IndustriALL women’s committee develop gender perspective for Mid-Term Policy Conference

Over 100 women from around the world participated in the meeting on 18 June in Cape Town, South Africa, the first in a week full of meetings leading up to IndustriALL’s Mid-Term Policy Conference.

“We have an important task to fulfil here. We are fighting for gender equality, and we take pride in having strong brothers who stand with us. If we want to make progress we need to increase our knowledge and that is what we are doing here,”

said Hashmeya Alsadawe, IndustriALL Vice-President.

Assistant general secretary Christine Olivier said:

“Feminism is seen in a different light, it is seen as women who want to overthrow men, but we must change this narrative. We are not here to overthrow men, we are here to determine how we include women in building strong unions, how we make sure that women’s needs are attended to in all sectors and companies and we are here to make sure that women are included in the just transition process.”

A session on how feminism can change trade unions was chaired by IndustriALL vice president Rose Omamo.

“When we mention feminism people think people we want to take over from men and this is not the case. Feminism is a word that means to fight domination and inequality,”

said Rose Omamo.

Women in the meeting shared their experiences on feminism and a common denominator was lack of visibility of women in trade unions and in leadership positions and that gender equality is an ongoing struggle. Many women shared their experience as often seen as incapable of leading and in order to achieve a feminist organization everyone must work together.

Professor Akuka O Britwum, an expert on gender and labour from Ghana who made a presentation on how feminism can change trade unions said,

“feminism could help building democracy in trade unions, meaning making these unions legitimate and relevant. We need to bring men in the core of the discussion in order to dismantle patriarchy and toxic masculinity.”

Irati Bañuelos from ELA Spain shared her experience on how her union has been working towards becoming a feminist union.

“The women working in my union wanted to work in a feminist organization. In 2017, we led a participatory diagnosis exercise, and we found that our union has been reproducing the discrimination existing in the society against women. Yes, we had resistance from men, and it has been a long, difficult but interesting process and we found that we need to work differently. We need better recruitment and collective bargaining for women,”

said Irati Benuelos.

Armelle Seby, director of gender and white-collar workers said,

“we need to make sure that we add a gender perspective to the Mid-Term Conference. Trade unions need to collect data to capture the different impact on women and men, of growing inequalities and ongoing transformation in the world of work, and develop gender responsive strategies. We need to extend social protection for women in the informal economy. To promote a gender transformative approach to human rights due diligence to transform discriminatory social norms and we need to make sure companies are accountable. We need to make sure that just transition plans will enable equal opportunity for women and men to access future jobs .”

Building workers’ power along the Hop Lun Group supply chain

Hop Lun, who manufactures lingerie and swimwear, employs close to 30,000 people in twelve manufacturing facilities in Bangladesh, China, Indonesia and Ethiopia.

Workers in Hop Lun facilities in Bangladesh are organized under IndustriALL affiliate Sommilito Garment Sramik Federation (SGSF) and have negotiated collective bargaining agreements. Workers at Indonesian facilities are organized under IndustriALL affiliate GARTEKS SBSI, on their way to negotiate CBAs by increasing membership.

Organizing was central when the federation and union level leaders from the two countries met in Indonesia last week for a Trade union leaders Information exchange. Participants from Bangladesh shared their long struggle of establishing their unions and successful negotiations of two CBAs in the last four years.

Workers and union leaders from the two countries formed the Hop Lun trade union network and discussed the importance of a network to build cross-border union solidarity to attain a common set of labour standards throughout the supply chain.

Discussions also included wages, contract types, maternity leave, union recognition and negotiations, occupational safety and health, and supply chain industrial relations.

IndustriALL sector director Christina Hajagos-Clausen said:

“Trade union networks are key to building worker power across the supply chain. Exchanging information between workers is an important step in increasing awareness on organizing and collective bargaining. We will call on Hop Lun to recognize our new trade union network.”

Members of the newly formed network agreed to improve communication through national contact persons and IndustriALL project coordinators from the two countries, and committed to build solidarity among workers.

Action plans on organizing and increasing membership of the union in Indonesia were agreed upon, as were plans to engage with the Hop Lun head office for negotiations on a global framework agreement with the help of IndustriALL.

Everyone needs social protection

In February, Indonesia’s Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mining, Oil and Gas Workers’ Union (FSP KEP) received facilities for mothers, after a 5-year long negotiation with PT Garudafood Putra Putri Jaya Tbk (Garudafood). 700 women workers can now enjoy new facilities like a lactation room, breast feeding facility, childcare centre, and special allowance.

These workers were organized by FSP KEP under their general industry sector. IndustriALL and Union-to-Union provided them with union building training, which allowed them to include the lactation room in the latest collective agreement.

Bangladesh's ministry of labour and employment launched a pilot for an employment injury scheme in collaboration with the International Labour Organization in June last year. The scheme covers the country’s four million ready-made garment (RMG) workers. The employment injury scheme (EIS) is a social protection scheme includes compensation for medical treatment and rehabilitation services, as well as income loss caused by occupational injuries and disease.

This project aims to top up the lump sums already paid in Bangladesh for death and permanent disability due to work injury, and to ensure that work-related compensations are line with international labour standards.

In September 2022, IndustriALL affiliates in Morocco, Jordan, Tunisia, Egypt, and Palestine launched a campaign to fight for social protection and for better health and safety standards in the region’s textile, garment and shoe factories. Textile unions in MENA joined the global call by taking up the Garment workers need safe factories campaign.

Kan Matsuzaki, IndustriALL assistant general secretary says:

“social protection is mandatory, but many workers are deprived of it because companies evade it, and the law is often not correctly applied. Many workers find themselves without a pension when retiring and women are deprived of their maternity rights. We need to work together to make sure that all workers have access to social protection.”

Global unions meet representatives of Myanmar National Unity Government

Minister Aung Myo Min applauded the global unions’ efforts to mobilize the global trade union movement to call for recognition of the NUG, as well as the imposition of more economic sanctions against the military junta.

The Minister said that the military is increasingly losing control, with 52 per cent of the territory no longer under military control, and a resilient civil disobedience movement that resists the regime.

The military is guilty of genocide against the Rohingya. However, the regime is now committing democide – it sees the people as the enemy. Although the military is losing territory, it has air supremacy and uses this to conduct air strikes against civilians.

It is essential that all financial resources that benefit the military are cut, as well as essential supplies and services – particularly aviation fuel and access to the SWIFT payment network. The military uses the foreign exchange it receives to buy weapons and ammunition.

“Together with other global unions, IndustriALL reiterated our support for the democracy movement,”

says IndustriALL assistant general secretary Kemal Özkan.

“It has been two years since the military junta seized power, and we continue to stress the urgent need for comprehensive economic sanctions to cut off the illegitimate government.”

Unionists demand all charges against jailed Belarusian trade union leaders be dropped

Delegates at the demonstration demanded that all charges against the imprisoned leaders be dropped and that international organizations are given access to visit the country.

Maksim Pazniakou, acting president of the the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP) said:

“We thank you for being here and supporting our Belarusian colleagues. Your support is very important for those in jail; they know that they have support from the outside and that they are not alone. I hope that the adoption of Article 33 will push the authorities to respect workers’ rights and it will help to release our comrades from jail and to restore the independent trade union movement in the country.”

Earlier this week, the ILC adopted a resolution under Article 33 of the ILO constitution, challenging Belarus’ continued disregard for workers’ rights and the arrest of countless trade unionists. Article 33 tackles non-compliance with a report of an ILO commission of inquiry. This commission was established in 2003 regarding violations of ILO Conventions 87 and 98. This adoption means that member states will take all the possible steps to ensure that Belarus implements the recommendations of that enquiry. This could involve sanctions but also support for those persecuted by the regime and their struggle for international workers’ rights.

This is the first time in the more than 100-year history of the ILO that delegates to the International Labour Conference, representing governments, employers and trade unions, have taken such a step to stop violations of freedom of association. Until now, this procedure had only been used once—in 2000, against Myanmar, over its use of forced labour.

IndustriALL assistant Kemal Özkan said:

“We are fighting against a dictator and are united with the workers in Belarus. We will not give up until the political hostages are freed. This is a fight for democracy and for fundamental workers’ rights. We have an important step forward with the ILC decision on Article 33 and we will continue until we get justice for Belarus. Our struggle continues and we will win.”

Military breaks strike in Myanmar garment factory

Earlier in June, seven workers at the Hosheng Myanmar Garment Factory in Yangon were dismissed for demanding a wage increase from US$1.68 to US$1.96. 600 workers at the factory who produce for one of the world’s biggest brands, Zara, went on strike, abruptly halted as the employer brought in the military to threaten the workforce.

Yesterday, 14 June, the seven workers who led the demand for a pay rise, Ma Aye Thandar HTay, MA Thandar Htay, Ma May Thu Min, Ko Aung Aung, Ko Ye Naing, Ko Ye Thwe Hlaing, were fired and a female worker leader, Ma Thu Thu San, was arrested. There has been no contact with Ma Thu Thu San since her arrest and concerns for her safety are increasing.

More than 300 union members and activists have been arrested in the two years since the military coup. The military junta in Myanmar has banned nearly all unions, effectively wiping out the fundamental right of freedom of association.

However, to counter that image, the junta has registered some labour organizations as unions, a process supported by the EU MADE in Myanmar project.

The project, funded by the EU and European-based garment brands, claims to establish social dialogue at factory level in the garment industry but has been condemned as a whitewash by independent trade unions and labour organisations in Myanmar.

“The military getting involved in a strike and workers being arrested yet again show that freedom of association is impossible in Myanmar. The EU should without hesitation put an end to the MADE in Myanmar project, which only serves to legitimize the country’s illegitimate government,”

says Atle Høie, IndustriALL general secretary.

“The fired workers must immediately be reinstated and not be subjected to threats or attacks by the employer, the police or military troops. Ma Thu Thu San must be safely returned home with immediate effect.”

Union protests in Casablanca disrupted by security forces

Khalid al-Huwair al-Alami, Deputy general secretary of CDT, said

“the march is legitimate due to the reality of the situation in Morocco. The march is legal because the right to demonstrate, protest is guaranteed by international conventions and the constitution.”

Members and leaders of the CDT refused to stop the march, as it is a violation of the constitution. They stated that the demonstration is peaceful, and it is the workers' right to reject government policies and the worsening socio-economic environment in the country.

Workers expressed their categorical rejection of layoffs, deprivation of their rights, and accumulation of wealth at the expense of the poor. They stressed that the ban would not prevent them from defending the rights of workers and a decent life for the working class.

In a statement issued on 5 June, the CDT’s Executive Bureau expressed that this repression is a serious violation of rights and freedoms and a violation of international conventions, not to mention the constitution. They are calling for respect for trade union rights and for the state to intervene and put an end to the wave of increasing prices of basic materials and fuel, and to protect the purchasing power of citizens.

They also call for increased employment and an end to corruption. They support the implementation of the agreements signed with the government in April 2022. They will continue to mobilise in the face of these challenges.

“We call on the government of Morocco to engage with unions in genuine social dialogue that must result in practical solutions for the shrinking purchasing power of citizens and workers in the country,”

said Atle Høie, IndustriALL general Secreatry.

Iraqi government withdraws fuel increase proposal after workers protest

Protests were organized by an initiative from workers and unions. