IndustriALL campaign pushes H&M withdrawl from Myanmar

The company said that it was investigating 20 alleged instances of labour abuse at Myanmar garment factories that supplied it, as a UK-based campaign group said cases of alleged abuses including wage theft and forced overtime had multiplied since the military coup in February 2021.

IndustriALL strongly condemns the coup d’etat by the military in Myanmar and has been working with affiliated unions in Myanmar to protect workers’ rights until democracy could be restored. IndustriALL has also been campaigning tirelessly for brands to safely disinvest from the country.

At the Third IndustriALL Congress in September 2021, 434 trade unions from 111 countries unanimously adopted a resolution in support of democracy in Myanmar. The resolution calls for comprehensive economic sanctions against the military junta. Human rights violations in the country make it impossible to trade ethically, because companies are not able to guarantee the safety of their workforce. In 2022 an independent report confirmed that it was impossible to practice due diligence in a military dictatorship.

In November 2022 IndustriALL began discussions with several garment brands, with operations in Myanmar to outline what a responsible exit would look like. This discussion concluded with Framework Principles of a Brand’s Responsible Business Disengagement from Myanmar.

This document is not a commitment by these brands to cease their operations in Myanmar, but an agreement on what would constitute a responsible exit.

The framework outlines a business exit negotiated with workers’ representatives that ensures that the rights of workers are protected, adequate severance is paid to those affected, and ensures that cases of workers’ rights violations that are still pending, will be remediated. Although the framework was developed by the garment industry, its principles can be applied to other sectors of the economy.

The Swedish fashion giant’s ESG record is better than many of its peers and the company’s responsible business practices has cemented a constructive relationship with IndustriALL however it has raised concerns about why the company refused to stop sourcing from the country. At H&M's AGM, in May, IndustriALL questioned the retailer about their continued operations in the country.

IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie says:

“H&M finally realized that it is not possible to do business in Myanmar without trampling on basic trade union and human rights. IndustriALL will continue its campaign until all major brands do the same. We must never put profits above worker rights.”

Marie Nilsson, IFMetall president, says:

“H&M leaving Myanmar is good news. They have done as we and our global federation, IndustriAll Global union demanded. Human and trade union rights must be respected worldwide and sadly this is not the case in Myanmar.”

Bulgarian unions take action for a Just Transition

The national recovery and sustainability plan (NRSP) is in revision process and agrees with the National Assembly’s decision to drop the requirement for a 40% reduction in carbon emissions from the energy sector in 2026 compared to 2019. Unions reiterate that the drop of this requirement from the plan is crucial to maintaining the country's energy security and insist that government has dialogue with social partners on the exact proposals, procedures, and projects when planning the renegotiation of the plan.

Regarding the territorial Just Transition plans, which are an essential tool in industrial transformation in coal mining regions and should be carried out within the framework of an overall concept and general planning approval. Unions have suggested that this plan should focus on and develop on mapping the skills of the affected workforce, supporting the creation of industrial parks for clean technologies (with zero emissions), developing a scheme to support the integrated use of green hydrogen-large-scale integrated projects and an energy strategy.

Tsvetelina Milchalieva president of the Light Industry Federation, says:

“We believe that the government should make every effort to provide funds for the immediate launch of a skills mapping project, so that social support and support for employment can be provided. We insist that assistance under the just transition fund cover the large enterprises that have potential to spread their growth to other local companies based on vertical and horizontal links and create jobs. We also demand concrete proposals for initiatives developed by industrial federations together with the confederation are aimed at implementing the principle: create a job before laying off a worker. Nothing about us without us.”

“Unions and workers need to be part of the Just Transition conversation; it is the only way to ensure that workers are protected and that they have support. We applaud the unions for being active in these discussions and making concrete proposals,”

says IndustriALL assistant general secretary Kan Matsuzaki.

Goodyear workers in Mexico choose to be represented by an independent union

On 7 and 8 August, workers at Goodyear’s plant in Mexico held a ballot to determine which union would represent them. A total of 992 of the plant’s 1,144 workers took part in the ballot, with 899 voting for the Independent Union of Goodyear Tyre Workers (SITGM), 30 for a union affiliated with the Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM) and 63 abstaining.

