GM India workers fight for job protection

General Motors (GM) India has a chequered history of labour relations at the Talegaon plant. In December 2020, GM India stopped producint at the plant, despite the government rejecting an application for closure. In July 2021, more than 1,000 GM workers were illegally laid off after they refused to accept a voluntary separation scheme and meagre compensation as a final settlement, unilaterally decided by management.

Several court cases have been filed in this regard, by both management and the union. Last September, Mumbai High Court ruled in favour of the union, dismissing GM India’s petition challenging an earlier court order which held that the retrenchment of workers was unfair labour practice, and directed the company to pay 50 per cent of the salary to 1,086 illegally retrenched workers.

However, the course of events changed when Maharashtra state government approved the sale of GM Talegaon plant assets to South Korean car maker, Hyundai. The two companies have signed an Asset Purchase Agreement but the completion of the acquisition is subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions, like regulatory clearances from various government departments, including a no-objection certification from the workers stating that they have been compensated.

So far, Hyundai India has not given any indication about absorbing the current workforce.

General Motors Employees Union’s has filed a new petition in Mumbai High Court challenging the transfer of General Motor’s Talegaon Pune plant to Hyundai. The court has admitted the plea and the judgement is pending.

 

With an unsure future ahead, the union launched an indefinite relay hunger strike on 2 October. Every day, 20 workers, sit on a rotational basis at the entrance of industrial development area where GM plant is located.

Kishor Somwanshi, Shramik Ekta Mahasangh president, says:

“The earlier agreement signed with GM management that ensures job protection of workers must be honoured. We have no choice but to protest since the state government has repeatedly ignored our requests to reach an agreement with all the parties involved.”

Nigerian unions suspend national strike after agreement with government

The government removed the subsidy in January as part of economic reforms it is implementing, and argues that it is making savings. But the unions are disputing this saying the savings cannot be made at the expense of the workers.

The removal of the subsidy on premium motor spirit or petrol triggered price increases and caused a cost-of-living crisis among the workers who are paying more in transport fares to go to work. Prices of other goods and services also went up because of the increased transportation cost as transporters raised prices.

According to the memorandum of understanding reached between the government, the Nigeria Labour Congress, and the Trade Union Congress, the strike which was supposed to begin on 3 October was suspended for 30 days to allow for social dialogue. Further, the Federal Government of Nigeria agreed to pay government workers a wage increase of 35,000 Naira (US$46), to set up a minimum wage committee within one month, and to remove valued added tax from diesel for six months.

The government also committed to improve public transport through the provision of 100 billion Naira (US$132 million) for high-capacity buses that will run on compressed natural gas (CNG). CNG buses have lower running cost than those that use petrol or diesel. The government also agreed to pay 25,000 Naira (US$20) to 15 million households and pensioners and provide tax incentives to the private sector and the public.

John Adaji, IndustriALL Sub Saharan Africa regional co-chairperson and president of the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, said:

“The unions welcome the measures to meet the workers’ demands on living wages to cushion them against the removal of the subsidy. As unions we will continue to campaign for pro-worker economic policy reforms that benefit the workers and improves the livelihoods of their families.”

“Austerity measures must not sacrifice workers’ wages and ignore the realities that workers must be paid living wages to enable them to meet their basic needs,”

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

Photo: Floating petrol and diesel filling station in the Niger Delta, Stakeholder Democracy

Algerian unions face crackdown amidst controversial labour law reforms

"The unjust and baseless terrorism charges against our leaders, Hamza Khroubi and Nasreddine Hamitouche, reflect a disturbing trend of suppressing trade union voices in Algeria. COSYFOP condemns the misuse of Article 87BIS of the Algerian Penal Code and points to previous cases, such as that of Ramzi Dardar, as evidence of a concerning pattern. We deny any association with terrorist movements,”

COSYFOP said in a statement on 20 September 2023.

