Union win for Turkish metalworkers amid record inflation

Following months of negotiations, IndustriALL Global Union and industriAll Europe's three affiliated unions – Türk Metal, Birleşik Metal İş, and Özçelik-İş – successfully secured a substantial wage increase. The total wage rise in the first six months stands at 98 per cent. Including social benefits, this increase reaches an impressive 105.1 per cent.

General President of Türk Metal Pevrul Kavlak said: 

"We kept our promise and received a raise exceeding 100 percent on the 100th anniversary of our Republic. The increasing cost of living in the face of rising inflation has caused challenges for especially wage earners. In such a period, we fought at the table for the metalworkers we represent to live a life worthy of human dignity.”

Yunus Değirmenci, General president of Özçelik-İş said:

“After a long and difficult struggle process, we succeeded in signing the MESS Group Collective Bargaining Agreement in line with the demands and expectations of our members, in a way that will make our members and their families smile and give them a breath of relief.”

General President of Birleşik Metal-İş Özkan Atar said:

“Metalworkers have achieved great gains today as a result of their hard and determined struggle for months. For months, we said, "We will win, the metal workers will win!", we said, "If the metal workers win, all workers win". The metalworkers won, the whole working class won! WE WON!"

In September 2023, the three affiliates initiated simultaneous bargaining efforts, affecting over 150,000 workers across 400 workplaces. However, in November, the negotiations reached an impasse and subsequently broke down, leading to the unions walking out, primarily due to unresolved disagreements over wage issues.

The employer's association, MESS, displayed a lack of cooperation for an extended period during the negotiations, prompting unions to take industrial action. The talks escalated into a conflict due to MESS's refusal to address the diminishing purchasing power of metalworkers amidst record-high inflation. 

According to the Turkish Statistics Agency TÜİK, the consumer price increase in 2023 was 64.77 per cent. However, there is widespread public scepticism about the accuracy of this statistic. ENAGrup, a collective of independent academics, estimated the inflation rate for 2023 at a significantly higher 127.21 per cent.

On December 7, 2023, thousands of Türk Metal members demonstrated their dissatisfaction by placing black wreaths* at the MESS headquarters in Istanbul and at various regional offices. Subsequently, on January 9, Türk Metal organized a one-day strike, and on January 11, they conducted protest actions during shift changes at all workplaces covered by the MESS agreement.

Birleşik Metal İş, also took industrial action with warning strikes. This involved stopping production for one hour during three shifts, totalling six hours of work stoppages per week for 1.5 months. In addition, members of Birleşik Metal İş organised rallies in the city centres where MESS member factories are located. 

The key elements of the agreement reached on 17 January 2024 are:

A pay rise that compensates metal workers for the country’s extraordinary inflation, including guarantees for the entire two-year period of the agreement

Acting Joint General Secretary, Isabelle Barthès, of industriAll Europe praises the strength and fighting spirit of the Turkish unions and congratulates them on their great achievements: 

“Turkish metalworkers demanded nothing less than their fair share of productivity and profits so that they can meet their basic costs, maintain a decent standard of living and human dignity in the face of record inflation. With record exports and sales, companies can clearly afford it.”

IndustriALL Global Union's Assistant General Secretary, Kemal Özkan, also weighed in on the remarkable success of the Turkish metalworkers:

“What a great achievement from the Turkish metalworkers under heavy economic and social conditions. Metalworkers have joined their forces and they have won. They have shown their unity in a way that such great agreement was reached even without going on strike. Bravo!”

*Traditionally in Turkey a "black wreath" is a symbol typically used in protests or as a sign of mourning. In the context of protests, it represents grief or dissatisfaction with a particular situation, entity, or decision.

Indian government continues to attack trade union movement

The Indian government recently reconstituted the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) of the retirement fund body, EPFO, after completion of its five-year tenure. The newly constituted Board excludes trade union representatives from the INTUC, All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), and All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), which had seats allocated to them in the previous body. 

The CBT, EPFO is a tripartite, statutory body constituted by the central government and consists of representatives of employees, employers and government. The Board is headed by the union minister of labour and employment as the chairman and has ten seats for employees’ representatives.

Out of the ten employees’ representatives, three members belong to the government-controlled Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), while two seats have been left vacant in the revamped Board. The membership size of trade unions determines which unions will be included in the Board and how many seats will be allocated to each of the represented unions. 

The last referendum to know the membership of unions was last done in 2002, according to which INTUC and AITUC emerged as the second and third largest unions in the country, respectively, and yet the two unions have been excluded in the new Board.

Sanjay Singh, general secretary of INTUC and IndustriALL affiliated Indian National Electricity Workers’ Federation, says:

“We strongly oppose the exclusion of INTUC from the Board. We represent millions of workers and to exclude us means the government has excluded workers’ voices. Trade unions have been demanding that the government carry out a fresh referendum to determine membership of each organisation.”

The Joint Central Trade Unions Platform has written a letter to the Minister of Labour and Employment, expressing their disapproval of the discriminatory and disproportionate representation of unions in the Board.

IndustriALL South Asia regional secretary, Apoorva Kaiwar, says:

“IndustriALL condemns the consistent weakening of tripartite mechanisms by Indian government. We firmly stand with our affiliates in their struggle against the government’s arbitrary decision regarding the EPFO reorganising.”

Kyrgyz union leader Eldar Tadjibaev must be released!

In December last year, the State Committee for National Security detained two deputy chairs of the Federation of Trade Unions of Kyrgyzstan (FTUK), as well as several chairs of sectoral unions, including Eldar Tadjibaev, chair of IndustriALL affiliate, the Mining and Metallurgy Trade Union of Kyrgyzstan (MMTUK). On 28 December, a criminal court extended the detention of Eldar Tadjibaev and other union leaders until 28 February.

The situation has continued to deteriorate over the past month, and IndustriALL has brought it to the attention of the European Commission, as well as updating the International Labour Organization (ILO).

According to Kyrgyz unions, after these arrests, law enforcement agencies have used intimidation and threats of further arrests to force all union chairs to leave their posts. As a result, all chairs of sectoral unions and all FTUK vice-presidents have resigned.

On 29 December, all members of the FTUK Council voted, presumably under the pressure from the state, to transfer FTUK-owned health centres for the temporary free use of the Presidential administration, in accordance with a Presidential decree dated 22 November 2023.

Moreover, a decision was made to hold an extraordinary FTUK Congress on 15 February. Under the current circumstances, given the enormous pressure on trade unions in Kyrgyzstan, the extraordinary FTUK Congress will presumably not be able to conduct a democratic and fair election of the trade union leadership, without direct interference from the state.

Under the banner of fighting corruption, law enforcement agencies in Kyrgyzstan are interfering in unions' internal affairs to seize union property and replace all leaders of sectoral trade unions with people loyal to the authorities.

IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie, says:

“We consider the arrest of Eldar Tadjibaev, an active and progressive trade union leader who has has always been at the forefront of fight against violations of labour rights, a way by the state to deprive Kyrgyz workers of their legitimate voice through their unions and intimidate all union leaders."

20 per cent wage increase for textile workers in Tunisia

The agreement, reached after negotiations hosted by the General labour inspection headquarters and supervised by the Ministry of social affairs, includes a wage increase of 6.5 per cent for 2024 and 2025, and a seven per cent increase for 2026. A seniority bonus of one per cent for every second year of service was agreed.

The agreement also includes revisions of a number of regulatory aspects, including amending the chapters of the Joint sectoral textile agreement on promotions. The new revisions ensure that the same grade for promotions is maintained, guaranteeing an upward career path.

Habib Al-Hazami, general secretary of FGTHCC-UGTT says:

“The increase is important to restore the purchasing power of workers in the sector. The agreement is a result of the sound social climate in the sector and responsible negotiations.”

