Working in war-torn Ukraine

Why is the issue of protecting workers’ rights in Ukraine important to discuss now, in the middle of the war? 

“It is important because workers suffer from the war, occupation, and aggression. Workers lose their jobs and their incomes, workers and their families need to flee, both internally and externally, but workers also have to defend and save their country. We all expect workers’ rights to be respected, that their unions are supported and given opportunity to serve their members. But the reality is very different.

“At a time when the country needs unity it shouldn’t be a priority for policy makers to change labour laws against the interest of workers while they fight for the sovereignty, integrity, democracy and prosperity of their country. This is, to say the least, extremely disappointing and frustrating.

“When we talk about workers’ rights, we need to look at two areas. One is the temporarily and unlawfully occupied areas where there are serious violations. We receive terrible reports from the ground about killings, torture, arbitrary detentions, forced work and forced deportation. The other one are the recent changes on almost all labour-related to laws, including individual and collective labour legislation, resulting in a huge regression.” 

How do workers manage to continue given the war? 

“They are courageously working. Imagine a mine worker going underground while bombs are falling. Energy workers try to provide electricity for people to ensure that daily life continues or try to repair damaged energy systems, putting their own lives at risk. They even do it without any or less payment, and without any protection. 

“If there is still an economy in the country, it is thanks to the workers in industry, agriculture and services. They deserve much better than what they have today. They must be treated much better. Their rights must be improved instead of curtailed. 

“Our main job as an international trade union is to support them – we must be their voice. Their government and the international community must understand the reality of workers. This is why we keep fighting outside and inside the country.”

For some workers, in nuclear plants for example, the health and safety situation is appalling. Can’t those workers simply refuse to work, as is their right? 

“Workers are exposed to higher risks of missile attacks and landmines than the general population. They are forced to work in unsafe and unhealthy situations where the physical infrastructure and the workspace re damaged, health and safety management systems are not operational, and normal safety procedures are not followed. 

“For nuclear workers, there is a high radiation exposure risk. It is reported that workers are denied information about health and safety risks because of changes in the working environment and the invasion. It is very difficult to get information from those workplaces, therefore we don’t know if workers have opportunity to remove themselves from imminent danger and potentially unsafe situations at work.

“We are very concerned with the fact that workers are not provided personal protective equipment of the same quality as before. Every worker must have a right to a safe and healthy work environment. Refuse to work in unsafe conditions is a fundamental right. However, under the circumstances workers are forced to do many things without consent. This is the ground reality which needs to be exposed and fixed.”

 

How have the labour laws changed in Ukraine and how will the changes impact workers?  

“Immediately after the outbreak of the war, in March 2022, the Ukrainian Parliament enacted the Law on the Organization of Labour Relations Under Martial Law. This has immensely restricted individual and collective workers’ rights. 

“In addition, the Parliament enacted a series of laws in 2022 which resulted in a massive setback for labour rights, in fact constituting a threat to fundamental labour relations, and in broader term to social dialogue. The latter is badly needed in the country at this very difficult time.

“This is a continuation of the so-called reform for liberalization of labour and deregulation of industrial relations in Ukraine. It is unfortunate that instead of improving the current Labour Code, Ukrainian policy makers change labour laws, removing almost all rights gained by workers. 

“In consequence, there is no protection for workers. This is the Ukrainian version of a race to the bottom for workers, in line with the prescriptions of international finance institutions. But this is the wrong way.”

Why is it important to highlight violations of workers’ rights during a war? 

“It is important because it is the raison d’etre our movement. In every circumstance, defending workers’ rights is our primary responsibility.

“It is important because in a war, workers’ voices, particularly in the occupied areas, are not heard. We, the international unions, have to be the voice of voiceless. Intergovernmental agencies must know the reality of workers in order to take necessary action. This is why we issue sector briefs with the ILO, for example.

“It is important because what has been done and is being done must be taken recorded for accountability and responsibility. The international community cannot let anyone get away with it. In the world of labour, it is our responsibility to do bring it to light.” 

Protecting workers' rights in Ukraine during the war and in the reconstruction of the country

“People, workers and unions in Ukraine have our unwavering support,”

said IndustriALL assistant general secretary Kemal Özkan as he opened the two days dedicated to discussions on what kind of country Ukraine wants to be after the war and how it wants to treat its people, incorporating trade unions into the debate as a pivotal actor. 