COSYFOP's concerns echo the findings of the United Nations special rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Clément Nyaletsossi Voule, who concluded an official visit to Algeria on 26 September. 

Acknowledging the Algerian government's positive steps towards protecting freedom of assembly and association, as enshrined in the 2020 Constitution, Voule highlighted severe restrictions imposed over the past four years. Independent civil society has been dismantled, political pluralism curtailed, and human rights defenders, activists, and journalists imprisoned. 

See more on report from Clement Nyaletsossi Voule, UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association calling on Algeria to pardon convicted protesters.

The backdrop of these concerns lies in the controversial labour law reforms passed by the Algerian parliament in April, sparking outrage from trade unions. The law, which claimed to enhance trade union activities and protect workers' rights, faced significant opposition. Trade unions, including COSYFOP, argued that the law severely restricts workers' rights, rolling back progress made since the 1990s. The period since 2019, marked by widespread protests, saw trade unions actively participating in political discussions and mobilizations. However, the recent law has triggered controversy and protests due to its infringement on freedoms and liberties.

COSYFOP had previously submitted concerns to the Commission of Experts, outlining issues related to the right to organize and government violations. Additionally, they asked for intervention for the release of its member, Bennouna Abdeldjabbar, sentenced to 18 months in prison for allegedly publishing content on social media that was damaging to national security. The Commission confirmed that they received the communication and forwarded it to the Algerian government for response. The organization is waiting for the Commission's review of the observations and government's response during its November session.

Organizations like Human Rights Watch continues to call on the Algerian government to undertake reforms, safeguarding the rights of Algerians to free expression and peaceful organization. 

“These developments, including the misuse of anti-terrorism laws to target trade unionists, highlight the importance of safeguarding the fundamental rights of workers and the crucial role trade unions play in defending these rights. We urge the Algerian government to uphold international labour standards, respect the right to peaceful assembly and association, and ensure fair treatment for all workers,”

says Kemal Özkan, IndustriALL assistant general secretary.

Organizing cement workers during challenging economic times in Asia Pacific

Climate change, geopolitical challenges and post-Covid economic slowdown severely affects the cement industry where an overcapacity problem remains a global concern, with 43 percent of cement globally produced by top ten cement companies. IndustriALL director of materials industries Alexander Ivanou pointed out that there is limited union representation and challenges in forming trade unions in the cement sector.

“Effective organizing is now more crucial than ever before. The greater our numbers, the stronger our collective strength becomes, enhancing our ability to negotiate and fight for rights.”

Said Alexander Ivanou during an IndustriALL South East Asia virtual cement union network meeting held on 26 September. 

Trade union leaders from Indonesia and Philippines shared key factors that hindered the organizing efforts.

Agus Sarjanto, the secretary general of Federation of Indonesian Cement Workers' Union (FSP ISI), said: 

“The implementation of the Omnibus Law in Indonesia has led to expansion of contract work in all sectors, which previously limited to five sectors. As a result, we have fewer union members, and the employers are trying to weaken the collective agreements.”

“In the Philippines, widespread use of contract labour in the cement sector is alarming. More and more workers are hired by labour agencies and union membership is on a declining trend. We are working hard to retain the current membership.”

Said Joseph Cesar Aguanta, the Associated Labor Union representative.

The participants shared their experiences about the global effort in combating climate change and installation of carbon capture and storage facilities to alleviate global warming. This is one of the key elements defined by the leading cement companies on the way to decarbonize the industry. However, it is happening very slowly, and price is barely affordable for lower income countries. 

Governments try to change the situation by stimulating companies to act. For example, the Indonesian government introduced a carbon tax policy in 2021 with a price tag of 30 Indonesian rupiah ($0.002) per kilogram of carbon dioxide. 

In other cases, companies are forced to take steps in response to increased energy prices for traditional fossil fuels. Cement companies in Thailand have installed solar cell panels as an alternative to fossil fuel, a reaction after the fuel price hike. 