 

Atle Høie, IndustriALL general secretary, says:

“This is an important union win given the difficulties experienced by the Tunisian economy. It is the result of the hard work of FGTHCC-UGTT over many years in organizing and improving the sectorial social dialogue. We congratulate all TGSL workers in Tunisia and the union leadership.”

Photo credit: Marcel Crozet / ILO

Fighting for gender equality in an increasingly unequal world

Men own about US$105 trillion more wealth than women, globally, which represents a difference in wealth tantamount to more than four times the size of the entire U.S. economy. Oxfam stated that in 2019 women earned just 51 cents for every US$1 in labour income earned by men. 

The report also found that globally, only one in three businesses are owned by women and that out of 1,600 of the largest companies in the world, fewer than a quarter have a public commitment to gender equality.

Oxfam says: “Low wages mean that many workers grind long hours and are imprisoned in poverty, while tireless gender wage gaps and heavy unpaid care loads reflect a global economy that rests on the systematic exploitation of women.”

All workers should enjoy equal rights, yet female and young workers remain subject to discrimination resulting in many being denied their fundamental rights. IndustriALL fights their discrimination at work by promoting their fairer and stronger participation in trade unions. Women must have equal pay, equal opportunities, and safe working environments. Gender equality ensures women have their share of well-paying jobs and receive equal pay for work of equal value. 

Last year, IndustriALL launched a Pay Equity Toolkit, developed to support trade unions in bargaining for pay equity. The Toolkit stipulates five steps that trade unions can take to close the gender pay gap. 

These steps include: 

IndustriALL assistant general secretary, Christina Olivier, says:

“The findings in Oxfam’s report are shocking and underscores the need to break the cycle of gender inequality, which is fuelled by unequal power relations between men and women, and rooted in patriarchy, harmful social and cultural norms, and discrimination. We must address these root causes, through risk management, and stop the abuse of power and inequality.”
 

We need constructive cooperation between unions, governments and employers

Says IndustriALL Global Union general secretary Atle Høie:

“Increasing inequality and decreasing democracy in societies and workplaces are serious warning signs and major reasons for the lack of trust. This year’s theme is pertinent and there are no long-term solutions without trade unions at the table.

“We need inclusive and sustainable global development, and this depends on a constructive relationship between business and workers. Unions are essential to ensuring a fair distribution and must have a seat at the table. No worker, family or community must be left behind as jobs change and industries evolve. Cooperation, a fair distribution of income and wealth and good faith collective bargaining are the only ways forward. Further increases in inequality will only exacerbate the crisis.”

Global problems demand global solutions. Now more than ever, governments, companies and unions must come together to create fair and sustainable societies. IndustriALL works with multinational companies to achieve this balance, with global framework agreements with 46 companies, including WEF industry partners H&M, AngloAmerican, Total, Engie and Aker.

In a recent post ahead of the World Economic Forum, on the outlook of 2024, Atle Høie outlines the argument that major changes and transformations call for strong unions and constructive cooperation between unions, governments and employers, using the example of the US United Autoworkers Union’s strike against GM, Stellantis and Ford, where the union won record-breaking improvements in their contracts.

“The result is hopefully a stronger labour movement in the US, and if this spreads, a shift in organizing worldwide. If this happens there is a chance for a number of breakthroughs on a number of important topics such as climate change, energy transition, mobility, inequality and more. Major changes and transformations need strong unions and constructive cooperation between unions, governments and employers as equals. Governments and employers unfortunately seem to have to learn this the hard way.”

Garment workers in Mauritius to receive compensation from leading fashion brands

In 2022 and 2023, US-based organization Transparentem, that investigates workers’ rights, scrutinized conditions at five factories in Mauritius and interviewed 83 workers.

Transparentem found multiple signs of forced labour, defined as a form of modern slavery by the International Labour Organization. The report also found workers paying illegal recruitment fees for their jobs, and that workers were subjected to deception, intimidation and unsanitary living conditions including having no access to clean drinking water, and cockroach and bedbug infestations.