At a press conference held after the results were announced, SITGM’s Julio Cesar Flores Lopez explained that the ballot and his union's victory had been possible thanks to the workers’ struggle over the past five years.

“A group of workers initially spoke out in 2018 when they realized that Goodyear was not applying the sector-wide labour contract for the rubber manufacturing industry. Those workers were dismissed by Goodyear but then lodged a complaint with the rapid response labour mechanism under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), claiming that their rights had been violated,”

said Flores Lopez.

In Mexico, a sector-wide labour contract is an agreement between one or more unions and either several employers or one or more unions of employers. The agreement sets out the working conditions for a specific branch of industry.

The claims listed in the complaint included: various violations of collective rights by Goodyear for refusing to apply the most beneficial terms of the sector-wide labour contract; misinformation by the company and the CTM-affiliated union that had negotiated the previous collective bargaining agreement regarding the existence of a sector-wide contract; and failure by Goodyear to sanction those responsible for interfering in or obstructing the consultation, held in April, on approving the collective agreement.

Flores Lopez also told the press conference that the complaint had resulted in investigations by both the Mexican and US governments, which agreed on a remediation plan for Goodyear in July of this year. The union vote was part of that plan.

“The plan will benefit more than 1,140 workers and 4,000 family members. It states that Goodyear must apply either the sector-wide labour contract or any other more beneficial terms already provided. It also means shorter working hours, larger savings funds, more bonus days and more holiday bonuses, and ensures that workers will have a better quality of life with their families, because working in a tyre factory is hard.”

Finally, IndustriALL’s regional secretary Marino Vani said:

“Goodyear has behaved regrettably during this process. IndustriALL has condemned the company’s misconduct on several occasions in recent years. We now expect Goodyear to respect the rights of its workers, change its position, seek dialogue and provide better working conditions.
We congratulate the workers who decided to stand up for their rights and set up a union. They have shown that only through struggle is it possible to enforce laws. The next step will be to organize other workers in this sector.”

Union win – US tyre workers approve USW contract

But relentless in fighting for their rights, more than 325 employees at Kumho Tire Georgia, ratified the first labour contract at the tyre facility on 10 August. The vote took place more than two years after the United Steelworkers was certified as the workers' bargaining agent.

“The membership at Kumho Tire fought for years to win the rights and benefits of a fair union contract. Thanks to their solidarity and the hard work of our bargaining committee, they achieved that goal,”

says Tom Conway, USW international president.

The four-year contract is historic as it covers the first tyre workers in the US to join a union in 30 years. The contract provides yearly wage improvements and other pay increases. It also includes additional paid time off, a joint health and safety committee and other workplace protections, all while maintaining quality health care and other benefits.

“The power of solidarity won a fair contract, and we proved that our voices are strongest when we stand together for the benefit of everyone. With the ratified agreement in place, our jobs will be more secure, prosperous and safer than before,”

says USW District 9 director Daniel Flippo.

“When we fight back, we win. The contract agreed at Kumho Tire is the result of how hard the union have fought for their members and their future. We congratulate our brothers and sisters who show that unions do belong in the South and pave the way for increased organizing,”

says IndustriALL rubber director Tom Grinter.

Bulgaria: any acts against union association is now punishable by law

Bulgarian unions, including IndustriALL affiliates won a 30-year long battle when Parliament approved these changes which criminalizes actions directed against the right of association of workers and employees in Bulgaria.

The amendment includes any offences committed against the right of workers to join trade unions, may it be through violence, threats, or in any other illegal way, which prevents someone from exercising their right to join a trade union by forcing them to renounce their membership in a trade union organization or by preventing them from creating one. If any acts are repeatedly committed the penalty is imprisonment for up to five years or a fine up to $5000.

Tsvetelina Milchalieva president of the Light Industry Federation, says:

“The right of association of workers and employees is regulated by the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria, but until now it has not been legally protected despite the constant efforts of CITUB and industrial federations and the repeated indication of this. That is why our latest proposal to change the Labour Code in this direction is also connected with the Directive 2022/2041 of the European Parliament and of the Council of October 19, 2022 regarding adequate minimum wages and the promotion of collective bargaining in the European Union. Any change as this one, which is in favour of freedom of trade union association is a huge step forward as long as it is used in the right direction, as it is intended.”