The Japanese government aims to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050, the Taiheiyo Cement Labor Union is proposing government agencies to take innovative measures to accelerate the decarbonization effort.

Thirty-five unionists from Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, and Thailand participated in this virtual meeting.


 

Sweden must respect international law

At the ongoing 54th session of the Human Rights Council, United Nations deputy high commissioner for human rights delivered a scathing report on the serious situation of human rights in Belarus, which is in fact worsening with arbitrary arrests, trumped-up charges, and targeting of government critics and trade unionists.

There is a continuing shrinking of civic space, as well as of respect for fundamental freedoms. Those who oppose the government, or are perceived to, are subjected to a campaign of violence and repression. So far, the crackdown has resulted in over 3,750 individuals convicted in criminal trials with little regard for due process.

The high commissioner also raised concerns over the conditions of detention, where detainees are subjected to torture and ill-treatment, including beatings and denial of access to medical care.

Under these conditions, Sweden deporting a union leader who fled Belarus over her union activities would constitute a clear and unacceptable violation of the principle of non-refoulement.

Says IndustriALL Global Union general secretary Atle Høie:

“We have serious and well-founded concerns that Ala Tsvirko’s forced return to Belarus would compromise her health and safety; she would be subject to violations of her fundamental human rights and labour rights.

“It is imperative that Migrationsverket continue to act in full accord with international human rights law and in consequence continue to grant Ala Tsvirko the right to reside in Sweden as a refugee, thus protecting her physical integrity and respect of her basic human rights.”

Photo credit: Fredrik Rubensson, Flickr 

Unions address key challenges in chemical and pharmaceutical industries

Key topics were tackled, from championing women, diversity, and inclusion to navigating due diligence mechanisms and union responses, exploring opportunities in the battery supply chain, to, ensuring health, safety, and sustainability. Discussions echoed a collective commitment to empower workers and strengthen workers’ rights.

The conference was hosted by IndustriALL affiliate Petrol-Is, in his opening address president Süleyman Akyüz said:

“We must address the challenges in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. I am concerned about the erosion of worker rights worldwide and the increasing investment in low-cost labour, I urge us all as unions to mobilize on a global scale to protect these fundamental rights.” 

A particular focus was put on gender equality in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors. Lucineide Varjão from CNQ-CUT, Brazil, emphasized the importance of embedding gender equality across these industries. She noted the challenges women face, including unequal pay, underrepresentation in decision-making roles, and the burden of unpaid domestic labour. Participants called for collective action to address these disparities and support marginalized groups, including transgender individuals, youth, LGBTQI+, and racialized people.

Discussions on due diligence highlighted the importance of legislation governing human rights and environmental violations in supply chains. Sector co-chair, Sandra Bränzel from IGBCE, Germany, spoke about their focus on these developments. They've crafted a standard for companies affected by this legislation, with a particular emphasis on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) which are not yet impacted by the new German legislation. Their aim is to provide guidance for all companies, irrespective of size, recognizing that human rights violations can happen everywhere.

Alexander Bercht from IGBCE, Germany, shared some of the key challenges in the chemical industry, including demand reduction, energy price spikes, and the need for a transition to clean energy. He emphasized the role of unions in actively organizing the industry.

“In this global landscape, we'll ensure our members aren't negatively impacted by supply chain restructuring. Solidarity and collaborative action are essential to reshape our sector. Let's use all available tools and stand together!”

said Bercht.

The sector introduced a fresh addition to the agenda. IndustriALL identified the battery supply chain as key, where the sector could potentially have influence. For now, there are still many violations occurring within it. The aim of the discussion was to pinpoint areas where unions can take a stand and address the issues head-on. 

“It's crucial not to overlook any opportunities for strengthening our efforts. In the battery supply chain, there lies a significant opportunity to exchange valuable information and insights. Let's seize it!”

said Tom Grinter, IndustriALL sector director.

Tamás Székely from VDSZ, Hungary, shared on Hungary's efforts to become a hub for battery-operated vehicles. The session explored opportunities to address violations in the EV battery supply chain.

In the session on health, safety, and sustainability participants highlighted the importance of prioritizing health and safety in the workplace. Mental health and decarbonization were also key topics of discussion. The session also highlighted the need for gender-responsive health and safety measures.

“An interesting topic that emerged is mental health for union representatives. Introducing tools to address this has become a massive undertaking for the union, incurring costs, but it's imperative to prioritize the well-being of our union members also,"

said Cliff Bowen, from Unite the Union, UK

Panelists acknowledged the need for decarbonization, but noted that it is a challenging conversation because there's often no clear plan for workers within decarbonization initiatives. 

Panelists from Indonesia, France, and Morocco discussed the challenges and transformations in the pharmaceutical sector. They acknowledged the industry's shift in product focus, production relocation, and the emergence of startups, posing challenges for unions.

During the 3-day event in Turkey, network meetings were organized, on BASF, Sanofi, and Takeda, gathering worker representatives from these corporations worldwide. This enabled unions to tackle company-specific issues in-depth, fostering a strengthened and more prominent union presence within each of these multinational giants.

The meetings concluded with a commitment to address challenges, including occupational health and safety, mental health, sustainability, and the rights of women and marginalized groups. Unions pledged to work collaboratively, share information, and advocate for workers' rights at the national and international levels.

Sandra Bränzel of IGBCE and Edson Dias Bicalho of Fequimfar were elected as sector co-chairs, concluding an ambitious three-day series of meetings. They expressed optimism about the future and the joint commitment to improving the lives of the working class.

In concluding the intensive 3-day meetings, Kemal Özkan, Assistant General Secretary of IndustriALL, said: 

"Today's challenges are tomorrow's opportunities. Together, as IndustriALL Global Union, we stand united to forge a path toward a future where worker rights, inclusivity, and sustainability prevail. Let our determination be the catalyst for transformative change in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries and beyond." 

Swedish agreement provides upskilling and reskilling for white-collar workers

Last year Swedish social partners concluded two national agreements on skills development. These agreements are connected to a new set of legislation that was adopted by the Swedish Parliament in June 2022, which provides the necessary financing for training, reskilling, and upskilling through grants or loans. Swedish white-collar workers' unions Sverges Ingenjörer and Unionen were two of the unions at the forefront of this agreement. 
 
These are historic agreements for Swedish unions, and it is at a scope that has not been visible in the Swedish labour market for a very long time. 
 
The development or digitalization and artificial intelligence have a significant impact on the skills that are needed. In such context, these agreements are key to enable high skilled workers, who are exposed to new developments, to keep with the skills requested by these new technologies, retain their employability and transition to new jobs.

Engineers must stay updated with new technology and this agreement gives individuals the opportunity to stay in the job market longer, as it allows for doing something new or changing career paths. 
 

“If we take the car industry as one example many engineers have been trained on the combustion engines and need to be reskilled towards electrification. It can also be the case that an engineer is approaching retirement and wants to transfer knowledge and teach mathematics or science, this agreement allows for these situations. It is also good that it has a tripartite backup from the government even if it was the parties on the labour market who bargained until the final signatures.”

Says Ulrika Linstrand, president of Sverges Ingenjörer.  

The agreement called the education support for transition establishes the right to training union members. The new education support for transition applies to individuals who have worked for at least eight years during the last 14 years. The agreements will run parallel to the existing education support system. The grant will replace 80 per cent of the net income, up to a maximum and an additional loan can be added to that. 

It can be a financial strain for anyone working full-time and who wants to start studying again, this new grant is more generous than the existing education support system and workers can receive it for a shorter period, up to 44 weeks for full-time studies. Employment transitions, improving skills and job security for employed workers and the promotion of continuous learning are elements of this new agreement and companies now have a more productive and skilled workforce, as a result. 