After commissioning their own audits of conditions at the factories, fashion brands including PVH and Barbour have said that they will reimburse workers at Real Garment, one of the factories named in the report, up to US$508,918 in illegal recruitment fees.

Migrant workers in Mauritius are deprived of justice. Once they are on the island, they often become the property of their employer who has the sole right to cancel their work permit and expel them with the support from the passport and immigration offices. No clearance is needed from any other authority before deporting a migrant worker. 

IndustriALL affiliate Confédération des Travailleurs des Secteurs Publique et Privé (CTSP) has been supporting migrant workers in Mauritius for the last 25 years. The compensation is a major victory for the union and the workers, but there is still more to be done.  

Migrant workers are employed in the export oriented industries which include the garment and textile and manufacturing sectors. However, the CTSP has campaigned for national legislation that include the Workers Rights Act to be used to protect migrant workers against wage discrimination, precarious work in short contracts, long working hours, and low pay, and limited access to social protection and other forms of discrimination. 

Reeaz Chutto, CTSP president, says:

“Unfortunately, it is no secret that Mauritius, similar to other economies, has opted to leverage its competitiveness through the overexploitation of migrant workers. If a migrant worker dares to denounce their employer for ill treatment or abuse they are deported overnight. Either you adapt or perish. However, the success behind this victory lies in the naming and shaming campaign that the CTSP launched at global level and we also exposed the exploitation in interviews with eTransparentem.” 

“We applaud the positive news that workers will be compensated for the exploitation and commend the CTSP for their relentless campaign for migrant workers' rights in Mauritius,” 

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

In 2022, the Migrant Resource Center in Mauritius, which is located at the CTSP offices,  launched the Just Good Work Mauritius app, in collaboration with IndustriALL, Anti Slavery International and online clothing brand ASOS. Migrant workers are informed about their rights and can report cases of abuse. The information is accessible in Bangladeshi, English and Malagasy. The union also organizes regular events to help migrant workers to integrate into Mauritian life.
 

Photograph: Shutterstock

EU must end support for MADE in Myanmar and EBA policies

The EU has stated that it fully supports the work of the ILO Commission of Inquiry into Freedom of Association in Myanmar. It has called on the State Administrative Council (SAC) of the military junta to fully co-operate with the inquiry and to ensure that workers’ and employers’ organizations can exercise their rights in an environment of freedom and security, free from violence, illogical arrest, and detention. But with MADE and EBA the EU is doing the opposite.

ILO’s report, released last year, found huge violations of freedom of association, and forced labour Conventions and urges the military authorities to cease violence and repression against trade unionists. The report also found that the SAC did not ensure that workers are able to exercise their rights in freedom and security. The findings detail: violence against unionists, issuing of arrest warrants and the cancellation of passports, forced labour, the use of human shields, forced recruitment to the military and the imposition of martial law. 

In a letter to the European Commission, IndustriALL Global Union and industriAll Europe are clear that in this context it is impossible for MADE in Myanmar to fulfil its stated aim for improving labour conditions and workers’ rights. Without freedom of association and expression, the heightened human rights due diligence required by the EU is not possible. 
 
IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie says: 

“The continued support for these policies provides a vital lifeline for the miliary allowing them to maintain power. The sooner its support is cut, the sooner the regime can be replaced by the legitimate body the National Unity Government (NUG).”

Both organisations urge the EU to reconsider their policy. 
 
Judith Kirton-Darling, acting joint general secretary of industriAll Europe says:

“MADE in Myanmar and EBA must be stopped! We call on the EU to work towards implementing the ILO recommendations in a democratic Myanmar as outlined by the tripartite structure.”

More and more EU brands have reached this conclusion and have committed to a responsible exit from Myanmar. Last August H&M, the world’s second biggest retailer, announced that it has decided to gradually stop sourcing from Myanmar, as reports of labour abuses in garment factories in the country increase. The most recent brand to announce their exit is German retailer Lidl. 

Unions promote and boost global dialogue with Saint-Gobain Group

Originally a mirror manufacturer founded over 350 years ago, the Saint-Gobain Group has now diversified its production to include construction materials, high-performance products, and other materials and services. The group is present in 75 countries and directly employs around 168,000 workers in about 900 sites and 2700 points of sale and showrooms. Since 2021, the group has been achieving outstanding market results, characterized by an abundance of cash flow, with a total of 51.2 billion euro of annual sales in 2022.

The global union network debated the company’s current situation and its position in the market. The primary focus of the group's strategy appears to enhance the perception of stock market investors, with the aim of boosting the share value via gaining better trust of shareholders and investors. While on one side it works partly in the interest of employees, where about eight per cent of the shareholders are employees of the company. The workers are concerned that operating on purely financial goals will lead to undermining workers’ rights especially in the countries with weak labour legislation.

The delegates assessed the results of the annual survey regarding Industry 4.0’s impact on workers in different parts of the world. The survey revealed that most workers noticed a negative impact of Industry 4.0, resulting in elimination of some jobs and higher skills demands imposed. Unions are using different strategies making sure workers interests are considered. The delegates decided to continue monitoring the situation and exchange best practices and related union demands in order to assist each other in facing this challenge.

During the meeting, union delegates had the chance to engage in a debate with, social affairs director at Saint-Gobain, Regis Blugeon. They brought up local issues and discussed possibilities for expanding social dialogue with the group internationally. 

The delegates paid particular attention to the situation in Eupen, Belgium, where the shocking closure announcement by Saint-Gobain Innovative Materials Belgium left 55 workers facing unemployment. The discussion centred around the company's failed strategies and the desperate need to find a buyer for the Eupen site. The plight of the workers at Eupen became a symbol of broader issues within the group, highlighting the need for a more sustainable and employee-centric business model.

Alexander Ivanou, IndustriALL materials director said,

“Our network once again provided a valuable chance to gain a comprehensive understanding of the various challenges encountered by Saint-Gobain employees globally and to demonstrate our support. The reports from the delegates highlighted the importance of global social dialogue, an effective method for addressing and resolving problems and disputes. While we appreciate the possibility of casual exchanges with the company leadership, we however reiterated our invitation to the company to urgently start building an institutionalised social dialogue.” 

Indonesian unions demand investigation of ITSS furnace explosion

The company is based at the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP), in Central Sulawesi. This giant industrial complex has the capacity to produce 3.0Mt nickel pig iron and 3.0Mt stainless steel per annum. It reportedly employed 28,500 workers and covered 3,000 hectares of land. 

The initial investigation shows that the explosion occurred while workers were repairing the smelter furnace. The leakage at the bottom of the furnace and the presence of oxygen tanks used for repairs caused the explosion.

Eleven Indonesian trade unions and NGOs, including IndustriALL Global Union’s affiliate SPN, issued a press statement condemning ITSS for its negligence which caused the industrial accident. 

They pointed out that the smelter furnace must be shut down before repairs are carried out, the pursuit of high productivity by the company and bypassing safety protocols is the cause of this preventable tragedy.

“We call for a thorough investigation against ITSS for deliberately subjecting workers to dangerous working conditions. The company must take full responsibility for the accident and provide compensations to workers and their families. All companies located in IMIP must engage trade unions in improving safety standards, both ITSS and IMIP must stop intimidating workers who document workplace accidents.” Said Iwan Kusmawan, chairperson of IndustriALL Indonesia Council and SPN's head of international department.
 
IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie sent a solidarity letter to Indonesian affiliates in the mining sectors extending leadership's heartfelt condolences to the families of workers who died in the accident and wishing the wounded workers a speedy recovery.
 
“IndustriALL is ready to cooperate with Indonesian affiliates to ensure human rights due diligence in the battery supply chain. All multinational companies must be held accountable for unsafe and unhealthy practice in their supply chain. We must put workers’ lives before profit,” added Atle Høie.

Photo: SPN