Kemal Özkan, IndustriALL assistant general secretary says,

“IndustriALL Global Union congratulates our affiliate on this great victory. The long and hard years of campaigning and fighting for workers rights has paid off. Securing workers’ interests are one of the main priorities of the union movement. We need more of these life changing stories.”

The Penal Code amendments have also imposed stiffer penalties for illegally trafficking people across borders, with a minimum of three years in prison and a maximum of 10 years if minors are involved. The amendments also address labor rights, introducing penalties for forcing someone to join or refuse to join a trade union.

Ugandan unions sign MOU on social dialogue

This memorandum will make improvements to workers’ lives, currently there is an industriALL East African Union Building project (IEAUBP)with affiliates in Uganda which focusses on more systematic social dialogue. It improves labour market framework conditions, increases gender equality and equity, and just transition to climate change and environment friendly production.

Before the signing, there were restrictions on trade union rights on freedom of association and collective bargaining, which allowed many employers to not recognize trade unions.

Moving forward the team, who consists of national council members, general secretaries, facilitators and chairpersons will meet in September to develop a road map on how to move forward.

Other clauses in the memorandum include promoting good industrial relations and economic and social justices.

“The MOU is an important breakthrough which we have been waiting for quite some time. If implemented well, it will reduce the restriction of trade union rights in Uganda creating decent work and the promotion of workplace social dialogue,”

says the general secretary of Uganda Printers, Paper,Polyfibre and Allied Workers Union (UPPPAWU).

IndustriALL Sub-Saharan Africa regional secretary Paule Ndessomin says,

“creating social dialogue between employers and unions is fundamental to achieving better conditions for workers. We applaud our affiliates for their continuous fight for workers’ rights.”

The four Ugandan IndustriALL affiliates include Uganda Chemical Petroleum and Allied Workers Union (UCPAWU), Uganda Textile, Garment, Leather and Allied Workers Union (UTGLAWU), Hotels Tourism, Supermarket and allied Workers Union (HTS-U) and Uganda Printers, Paper, Polyfirbre and Allied Workers Union (UPPPAWU)

Uganda ratifies ILO Convention 190

Together with other unions in Uganda, IndustriALL affiliates have been active in campaigning for the ratification of C190, participating in the official consultative committee and working directly with the relevant ministries.

Unions organized a stakeholder meeting with the National organization of trade unions (NOTU) and the Central organization of free trade unions (COFTU), civil society, members of parliament, workers, union leaders, and the ministry of labour.

Posters and other campaign materials were developed to stress the message Ratify and domesticate ILO C190 on violence and harassment in the world of work in Uganda.

Involving women and youth in the campaign was crucial as they are the most affected by violence and harassment in the world of work. To raise awareness on the importance of the Convention among the public, the unions organized several press conferences, involving the Uganda Broadcasting corporation.

"The Convention will foster a safe and respectful workplace environment for both female and male workers once it is domesticated. However,we will not sit back until C190 is domesticated,"

says Irene Faith Lanyero, chairperson of IndustriALL National Women Committee-Uganda and assistant national treasureer of Uganda Textile,Garment Leather and Allied Workers Union (UTGLAWU).

“ILO C190 is key for a workplace without violence and harassment, and we applaud our affiliates’ campaigning which have been instrumental in Uganda ratifying the Convention,”

says Paule Ndessomin, IndustriALL regional secretary.

Convention 190 is the first international labour standard to address violence and harassment in the world of work. Together with Recommendation 206, it provides a common framework for action and a unique opportunity to shape a future of work based on dignity and respect.

Uruguay: unions campaign for shorter working hours

On 3 August, the Confederation of Manufacturing Unions of Uruguay ran a seminar to review and analyse the possibility of reducing the country’s weekly working hours. Participants discussed the various ways to foster a discussion so that necessary agreements could be reached.

They said that shortening the working week from 48 to 40 hours would constitute a cultural change, one that would improve workers’ health and lifestyle and give them more time for their education and their families.

Representatives of the 14 unions in the Confederation shared experiences of what has happened in countries in Latin America and Europe that have already reduced the working week. These experiences will then be shared as part of the negotiations that will take place within each branch of industry’s tripartite wage council.