“There is a burning need to address labour and human rights violations. We need to share the realities on the ground and bring evidence to the attention of international authorities, particularly to the ILO. Although it is war time, the voice of workers must be heard internationally.”


“We must also look ahead and prepare for the reconstruction of the country. With trade unions on board, if post-war Ukraine is to start on a democratic footing,” 

stressed Isabelle Barthès, industriAll Europe Deputy General Secretary.

“Massive investment will be needed, and we must be sure that this investment is made based on respect for workers’ rights.”


The tripartite meeting on 13 July brought together 13 trade unions in Ukraine affiliated to IndustriALL Global Union and industriAll Europe, as well as representatives from the ILO, the UN and Ukraine’s government and employers. The trade unions had held an internal discussion the day before with the participation of their national centres, the Federation of Ukrainian Trade Unions (FUP) and the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions (KVPU). 

Valeriy Matov (President Nuclear Power and Industry Workers Union – Atomprofspilka); Mykhailo Volynets (President Independent Trade Union of Miners – NPGU and Confederation of Independent Unions of Ukraine – KVPU, member of Parliament); Kemal Özkan; Alexander Bercht (IGBCE board member); Felix Hett (Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung representative for Ukraine)

Workers’ rights in times of war – testimonies 

In emotional addresses, trade union representatives from the mining, electronics and engineering, aircraft, oil and gas, and chemical sectors, described the reality for workers in war-torn Ukraine, experiencing daily bombing of factories, a lack of specialized staff and production stoppages. 

Coal mining is crucial for the country’s economy and energy supplies. Union leaders from the mining sector told of a lack of skilled labour as young people have been drafted into the army and others have fled the country. 

The health and safety situation in the mines is precarious. Workers mine without adequate personal protective equipment. Dust levels, for example, can be up to three times higher than allowed. As many mines are heavily in debt, social security contributions are not made, making it impossible to fund early retirement for miners despite working in dangerous conditions.

In the occupied areas, Donetsk and Luhansk, the situation for workers is extremely difficult. Information is difficult to obtain as those who communicate with unions outside the occupied territories risk serious reprisals from the oppressors. 

But there have been reports of forced Russian citizenship, forced conscription into the Russian army, illegal mines that do not meet environmental standards, women and children forced to work in mines, and flooded mines, which are an environmental disaster.

The two representatives from the UN, Noel Kalhoun and Denise Brown, reinforced how difficult but also how important, it is to gather testimonials of violations. 

“It is increasingly difficult to find people to talk to, but we need to do this or else it will be forgotten. We talk to victims and witnesses, on the phone or in person, to establish the truth about what is happening. These reports become part of the UN’s permanent record of what is taking place in Ukraine and are heard in Geneva and New York.”

“Workers' rights are human rights, and these rights need to be protected during war time as well. You can, and you should, help your members report violations of their rights,”

said Casper Edmonds, ILO head of unit for extractives, energy & manufacturing.

“We need to build the record of what is happening in the areas temporarily controlled by the Russian Federation. The rapes, the killings, the forced labour and violations of health and safety at work and of freedom of association need to be on record so that we can hold perpetrators to account.”


Labour law changes erode workers’ rights

Immediately after the start of the war, in March 2022, the Ukrainian Parliament passed the Law on the Organisation of Labour Relations under Martial Law. This severely restricted the exercise of workers' individual and collective rights.

A series of further laws in 2022 resulted in a massive setback for labour rights in the country, posing a major threat to the foundations of labour relations and, more broadly, to social dialogue. The latter is desperately needed by the country at this very difficult time in the midst of war and occupation.

The bills are a continuation of the so-called reform to liberalise the labour market and deregulate industrial relations in Ukraine. Unfortunately, instead of improving the current Labour Code, Ukrainian policymakers are taking away almost all the rights that workers have gained. 

The result is no protection for workers and a race to the bottom for workers in line with the prescriptions of the international financial institutions. 

Among the changes is a new law that excludes workers in small and medium-sized enterprises from legal protection through a new "contractual regime for regulating labour relations". Under this law, all working conditions are determined by an employment contract rather than by labour law.

Collective agreements remain in force under martial law but are not respected, and employers can suspend parts of collective agreements without consulting unions. A suspension of payments for recreation and sport has led to a suspension of payments to unions. The budget law prevents wage increases. 