However, there are challenges when new reforms are launched. For Unionen, the authority that deals with the grant has not been able to administer all the applications in time because of a lack of resources and this could be managed with the new budget. Another challenge is the lack of educational places, both at university and vocational university, targeting members who need shorter qualified courses. 

“We welcome this agreement and Unionen has been one of the driving forces behind the realization of it. We have worked with reskilling, upskilling, and further education since the 1970’s but mainly focusing on when our members are losing their jobs or when they are unemployed. This is a recognition that we also need further education when we have a job because of a constantly changing labour market due to digitalization.”

Says Annakarin Wall Unionen international secretary. 
 
IndustriALL assistant general secretary, Christine Olivier said: 

“These agreements on skilling and reskilling are key to enable a Just Transition. It is important that these agreements cover all workers, including white-collar workers who are under great pressure to keep up with, and be adequately trained for new technologies.” 
 

A safe pulp and paper industry is a key priority

Swedish union Pappers hosted meeting, which brought together unionists from Indonesia, UK, Brazil, Canada, France, USA, Belgium, Australia, Uruguay, Germany, Japan, Austria and Finland.

Starting off the meeting, participants acknowledged the important work done by retiring co-chair Leeann Foster, USW, thanking her for her commitment, and elected Breahn Quigley Knackert, USW, as the new co-chair. Pappers vice president Mikael Lilja is the other co-chair.

The Covid pandemic effectively halted physical meetings for a few years, and its effects were discussed in the meeting.

Brazil experienced horrible working conditions during the pandemic, but all pulp and paper plants remained open. In Japan, the industry is recovering to levels before the pandemic. In Sweden, the pandemic turned out to be very profitable for the pulp and paper industry, as sought-after products like tissue and toilet paper are produced in the country.

Reporting from Indonesia, Rahmat Hendra from FSP2KI, said that although the pandemic had virtually no impact on Indonesia’s pulp and paper industry, employers took advantage and delayed salary increases. Unions in the country are also fighting against the much-debated Omnibus law, which, among other things eliminates the sectoral minimum wage, allows an excessive use of outsourcing is allowed and reduces the nominal severance pay.

 

German union IGBCE joined several previous speakers and highlighted the shortage and need for skilled workers, a problem that will only become increasingly important for the industry.

Denise Campbell-Burns from CFMEU Manufacturing, Australia, told participants that the union is focused on maintaining workers’ rights and conditions.

“But we see emerging issues on training, and health and safety. As businesses aim to get leaner, health and safety is compromised with. In Australia, our sector has not had a fatality since 2010, but we fear a perfect storm.”

Reporting on the industry in the USA, Luis Mendoza, USW international vice president, stressed the point that pulp and paper is a dangerous sector and health and safety remain a main priority.

"We can never forget about the hazards. Our members and their families rely on us as unions for that."

Delegates from UK’s Unite the Union reiterated the importance and focus of health and safety in the sector, referring to the campaign a few years ago to promote health and safety, emphasizing workers’ rights to participate in safety management on the job.
 
The 3R campaign centred around three core rights:

Unions shared challenges and successes in ensuring space for women in the pulp and paper sector.

Canadian union UNIFOR spoke of agreements reached in the country where pregnant women could leave work if deemed dangerous for the baby. There are similar agreements for when breastfeeding, where women can leave earlier and still receive pay.

Under Australia’s new labour government, national laws now include ten days of family violence leave. Unions have been able to implement clauses into collective agreements where anyone suffering from family violence is entitled to leave without any questions asked and no loss of payment.

Given that women make up less than ten per cent of workforce in the industry, USW is trying to increase that number. The union is also making a push at the bargaining table to include language on issues of domestic violence in collective agreements.

Breahn Quigley Knackert said:

“The work on health and safety provisions for women workers is important and we are making headway. But we must also ensure that promises are realized and are not merely lip service.”

Participants agreed that more women need to be organized and that IndustriALL has an important role to play.
 
Håkan Juholt, former Prime Minister in Sweden and currently Sweden’s ambassador to South Africa, addressed the meeting, praising the important work of unions.

“Countries where unions are strong and able to change conditions are good countries to live in.

A visit to Swedish paper and packaging company Billerud’s mill in Skärblacka provided participants with an opportunity to learn more about labour relations in Sweden. Full-time union representative and Billerud board member Marie Olsén explained the Swedish model of union-employer negotiations on salaries and working conditions.

At the mill in Skärblacka

 
Rounding off the days in Stockholm, the sector co-chairs, together with Swedish affiliates represented at hygiene and health company Essity, Pappers, IF Metall and Unionen, met with company management to assess the work under the global framework agreement. The agreement was signed in 2018 and safeguards the rights of workers across Essity’s global supply chain.
 
Said IndustriALL sector director Tom Grinter:

“Bringing everyone together for a long-awaited meeting in person has provided the work group with energy, resilience and determination to keep fighting for a safe and sustainable pulp and paper industry. The meetings in Sweden reaffirms our commitment make sure that we are at the table when our issues are discussed to fight for our members.”

Steel workers demand better working conditions and a clear plan for navigating the green transition

A large trade union delegation from 15 countries took part in the OECD Steel Committee in Paris on 25 and 26 September which speaks to the rising concerns and challenges that workers in the industry face including low wages, job quality, health and safety and the need to protect employment as the industry prepares for decarbonisation and green steel.

On Ukraine, the discussion encompassed the role of the OECD in supporting the country’s reconstruction once the war ends. The Ukrainian delegation presented their “Green Marshall Plan” for the iron and steel sectors and TUAC raised the importance of social dialogue and involving trade unions from the early stages of the plan, to make sure that workers are not left behind.

Veronica Nilsson, general secretary of TUAC, said:

“The original Marshall Plan showed the importance of involving trade unions in deciding how resources for reconstruction are deployed to benefit European workers and their families. The Ukrainian government must learn from that lesson, making sure that the views of Ukrainian workers are reflected in the reconstruction plan, and that social conditions s, collective bargaining and freedom of association are respected as crucial ingredients in the reconstruction of Ukraine.”

The global steel market is facing deep challenges. On the one hand, production and consumption are falling, due to increasing prices and mounting interest rates that depress investment. On the other, many countries in Asia, Middle East and Africa are insisting on expanding production capacity, leading to continuous rise in global steel excess capacity. Furthermore, the cost-of-living crisis has put additional pressure on steelworkers, whose wages have not kept up with inflation, while performing demanding jobs, sometimes at their own personal physical risk.

Christine Oliver, Assistant General Secretary of IndustriALL Global Union, commented:

“trade unions firmly oppose cost-cutting at the expense of workers’ well-being and the environment. With substantial profits and dividends reported in the steel sector in past quarters, now it is more than time for multinational steel companies to direct significant investment into fair wages, improved working conditions, health and safety, workforce skills development and decarbonation.”

The need to reduce the carbon footprint of the steel industry poses an urgent challenge, but it is also another factor of uncertainty for the steel market and employment in the industry. Trade unions insisted that a socially just transition should be included in the to-be-revised mandate of the Steel Committee and stressed that investment and re-skilling policies will not be sufficient to preserve employment levels and guarantee decent jobs for all steel workers in the sector. OECD governments were urged to do their part, providing adequate industrial policy and economic development plans and social protection to ensure a sustainable green transition and future for steelworkers and their families.

