Ghana mineworkers vow to continue fighting for better working conditions

Amongst its achievements the union lists the dollar indexing agenda which led to minimum wages in the mines being at least US $500 and the signing of collective bargaining agreements that gave benefits to the workers that included allowances and incentives.

“The enviable working conditions are making working in the mines in Ghana a hot cake today,” said the union.

The achievements underpinned the union’s resolutions at the 13th Quadrennial Delegates Conference held in Obuasi, about 273 km from Accra, 12-14 December, which was attended by over 200 delegates, under the theme: “Building trade union resilience in a rapidly changing world of work: Strategies for 2024 and beyond.” The resolutions included promoting the use of digital tools by union members including mobile apps, online meetings, webinars, forums, and social media. Further, the union said it will implement an education programme on workers’ rights as enshrined in the Labour Act (2003) and international labour standards as strategies to counter workers’ rights violations and promote health and safety.

The union also announced that it will engage in efforts to improve social security, pension schemes, and rejuvenate the union through recruitment of young workers and women. The union argued that these approaches will help curb the declining membership and promote sustainable mining that protects the environment and community interests and creates green jobs. The union called for the effective regulation of artisanal and small-scale mining.

“Despite the significant transformation in the world of work being fraught with challenges, the hopes and aspirations of workers and their unions for decent employment and fulfilling lives remain unwavering. The pursuit of fair wages and improved working conditions in this four-year period shall continue unabated. GMWU remains committed to advocating for social and economic justice, striving to enhance the working, and living conditions of its members and their families, and transforming society for the general good of all stakeholders,”

said Abdul-Moomin Gbana, who was re-elected general secretary.

In what can be described as a major achievement for the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) youth programme, for the first time in the history of the 79-year-old GMWU, Agnes Ama Agamasu, became the first ever young woman to be elected as second vice chairperson. She is also the current vice chairperson of the SSA regional youth committee.

Paule France Ndessomin, IndustriALL regional secretary for SSA who attended the conference said:

“I would like to congratulate the GMWU for successfully hosting the quadrennial conference, discussing pertinent worker issues that included campaigns against precarious working conditions and other non-standard forms of work, and electing a new leadership for the next four years. It is a milestone that we also have a young woman as a member of the union executive. Additionally, it is important to emphasize that participatory democracy is a cornerstone that makes trade unions collective organizations of the workers.”

Uniting for workers' rights: the US-Brazil partnership

Valter Sanches, former general secretary of IndustriALL and now an advisor at the Brazilian Ministry of Labour and Employment, spoke on the initiative's origins.

"The partnership, proposed during the G7 meeting in Japan, reflects a mutual commitment to global labour issues, furthered by a Memorandum of Understanding signed in July.”

The PWR commits to creating meaningful job opportunities within the clean energy sector while protecting workers' rights. Mark Mittelhauser, associate deputy undersecretary for international affairs at the U.S. Department of Labour, emphasizes the multifaceted approach of the PWR.

"It's about integrating the ILO Just Transition guidelines, fostering international cooperation, and promoting responsible clean energy supply chains,"

Mittelhauser explains.

Central to the PWR's mission is the empowerment of workers. Mittelhauser highlights the partnership's focus on enabling workers to claim their rights effectively, especially the right to organize and bargain collectively.

"Empowering workers, especially those vulnerable or underrepresented, is key to closing pay gaps, combating discrimination, and advancing equity,"

he continues.

The PWR recognizes that advancing workers' rights extends beyond national legislation. The initiative leverages various tools and resources, such as the U.S.'s prohibition on goods made with forced labour and strong labour standards in trade agreements, to incentivize decent work in supply chains.

"Our goal is to work collaboratively with Brazil and other partners to support a broad range of activities in key supply chains,"

Mittelhauser notes.

For Brazil, Sanches explains that the success of this partnership hinges on the active engagement of workers and trade unions. Mechanisms like the 'Concilioū' and the revitalized National Labour Council in Brazil ensure their voices are heard. Despite some challenges, the ongoing dialogue between various ministries and unions is key to implementing the initiative effectively.

The partnership also marks a significant step for the U.S. in its global labour rights agenda.

"President Biden’s commitment to being a pro-worker president and the recent Presidential Memorandum on global labour rights underscores our efforts in this partnership,"

says Mittelhauser.