“Recent labour law changes in Ukraine are far from international standards. They are harmful and they are wrong. Changes must be advanced through social dialogue,” 

said Kemal Özkan.

Post-war reconstruction 

Since the invasion in February last year, around 5 million people have fled the country and Ukraine counts 4-5 million internally displaced. Add to that war veterans, a whole generation of children and teenagers with trauma, 120,000 new disabled people in the first six months of 2023 alone. 


Hundreds of thousands of women have taken on a new role, assuming responsibility for providing for their families. However, there is no system in place to care for their parents and/or children, which traditionally have been the responsibility of women. 

“The question of post-war reconstruction in Ukraine needs our full attention. How, and by whom, will it be financed? How do we impose social conditions on investments? How are trade unions involved the discussions? There will be no reconstruction without social justice and without strengthening workers’ and trade union rights”,

insisted Isabelle Barthès. 

Rebuilding the country needs to consider more than rebuilding roads and houses. It must also take into account pensions, retraining and delivering a Just Transition for workers, for a modern economy is not only built on extraction and agriculture, but also manufacturing. 


The transition to green energy will be a huge challenge for the Ukraine. New mines continue to open and coal is still the most available and abundant form of energy. Miners in Ukraine need a Just Transition and a vision for the future of coal. The upcoming cooperation project between Ukrainian mining unions and the German IGBCE will be an important learning opportunity. The energy and mining union has a long history of transforming the German coal sector with union involvement.


Trade unions need to start developing their demands to play a role in reconstructing the country, whether it involves macroeconomic or labour market policies. Without voicing their demands, the voices of workers who are playing a crucial role during the occupation will be missing. 


Commenting on the recent report on violations of fundamental workers’ rights by IndustriALL and the ILO, Casper Edmonds said: 

“If it was not for the 1,200 workers diligently doing their jobs, there would probably already have been a major nuclear incident.”

“These two days have been very fruitful, emotional, and very constructive. Workers need to be at the centre of rebuilding the country,” 

said Kemal Özkan.

“We need to give people a reason to return to Ukraine. Wages and protection must be guaranteed.”

Indian unions call for better working conditions amidst country’s rise as a major chemical and tyre manufacturing hub

India is expected to see a huge growth in the chemical, pharmaceutical and tyre sectors. Global share of the Indian chemical industry is projected to triple by 2040. Rising domestic consumption is one of the major factors fuelling the growth.

In pharmaceuticals, India currently ranks third in the world in terms of production volume. The country is called pharmacy of the world and accounts for 60 per cent of global vaccine production and 20 per cent of global supply of generics. Likewise, in the tyre sector, India is among the leading manufacturers and the country is expected to double its revenue by 2032.

While these industries are expected to churn out huge revenues, the underlying factors behind the growth need to carefully scrutinised. According to a report published by McKinsey in March 2023, India’s infrastructure costs across construction, material, and machinery, are up to 70 per cent lower than other global chemicals manufacturing hubs. This means the spending on safety infrastructure is also very poor as is reflected in the high number of industrial incidents reported every month. The report's findings reinforce the concerns brought up at the meeting by IndustriALL affiliates.

Meetings were attended by union representatives from Berger Paints, Solvay, BASF, Fresenius, TTK Pharma, Nerolac Kansai, Kores, Foseco, MRF and JK Tire. Rising engagement of contract workers and poverty wages paid to them is a key concern among unions. The low labour cost is one of the drivers behind the country emerging as the hub of chemical manufacturing. In order to attract capital, employers are paying low wages to workers and hiring more contract workers with no job security or social security benefits. Mergers and acquisitions pose significant challenges to unions in organising and retaining membership. Union members shared that outsourcing of unionised jobs and informalisation of economy coupled with automation is also adversely affecting workers and trade unions.

Tom Grinter, IndustriALL’s director of chemical, pharmaceutical and rubber sectors, said :

“While India is growing as a major manufacturing hub of chemical, pharmaceutical as well as tyre, the situation of workers employed in factories is only becoming worse. We need to build stronger networks and greater solidarity to safeguard workers’ rights. Companies’ policies must be challenged to ensure workers get quality unionised jobs with better wages and working conditions.”

Unions in the pharmaceutical sector cited an example of the ways in which the industry is undermining union power by creating divisions among the working class. Employees in pharma and chemical industry, including sales promotion employees, have been redesignated as executives in order to bring them out of the ambit of the trade unions and labour laws.  