Carlos Bico, UOC general secretary, said:

“We share experiences so that we can put our proposal to the wage councils. We’re analyzing the contracts signed with the companies; we want to show that the shorter working hours won’t affect companies’ productivity, and that it can be done without lowering workers’ wages.”

The unions will campaign for their initiative to be passed as a law in the national parliament, and plan to hold street rallies. A march will take place on 31 August with a rally in front of the country’s Labour Ministry. Their main aims are for the working week to be reduced to 40 hours and to defend domestic manufacturing, employment and wages.

Marino Vani, IndustriALL regional secretary, said:

"This is an excellent and much-needed initiative. The government and employers need to come up with concrete measures and laws to reduce working hours without adversely affecting wages. This will help to drive industrial development and ensure better income distribution in the country. We need to expand the labour market and this is one way of doing it.”

Niger: unions call for democracy, peace, stability and security

On 30 July the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) issued an ultimatum and threat to intervene with military force to restore the deposed president back to power if the presidential guard did not release the president. The bloc’s defence chiefs have agreed on a possible military action plan, including when and where to strike if the country’s detained leader is not released and reinstated by this Sunday.

IndustriALL affiliates Syndicat National des Travailleurs de l'Industrie du Niger (SNTIN) and Syndicat National des Travailleurs des Mines du Niger who belong to one of the trade union centers Union de Syndicates des Travailleurs du Niger USTN, have condemned this military coup and calls on the population to ban any act of violence on people and their property.

Unions have called on the so-called National Council for Safeguarding the Fatherland (CNSP), to make all efforts to store peace and stability for all in the region. Unions said that they will fight any situation that does not consider the general interests of workers and the Nigerien people. Unions demand that CNSP do everything possible to alleviate the suffering of workers through compliance with the commitments made by previous government.

In the past years, the security in the Sahel region which includes countries Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, The Gambia, Guinea Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal has become severely unstable.

Extremists, terrorists and insurgents continue to pose real threats to lives and livelihoods. Thousands of people have been killed, children kidnapped, schools destroyed, and farmers have been forced to quit their farms. These attacks partly account for why the countries in the Sahel region have high rates of poverty, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), out-of-school children and violent civilian deaths.

The action plan adopted by the 2021 Congress says: “IndustriALL Global Union and its affiliates are firmly against all attempted coup d’état or anti-democratic interventions against the free will and vote of the people. We defend genuine democracy on the basis of respect for human rights and stand united with people in those countries affected”.

Rose Omamo, IndustriALL’s Vice-President for Sub-Saharan Africa says:

“If ECOWAS reacts with military intervention, it will greatly affect the working class and poor people who are already in a vulnerable position. We call on ECOWAS, to find diplomatic and concrete ways to resolve this political catastrophe which does not include mobilizing for military deployment. We also encourage ECOWAS and the African Union to take careful necessary steps to coordinate a platform to discuss security and challenges threatening the socio-economic and political stability of the Sahel region and the continent.”
“Workers need democracy, peace, stability and security and deploying the military will not provide that.”

Rieter India workers on strike again

Over 350 workers at Rieter India had struck work in January this year after management refused to address the union’s concerns about unfair labour practices. Seven union leaders, including the general secretary and president, were transferred in an effort to weaken the union after it filed a complaint with the labour department regarding the company’s unlawful employment of contract workers.

The workers have been compelled to go on strike once more since Rieter management has not resolved the issue yet but has also launched further attacks on the union to undermine workers' rights. Collectively 20 workers have been suspended after being implicated in false cases. Another 20 workers have been transferred to various far-off locations under the pretence of training purposes. Nine union members, including two union representatives, were also abruptly dismissed from service when the union issued a strike notice.

Kishor Somwanshi, president of Shramik Ekta Mahasangh, says:

“Instead of resolving the issue, Rieter management is abusing its power by calling in the police and local politicians to break the strike. This is unacceptable. We will continue the struggle as long as our demands remain unmet.”

Apoorva Kaiwar, IndustriALL’s South Asia regional secretary, paid a solidarity visit to the striking workers, and said:

“IndustriALL stands shoulder to shoulder with workers at Rieter India. We fully support the demands of our affiliate and we urge management to come forward and resolve the matter soon.”