The US-Brazil Partnership for Workers' Rights is more than an agreement; it's a testament to the power of international cooperation in addressing global challenges. Through its comprehensive approach to promoting decent work and protecting labour rights, the PWR sets a new standard for global labour initiatives.

"This partnership is not just about policies; it's about people – ensuring that every worker has a voice and an opportunity to thrive in a rapidly changing world,"

says Mittelhauser.

The PWR is open to welcoming more countries to join this cause.

“Looking ahead, the PWR aspires to raise important labour issues on the global stage. Brazil's upcoming G20 presidency and the potential involvement of countries like Canada, Argentina, Mexico, and South Africa underline the initiative's far-reaching implications,”

says Sanches

"The partnership is encouraging and sets a new global standard for protecting workers. The initiative's focus on clean energy and the just transition is promising. As we welcome this collaborative effort, we remain committed to ensuring that the voices of workers are at the forefront, driving meaningful change in the labour landscape worldwide,"

says Atle Høie, IndustriALL general secretary.

Bangladesh: dismissed workers reinstated with ACT interim dispute resolution mechanism

In December 2021, workers at Dekko Designs Ltd, who supply major brands like ASOS, H&M, Inditex, Tchibo, Bestseller and Next, tried to form a union in the workplace with the support from BGIWF. However, in January 2022, the union registration application was rejected by the Department of Labour and the proposed office bearers of the union, including the general secretary and president, were dismissed by the factory management.

With the assistance of IndustriALL, BGIWF filed a complaint under the ACT Interim DRM regarding the dismissals for exercising their right to freedom of association and organizing.

After almost two years and multiple rounds of negotiations which included participation from IndustriALL and international brands sourcing from Dekko Designs Ltd. a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the factory and the union on 26 November 2023. According to the MoU, three workers, including the general secretary and president of the proposed union, will be reinstated, starting in February and March 2024 respectively, with full payment of back wages, while two other workers will be given severance benefits.

Apoorva Kaiwar, IndustriALL south Asia regional secretary, says:

“This is a significant victory for the union and the workers at Dekko Design. IndustriALL salutes the struggle of BGIWF; the resolution of the complaint will go a long way in strengthening the faith of unions in the interim dispute resolution mechanism.”

ACT is an agreement between global brands and IndustriALL Global Union that aims to transform the way wages and working conditions are currently set in the global textile, garment and footwear sector. ACT has been actively engaged in Bangladesh since 2020, and the Interim Dispute Resolution Mechanism established under ACT, has played an important role in addressing grievances related to workers’ rights, including Freedom of Association, retrenchment and due payment of wages and benefits.

Several cases pertaining to violations of the workers’ right to freedom of association have been filed by IndustriALL’s affiliates under ACT interim DRM. In November 2020, The Akota Garment Workers Federation (AGWF) filed a complaint regarding the dismissal of fourteen workers in Sung Kwang Apparels for taking part in union activities. Factory management not only illegally terminated the workers but also pressed criminal charges against them in order to undermine the union. The complaint was resolved when an agreement was signed between the union and management that included withdrawal of criminal charges.

In March 2023, Sommilito Garment Sramik Federation (SGSF) submitted a dispute regarding the harassment of union leaders in Mondol Intimate. After a series of negotiations, the dispute was resolved in June 2023. In July 2023, Bangladesh Federation of Workers Solidarity filed a complaint regarding the dismissal of union organisers in Ananta Casual Ltd. The complaint was resolved when an agreement was reached that the terminated workers would be given full severance benefits.

Malawi energy utility suspends 14 striking workers over wage dispute

ESCOM offered a 10 per cent increase but workers said they wanted a 44 per cent increase to protect the value of their wages against the increasing cost of living after the devaluation of the Malawian Kwacha by the country’s reserve bank.

The Kwacha was devalued by 44 per cent in November and retailers of imported goods passed on the cost to the consumers thus making goods more expensive. Malawi imports food, medicine and pharmaceuticals, petroleum oils and fuels that it uses for electricity generation and transportation, fertilizer for the agricultural sector, among other imports.

State-owned enterprise ESCOM, which falls under the government of Malawi’s ministry of labour and vocational training, suspended ESCOM Staff Union (ESU) leaders and workers after the industrial action. 14 ESU members were suspended. Out of over 2400 workers at ESCOM, 2040 are members of ESU.