Unionists called for inclusive unions and the need for greater collaboration among trade unions by establishing company and sectoral networks, especially in Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Regions.

Apoorva Kaiwar, IndustriALL’s South Asia regional secretary said: 

“The chemical, pharma and tyre industries are very important industries in India. Building union power in these industries is crucial to make sure that workers’ rights are advanced, even as the industries move towards newer technologies, and the need for Just Transition becomes imperative.”
 

Malagasy unionists arrested over QMM protests must be released!

QMM, owned 20 per cent by the Malagasy state and the remaining 80 per cent by Rio Tinto, mines ilmenite which is used to make titanium dioxide used in paints, inks, fabrics, plastics, paper, and other products. The community says it has lost means of livelihood from the forests which include food, water, shelter, and medicines, amongst other benefits. Further, it is now exceedingly difficult to catch fish in the lagoon because of the mining activities.  
 
The United Steelworkers (USW), which represent 850,000 members in Canada and the United States, and has close partnerships with Malagasy unions, the Syndicalisme et Vie des Societes (SVS) Anosy and Sendika Kristanina Malagasy (SEKRIMA) that represent workers at QMM, said the protests, “follow on from other episodes of civil unrest in the past, fuelled by what is perceived as a lack of effort by Rio Tinto to engage in meaningful consultation or dialogue with the affected communities.”  
 

“Our union strongly condemns what we consider targeted attacks against union activists, and therefore on the freedom of association and the right to protest. The actions of the Malagasy police send a clear message of fear and intimidation to workers who wish to exercise their rights in a context which was already dire for organizers,"

says Marty Warren, USW national director for Canada.

The USW also wants the government to drop the arrest warrants against Eugène Chrétien and Laurent Manjary, and instead “open channels of communications with the protesters in order to find a peaceful, lasting resolution to this ongoing conflict.”
 
Glen Mpufane, IndustriALL mining director, says:

“We reiterate calls for peaceful and non-adversarial approaches to addressing genuine concerns of the community and trade unions at QMM over the adverse effects of mining in Fort Dauphin. Engagement in social dialogue is necessary for the stakeholders to find an amicable solution. However, intimidation, arrests, and imprisonment, are detrimental to resolving community and industrial disputes.”

The partnership between USW and the unions in Madagascar is anchored by a project to strengthen the Malagasy unions’ internal capacity on organizing strategies, training, workers and human rights, and effective trade unionism. The USW and SEKRIMA are affiliated to IndustriALL.

Brazil enacts law to ensure equal pay for women and men

Women workers in Brazil earn 21 per cent less than men, according to data from the Inter-Trade Union Department of Statistics and Socioeconomic Studies (DIESSE). In sectors where women predominate (like health, education and social services), the pay gap is even wider: 32 per cent compared to men’s pay.

In response to this, President Lula da Silva signed Bill 1085 into law on 3 July, with a view to guaranteeing equal pay and remuneration for women and men, seeking to combat the inequalities in the labour market, increase women’s financial autonomy and improve their overall situation.

The legislation sets out measures to promote and implement diversity and inclusion programmes in the workplace, including training on the issue for managers, leaders and employees.

It also requires companies with 100 or more employees to provide transparent half-yearly reports on pay and remuneration criteria. These reports should contain information enabling an objective comparison of men’s and women’s pay and remuneration.

In the event of irregularities, administrative penalties will be applied and judicial processes to redress the inequality will be facilitated. The new legislation increases the fine by up to ten times in cases where a woman is paid less than a man doing the same job and doubles it for repeat offences. The law also provides for compensation for moral damages on grounds of discrimination based on sex, race, ethnicity, origin or age.

“The new law establishes that the criteria of equal pay and remuneration are mandatory for women and men doing work of equal value or the same job. (…)
We have the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Women, the Public Ministry of Labour… and everyone has to work towards ensuring compliance with the law,”

said the President on the day of the signing.

Mónica Veloso, IndustriALL vice president for Latin America and the Caribbean, emphasises the significance for women workers in Brazil:

“It is essential that we take ownership of this historic victory in the fight for gender equality and make this public instrument a reality for women in the world of work. We need to extend its application in collective agreements.

"The trade union movement, with the strength of women workers, can and must be a strong ally of this public policy enabling a social and economic transformation in the lives of women workers.”

