Gómez Urrutia, general secretary of Los Mineros, senator of the Republic, and member of IndustriALL’s executive committee, celebrated the unity of Los Mineros. He praised the members of section 271 for their fight for justice and dignity and assured that they would continue to strive for more achievements and better working conditions.

Finally, IndustriALL base metals director, Patrick Correa, said:

"We congratulate Los Mineros on this significant victory. We know it was not an easy struggle: the strike took place against a backdrop of widespread abuses in ArcelorMittal operations around the world. These violations are so serious that they have led the global union network to make approaches to the company demanding tangible changes and a commitment to workers' safety, rights, and dignity around the world. 

The collective voice of the ArcelorMittal union network, made up of affiliates from 18 countries, including Mexico, will continue to defend these fundamental principles until they are fully implemented and respected throughout the company's operations."

Zambian unions reject unjust laws stifling workers' rights

The unions say the proposed amendments take away the rights that workers are enjoying and replace them with unfair provisions that violates workers’ rights. For example, while the Act protects the right of workers to refuse a transfer and opt for a severance package, the proposed amendments allow for the termination of employment and reduced terminal benefits if a worker refuses a transfer.
 
Currently, the law allows for payment of gratuity for long service of up to 25 per cent of the wages earned during the contract period, while proposed amendments want to reduce the gratuity to below 16 per cent. Further, the amendments propose unpaid forced leave, summary dismissals with loss of benefits, and moving away from monthly to weekly pay without explaining why this is necessary.
 
The Zambian Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) said the proposed amendments are seeking to reverse the gains that trade unions have made in advancing workers’ rights and will make workers destitute.
 
The ZCTU, an IndustriALL Global Union affiliate, said the proposals are “working against the government’s desires to move the Zambian people out of poverty. Poverty eradication is only possible through stable and well-paid jobs. In addition to creating jobs, we also need to improve conditions for working women and men, but not earning enough to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.”
 
The unions’ rejection led the government to withdraw the amendments. Brenda Tambatamba, minister of labour and social security announced on 19 July that the government was withdrawing “the proposed amendments from the ministry of justice and suspending consultations until further notice.”
 
George Mumba, general secretary of the Mineworkers Union of Zambia, affiliated to IndustriALL said:

“It is unacceptable that the government of Zambia can propose amendments that brazenly violates workers’ rights. As trade unions we have fought hard for these rights and reject the anti-worker proposals that are a threat to the right to collective bargaining.”

Glen Mpufane, IndustriALL director of mining and lead for health and safety, said:  

“The right to refuse unsafe work is threatened by these proposed amendments. If a worker refuses to be transferred to do unsafe work, they can be dismissed. This violates national and international labour standards.”

Nigerian unions and federal government agree on new minimum wage

Unions wanted at least N250 000 ($156) which would have been a step towards a living wage. The previous minimum wage of N30 000 ($19) had become an outdated poverty wage eroded by high inflation. The last minimum wage review was done in 2018.

To push for the demands for new minimum wages, unions went on national strikes in 2023 and a national shutdown in June. One of the recommendations in the memorandum of understanding signed by the federal government with the unions was the setting up of a minimum wage committee. The unions argued that the low minimum wages had lost value and were no longer adequate against the increasing cost of living. Food prices and transport costs had hiked following the removal of petrol subsidies. Further, the unions wanted pro-poor economic policies and food security in one of Africa’s largest economies with a population of nearly 230 million people.

Unions cited Section 16 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in their campaigns and pickets for better wages. The Section calls for

“adequate shelter, suitable and adequate food, a reasonable national living wage, old age care and pensions, unemployment, sick benefits and welfare of the disabled are provided for all citizens.”

Joe Ajaero, NLC president said the federation’s emergency national executive committee resolved to support the proposed minimum wages.

“This decision, though challenging and far from our initial demand, was made in the spirit of solidarity and sacrifice for Nigerian masses to avert a threatened further hike in the price of petrol which would inflict more hardship on the already suffering masses.”

Ajaero is also general secretary of IndustriALL Global Union affiliate, National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE).

“We cautiously welcome the minimum wages and support the union's efforts towards a social contract that will improve wages in Nigeria,”

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

NUMSA wins after strike at Ford Motor Company in South Africa

Despite the legal setback, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), whose members led the strike, successfully negotiated for a return to work and averted the job losses.
 
The union reached an agreement with the Ford management for a once off payment of R20 000 ($1089) to each worker, and not to take disciplinary action against the striking workers. The workers then resumed work on 12 July.
 
NUMSA, an IndustriALL affiliate, has 3,000 members out of a workforce of 5,500 workers at the Silverton plant. According to Ford, its operation supports over 60 000 indirect jobs on the value chain, and exports over 500 000 locally assembled Ford Ranger pick-up trucks.
 
The workers went on strike to demand profit-sharing in addition to bonuses after Ford Global declared profits of over $25 billion in the last financial year according to industry reports. NUMSA argued that only shareholders and management were benefiting from the profits and not the workers. The union stressed that Ford could afford the profit-sharing.
 
However, the union did not reach an agreement with the Ford management over the profit-sharing even after the case was brought before the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA) on 11 June. The strike which began on 4 July, was then interdicted by the Labour Court, which ruled that the collective job action was unprotected according to the law.
 
NUMSA welcomed the agreement with the management.

“This is a victory for the workers. As a union we believe that the working class must benefit from the profit that is generated because workers create wealth. It would not have been possible if our members were not united in their demands,”

said Irvin Jim, NUMSA general secretary.
 

“Profit-sharing helps to cushion the South African automotive workers against the increasing cost of living. NUMSA is commended for continuing to stand for more benefits to the workers so that they can continue to afford looking after their families,”

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