IndustriALL general secretary, Atle Høie, says:

“I am urging ESCOM to promptly revoke the suspensions and to stop violating workers’ rights to freedom of association. Further, it is important to reiterate that Malawi has ratified core labour standards of the International Labour Organization, specifically Convention 87 (Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize) and Convention 98 (Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining), which are enshrined in Malawi’s Labour Relations Act. IndustriALL calls upon ESCOM to consult with ESU to address the impasse, and promote industrial harmony rather than retribution.”

Malawi’s economy is based mainly on agriculture, retail, and construction while manufacturing sectors have declined. However, the energy sector is seen as one of the industrial sectors that has potential to create jobs and contribute towards economic growth especially through investments in hydroelectricity, solar, and other forms of renewable energy. Reliance on hydroelectricity, which constitute 57 per cent of the country’s energy mix, makes the country’s energy generation vulnerable to climate change especially during droughts.

IndustriALL affiliated unions in Malawi are organizing workers in manufacturing sectors that include the chemical, mining, and textile, garment, shoe, and leather industries.

COP28: positive but timid steps toward a fair and inclusive future for workers

The Global Stocktake (GST) has, for the first time, recognized the need for a Just Transition away from fossil fuels. This significant inclusion aligns with the long-standing demands of trade unions worldwide. However, the presence of loopholes in the text has raised concerns about the commitment of the parties to effectively implement these measures. The GST acknowledges the substantial ambition gap in meeting the 1.5-degree goal but stops short of providing a concrete roadmap to bridge this gap.

In terms of climate finance, while the establishment of the loss and damage fund marks progress, the final agreement fails to mobilize the level of finance required by developing countries, particularly for adaptation measures. This gap remains an area of concern.

An important advancement in the COP negotiations is the incorporation of "recognition of labour rights" in the Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP) and "social protection" under adaptation measures. This inclusion is a significant step forward for workers’ rights globally. However, the absence of explicit mention of workers and their trade unions in the GST document has raises concerns about the suppression of workers’ voices in the climate dialogue.

Diana Junquera Curiel at COP28 civil society demonstration 10 December 2023

"At COP28, IndustriALL's delegation actively engaged in crucial discussions, from renewable energy’s future to Just Transition in sectors like automotive and energy. Our involvement in Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) particularly highlighted our commitment to the global south. We've ensured that workers’ voices in energy, mining, and manufacturing are heard, advocating for transitions that respect their rights and needs.

I’m proud of the trade unions' role at COP28. Our dedication has solidified our position as an influential advocate for workers. While not perfect, our achievements are a testament to our hard work, coordination, and ongoing collaboration with civil society, marking a significant step in our continuous fight for workers’ rights and a Just Transition,”

says Diana Junquera Curiel, IndustriALL director for Just Transition and energy.

Despite the challenges, the essential role of workers in transitioning to a sustainable future is clear. The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), along with global union federations and affiliated trade unions, unanimously stressed the importance of worker participation in creating and implementing climate solutions. Their involvement is critical, from constructing renewable energy infrastructure such as solar panels and wind farms to offering vital services after climate-related disasters. Workers' contributions are integral to achieving a sustainable future.

While the COP negotiations have made some shy strides towards acknowledging and integrating labour rights and social protection in the climate agenda, a lot of work remains. The global trade union's call for a Just Transition is a reminder that a sustainable future is not just about reducing emissions but also about ensuring that the transition is fair and inclusive for all workers worldwide.

DJ Pohl and Dan Sherrell, speaking at COP28 closing plenery on behalf of the global trade union movement

"Billions of people across the world are workers. The ITUC officially represents 200 million of us, in both the formal and informal economies, in 165 countries. We stand with every worker in calling for a Just Transition to a climate-safe future that is aligned with our 1.5 C goal”

said Dan Sherrell from the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) in the closing plenary of the COP28 speaking on behalf of the trade union group.

Signing on for workers' rights

Building on ten years of making the textile and garment industry safer, In November, global trade unions and fashion brands and retailers reached agreement on a new International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry. The renegotiated contract secures the work of the legally binding Accord until the end of the decade, strengthens the complaint mechanism for workers and includes commitments for an expansion into other countries.

Signing on, brands commit to continue the health and safety programs in Bangladesh and Pakistan, and to establish programmes in other countries.