Judith Kirton‒Darling, acting joint general secretary of industriAll European Trade Union, concluded:

“Assessing future skills needs is important to prepare for the twin green and digital transitions, but ensuring a just transition requires much more. Trade unions call for employment mapping and in-depth discussions between the unions, employers and regional/national authorities to ensure that no worker is left behind. Steelworkers are at the heart of the transition to a decarbonised steel industry, and they must be involved in the process from start to finish.”

The meeting sadly coincided with the passing of US United Steelworkers Union International President Tom Conway, a leading voice in the union movement and strong advocate of fair trade in the interest of workers. The Steel Committee remembered his work and legacy, while the US delegation re-confirmed the US Government’s commitment to work with the trade unions. 

MENA region forms chemical network

On 5 September about 40 unions from Tunisia, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Morocco, Bahrain and Kuwait attended this meeting. Also in attendance were representatives from German Chemicals, Mining and Energy union IGBCE, the Turkish union Petrol-IS and union leaders representing workers in multinational companies including Unilever, Sanofi and Dow. 

Tom Grinter, IndustriALL’s chemical sector director said:

“The sector is expanding and this is a great opportunity to increase the membership size and grow employment. There will be important technological developments, in this sector, like the development of the bioplastics industry and digitization and artificial intelligence and unions need to be prepared for this.”

Ahmed Kemal, IndustriALL regional secretary for the MENA region said:

“This sector is expanding in the MENA region. Unions are carrying out intense work at the national level, which is strong motivation for developing regional work and improving networking and solidarity.”

Hannes Hauke Kühn, international secretary of IGBCE said:

“The German experience in the field of due diligence law may be very useful for workers because it guarantees many rights and holds companies responsible workers’ reality in supply chains.”

Riza Köse, representative of the Turkish union Petrol-IS stated,

“It is key that companies negotiate with unions and recognize their important role. Organizing and joining these meetings is beneficial for us.”

Representative from the National Union of Phosphate Workers, the Moroccan Confederation of Labour, Khalil Kanaan, said: 

“The phosphate sector is witnessing stable social dialogue, but there are several problems related to digitization and market fluctuations. The most prominent challenge is training 50, 000 indirect workers (handlers). Challenges can only be conquered by changing mentality and work methods.” 

Hakimi Youssef from the National Union of Phosphate Syndicate said:

“Changes in the world of work imposes many challenges on unions such as the lack of decent working conditions that is adopted in Morocco by multinational companies.” 

President of the Federation of Petroleum and Petrochemical Union in Iraq said:

“Right now the most important union task is restarting the giant petrochemical plant, which includes five factories. This will have positive repercussions on workers and the Iraqi economy.”

Marwa Farja, from the Petrochemical Workers Union in Lebanon said:

“The economic situation is reflected in the union because the continuation of union work is a challenge.”

Sohar Abdo, from the National Petrochemical Union in Palestine, said:

“There are several problems facing woman, like the minimum wage law. A high percentage of female workers in petrochemicals do not receive the minimum wage.”

Abdelmajid Al-Amouri, a union official in the Moroccan Confederation of Labour said:

“The petrochemical sector will witness great development in the coming years, which makes it necessary for unions to combine the increase in members with efficiency and good organization.”

Hassan Baji also from Morrocan Confederation of Labour said:

“Those affiliated with the sector also live in a difficult reality because of the rise in prices. Subcontracting negatively affects workers’ rights, especially since Moroccan legislation does not serve the interests of workers.” 

Salouan Smiri secretary general of the General Union of Petroleum and Chemicals, said:

“Tunisia is witnessing some fluctuations, but the unions were able to achieve gains. It is necessary for unions to make efforts to develop the joint regional network in the chemicals sector.”

Kemal Özkan, IndustriALL assistant general secretary, said:

“Building union power through networks in our sectors is an important strategy for IndustriALL. It is a significant step to form a regional trade union network in chemicals. Because unity and solidarity are of great importance to change the balance of power in favour of workers in the face of capitalism. There are no other alternatives for unions to create their own future so that they are not part of a future in which they do not participate.”