Germany: strike ends at Vestas

The prolonged strike came to an end as 92 per cent voted in favour of the negotiated agreement and expressed support for ending the strike. The workers achieved their goal of securing a collective agreement at Vestas, marking one of the longest labour disputes in IG Metall's history.

The conflict between the union and Vestas' management was intense and polarized. For 73 days, the company's management refused to negotiate with IG Metall and sought to address wage issues solely through the works council. However, the success of the strike movement challenged this stance, effectively shaping future working conditions at Vestas through collective agreements.

“Throughout the year-long struggle, full-time employees, both political and administrative, who supported the workers at Vestas, have developed deep respect and admiration for their unwavering dedication. Despite the virtual nature of the strike, with digital strike meetings conducted twice a day and no physical picket lines, the workers demonstrated remarkable commitment and solidarity. Trust in IG Metall and its decisions remained strong among members, fueled by the support and solidarity received from all corners of the organization and beyond. Just a month ago a resolution was passed at IndustriALL’s executive committee in Cape town,”

said Jörg Hoffman, IndustriALL president and IG Metall general secretary.

Messages, resolutions, videos, and photos poured in from colleagues worldwide, representing various branches and workplaces. The global community of IG Metall members actively participated in digital strike meetings, leaving a lasting impact. The bargaining committee and all those who attended the strike meetings extended their heartfelt thanks for the overwhelming support, donations, and expressions of solidarity. 

“With the strike now concluded and a collective agreement in place, workers at Vestas can look to the future with improved working conditions and rights secured through their determined efforts. This milestone serves as a testament to the power of unity and solidarity in achieving fair and just outcomes in the labor movement,“

said IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie.

Letter: IndustriALL Global Union congratulates IG Metall on reaching collective agreement at Vestas in Germany

Unions file complaint against Italian brands remaining in Myanmar

Since the military coup in February 2021 trade unions have been outlawed and union activists are hounded. Workers’ rights are violated, and it is impossible to conduct due diligence in the country.
 
Acting on this, CGIL, CISL, UIL and Italia-Birmania Insieme, who all support the call for comprehensive economic sanctions and a responsible exit from Myanmar, will follow closely the complaint filed at the Italian National Contact Point (NCP). The NCPs have a responsibility to help resolve complaints of alleged breaches of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
 
Says Khaing Zar, president of IndustriALL affiliate IWFM:

“Fundamental rights at work have been violated since the beginning of the coup and we are taking action to counter the lack of cooperation of the brands who insist on remaining in Myanmar. Many brands are hiding behind support from the European Union through the MADE in Myanmar programme, in effect whitewashing from the EU providing space to fake trade unions and a fake social dialogue.”

IndustriALL’s 3rd Congress in September 2021 adopted a resolution in support of democracy in Myanmar, calling for comprehensive economic sanctions.

“The NCP complaint filed by our Italian affiliates is one of many pathways we use following the Congress resolution,”

says IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie.

“In other countries and against other brands we use different mechanisms to get the same results. There is no freedom of association and operating in Myanmar lines the pockets of the military junta.”


 

Workers in Nepal demand fair wages

According to Nepal’s labour law, the minimum wage is fixed every two years taking the current inflation into account. Affiliates highlight in the letter that the current minimum wage of a factory worker which is NPR 15000 (US$114), is not sufficient to ensure a decent standard of living especially considering the skyrocketing inflation.

Trade unions are demanding that industrial workers be paid on a par with a first-level government employee who gets a monthly salary of about NPR 26200 (US$200).
Amrit Lal Joshi, president of IndustriALL Global Union’s affiliate Nepal Factory Labour Union, says:

“Employers are saying that the economy is in a slump and with the production getting severely affected, it’s not possible to pay higher wages. This is unacceptable. If workers’ demands are not met, we will be forced to initiate a nationwide movement.”

Unions also point out in the letter that a large section of the workers in the country are also excluded from the social security schemes. In the absence of any social protections, workers are not even able to afford quality healthcare services.

Kemal Ozkan, assistant general secretary of IndustriALL, says:

“IndustriALL firmly stands with the demands of its Nepali affiliates. We urge the government and employers to seriously consider the demands of trade unions and ensure fair wages for workers.”

Malagasy trade unionist seeks justice

In an interview with IndustriALL Global Union: 

“On 27 August 2022 when I was on annual leave, the gendarmerie came looking for me at my old address. When they could not find me, they went to the factory and got my phone number from co-workers. I then received a text message that I should report to the nearest police station, to which I did the following day, and was arrested after being informed that I had disclosed sensitive information about E-Toile on social media.” 

“I had posted the results of elections of the staff representative, responses by management on workers complaints about poor meals that were provided by the employer, existence of training provided to staff and union representatives by the labour inspectorate, and workers concerns on unpaid overtime.” 

Sento was invited to the meeting as an assistant union representative from SVS which is affiliated to IndustriALL. The trial took place on 1 September, and he was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment with a fine of 400 000 Ariary which he never paid. After serving nine months he was given a presidential pardon of three months. 

“Although I appealed against the conviction and sentence for violating confidential information, the appeal was only granted after the prison sentence.” 

Antanimora in Antananarivo, where he served the sentence, is amongst the worst prisons in the world, overcrowded, and in a deplorable state according to UN agencies.  

Zotiakobanjinina Fanja Marcel Sento Chang (26)

"Life in prison was difficult. The cells were opened at 6 am. Prison guards counted the inmates and handed over to guards taking over for the next shift. I was in a cell with over 130 inmates, and the numbers kept going up as a new prisoners came every day. We slept on makeshift beds of planks that accommodated up to three prisoners, and only one meal per day of boiled cassava was served at 3 pm. Unless your family brought in extra food, you would starve most of the time. At 6 pm we were back in the cells.” 

With a young family; a partner, toddler and infant, Sento hopes to get his old job back.  

“I want my job back so that I can provide for my family.”

His family has found a lawyer to represent him during the appeal process. 

“I would like to thank IndustriALL, SVS and other organizations for their support during my imprisonment. This support gave me strength and I felt that I was not alone in the workers struggle.”  

After SVS, ITUC and IndustriALL took the matter to the International Labour Conference, the Committee of Experts on the Applications of Standards recommended that the Government of Madagascar must “immediately and unconditionally quash the conviction” of Sento and “refrain from using the criminal law to target trade unions.” 

But the Alsico Group to which E-Toile SA is a subsidiary continues to maintain that:  

“It is not up to us to comment on the decisions of judges or to command or pressure the judiciary, nor is it our role to comment on Malagasy law. We are all fighting the same battle, each at our level.” 

Atle Høie, IndustriALL general secretary said:  

“We will continue to support justice for Sento and for the criminal record to be expunged. Trade unionists are not criminals but activists for the internationally recognized freedom of association and the protection of fundamental rights at work.” 

NUMSA secures permanent jobs for 100 workers at Bell Equipment

Under the labour brokers, who provide temporary employment services, the workers were employed under precarious working conditions that included earning 50 per cent of what permanent workers earned, insecure monthly contracts, and being excluded from benefits like pensions, medical aid, home loans, and vehicle financing. 

“This agreement is an important achievement for the union and means that the workers will receive medical aid and an improved provident fund. This will fundamentally improve the workers’ quality of life. They now have job security and will be able to raise their families with dignity.

When workers are united, they are a powerful unstoppable force which can transform society for the better. We thank NUMSA officials and shop stewards for their tireless efforts in resolving this labour crisis and will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that workers get what has been promised to them,”

says Irvin Jim, NUMSA general secretary. 

However, negotiations are still ongoing the outstanding demands that include a housing allowance of R2000 ($107), transport allowance of R1000 ($54), profit share of R2000 ($107) which the union says should be untaxed.

Further, the metalworkers insist that more temporary contracts should be converted to permanent. The conciliation is still ongoing at Bell Equipment under the Metals and Engineering Bargaining Council and NUMSA says should these negotiations fail, going on strike remains an option. 

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

“We applaud NUMSA in its relentless fight against labour broking at Bell Equipment and other employers. Labour broking does not promote decent work as brokers give short contracts, low wages, and no benefits. It is also a threat to unionization as active union members’ contracts are sometimes not renewed instilling fear into workers and making them reluctant to join unions.”  

In 2018, NUMSA won a landmark Constitutional Court case in which it was ruled that labour brokers cannot give contracts that are over three months, and should that happen the contracts become permanent. For example, if workers are hired for three months under the labour broker, the broker is the employer. But if it is longer than three months, the employer is the company where they are working. 

NUMSA, which is affiliated to IndustriALL Global Union, organizes workers in engineering, metals, mining, and other manufacturing sectors.