The full list of signatories to the International Accord was revealed today, and the number currently stands at 56. 48 global brands have signed the Bangladesh Safety Agreement and 88 have signed the Pakistan Accord.

Says IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie:

“For garment brands, signing the legally binding Accord shows a clear commitment to workers' rights – we welcome that commitment and look forward to continuing working together. However, this also shines a light on the absence of US brands on the signatory list and their apparent unwillingness to take responsibility for their supply chain. We call on all garment brands to join the Accord, which has profoundly changed the textile and garment industry, making it safer and more transparent.”

Philippines ratifies ILO Convention 190

IndustriALL Philippine women unionists’ campaign took off from IndustriALL’s 2017 global pledge against violence and harassment in workplaces and unions, and the successful campaign includes expanding maternity leave from 65 to 105 days that guarantees full payment of wages.

After the adoption of ILO C190 and Resolution 206 at the 2019 International Labour Conference, IndustriALL Philippine affiliates anchored their ratification campaign in the reports of incidence, forms and severity of violence and harassment, as well as in the gaps in Philippine women-specific and related laws, and the government's priority agenda.

In 2022, the Philippine National Police reported 16,158 cases of violence against women, up from 12,492 cases in 2021 and 15,828 cases in 2020.

Extensive lobbying, such as writing letters to and meeting with government leaders, senators and house representatives, was carried out. Position paper on C190 and national-level education materials were developed. The C190 campaign was mainstreamed through the Labour Day celebration, World Day for Decent World activity and International Youth Day.

“President Marcos and the Senators should be lauded for putting premium in human dignity and the lives that are at risk, for their commitment to improve existing laws, rules and programs to stop violence and harassment, and for their readiness to be held accountable related to the enforcement of this new global standard,”

says Eva Arcos, IndustriALL Global and Asia-Pacific Executive Committee member and Associated Labor Unions (ALU) national vice president.

Arcos hopes that the Philippine ratification of C190 will boost the country's international standing with respect to workers' protection, saying that the decision will provide decent and humane employment to workers, especially those vulnerable to abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation and discrimination.

“This will set another landmark for the Philippines as the first country in Asia to ratify the convention that will protect our working women and men alike against violence and harassment in the world of work,”

says Alma Certeza, CLASS and IndustriALL Philippine women co-chair.

“The role of IndustriALL affiliates, and of the women unionists, has been critical in securing ratification of C190 in the Philippines. This is a victory for all workers, including women workers disproportionally affected by GBVH.
The Convention, which gives a central role to collective bargaining in the fight against violence and harassment in the workplace, gives trade unions in Philippines additional means of action to ensure that workers' right to an environment free from all forms of violence and harassment is respected,”

says Armelle Seby, IndustriALL director for gender.

Union leaders in Kyrgyzstan must be released immediately

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

As deputy chair of the Federation of the Federation of Trade Unions of Kyrgyzstan (FTUK), a voluntary position, Eldar Tadjibaev has dealt with issues related to reforms in the trade union system. In this role, he has been accused “of corruption, creating a threat to the interests of society or the state and causing serious harm”.

A criminal case against him has been initiated, based on his participation in the vote of a sale of a plot owned by the FTUK. As a union is free to sell it property, accusations against union leaders acting within the framework of union charters are baseless.

IndustriALL considers arrests of union leaders and the pressure to resign as an illegal interference in the affairs of trade unions to restrict the freedom of association, a gross violation of both national law and ILO Conventions ratified by Kyrgyzstan. In this respect, we also consider the arrested MMTUK chair Eldar Tadjibaev a political prisoner.

With support from the international labour movement, unions in Kyrgyzstan have struggled against an anti-union draft law since 2019.

In 2020, the MMTUK filed a case (ILO Complaint #3386) with the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association, exposing the systematic violations of trade union rights in the country, particularly violation on freedom of association and harassment of trade union leaders. As a result, the President of Kyrgyzstan vetoed the law on trade unions three times in 2021. If adopted, the law would seriously undermine freedom of association in Kyrgyzstan and deprive unions of their independence.

The situation deteriorated in 2023, with new attempts to take control over trade unions. In October, Kyrgyzstan’s law enforcement agencies visited union offices to seize the last ten years’ financial documents, effectively paralyzing the activities of trade unions, in blatant violation of national and international law.

On 11 October, new amendments to the law on trade unions were submitted for public discussion. Unions have reported multiple contradictions to the Constitution of Kyrgyzstan and the ILO Convention 87 ratified by Kyrgyzstan.

IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie says:

“IndustriALL calls on to immediately release Eldar Tadjibaev from his unlawful detention, to withdraw all charges against him, and to put an end to interference in the affairs of trade unions from any third party, in compliance with national law and ILO Conventions ratified by Kyrgyzstan.”

COP28: People’s plenary demands climate justice and urgent action

Messages advocating climate action with a foundation in human rights were conveyed by feminist groups, child protection advocates, indigenous communities worldwide, youth representatives, and trade unions from all over the world.

On the 11th day of COP28 in Dubai, the People's plenary, gathering civil society representatives to articulate their expectations for COP28, had a powerful message:

"there is no climate justice without human rights."

Despite the ongoing efforts, an urgent question resonated: Why continue attending COP when progress seems minimal? The resounding answer was that governments and corporations are falling short of their responsibilities. Activists in the plenary insisted that their presence at COP serves as a forceful push to compel governments to act decisively.

"We come to COP to fight, as we fight year-round. We suffer devastation already. How do you expect us to build our future when our rights are being deprived?" voiced a young boy from Sudan, capturing the feeling of urgency.

Bert de Wel, ITUC climate policy officer (People's plenary COP28)

Representing workers and unions, Bert De Wel from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) emphasized that trade unions are fully embracing the climate challenge. While advocating for urgent climate policies, he underscored the condition that workers will not support measures leading to misery and poverty for them. Bert outlined the essence of a just transition — a concept intertwined with solidarity, justice, decent jobs, and lives for everyone worldwide. He underscored the need for justice in various areas, including an immediate ceasefire in Palestine, justice for women who are among the most impacted by climate change, and the protection of indigenous rights.

Discussing the critical role of labour rights in climate justice, Bert pointed out the ongoing strike by Tesla workers in Sweden. The employer is refusing to engage in negotiations for a collective agreement, showing the importance of fair labour practices in the transition to a sustainable future.

Joy Hernandez, ITUC Asia Pacific (People's plenary COP28)

Joy Hernandez, from the ITUC in the Asia-Pacific region, shed light on the vulnerability of countries in the region due to climate change. For workers, climate disasters translate to job and livelihood losses, a matter of survival. Hernandez stressed the struggle of climate migrants who, displaced by natural disasters, move to cities where job guarantees are lacking. Without social protection policies, workers are left behind.

Highlighting the marginalization of workers in climate policies, Hernandez argued that a transition without workers' involvement exacerbates inequalities and reinforces neoliberal policies. She stressed the necessity of labour rights in achieving a just transition, cautioning against climate policies becoming a battleground for attacks on workers' rights.

As the People's plenary concluded, the collective call for climate justice echoed, demanding actionable commitments and inclusivity in policy-making to safeguard the rights and livelihoods of all. Participants pledged to continue their fight for a sustainable future, at COP28 and beyond.

Tesla strike action spreads across borders

With opposition to Tesla’s anti-union attitude growing, Swedish unions across different industries have taken solidarity action to protect the right to collective bargaining, resulting in, among other things, a failure in delivering license plates for new cars.

And on 5 December, Denmark’s largest union 3F announced it will join the solidarity strike, which will prevent dock workers and drivers from receiving and transporting Tesla cars. The following day, Norwegian union Fellesforbundet announced that they will engage in solidarity actions if Tesla hasn’t signed a collective agreement with IF Metall by 20 December.

Says IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie:

“As long as Tesla does not understand that they have to follow the rules of a country, the conflict will spread. The international union movement will not allow such blatant disrespect for basic national regulations and traditions.”

The Swedish model, where workplace conditions have been set through negotiations between workers’ and employers’ representatives for almost a century, has resulted in a stable labour market where 90 per cent of all workers are covered by collective agreements.

However, despite numerous attempts over the last few years, Tesla is refusing to engage in negotiations with IF Metall.
Isabelle Barthès, acting joint general secretary of industriAll Europe says:

"We continue to stand with our Swedish colleagues, and across borders, unions in Europe will fight attempts to weaken unions and collective bargaining. Tesla has much to gain by learning from the European social model and accepting unions as partners in the automotive transformation it has aimed to lead".

Photo credit: IF Metall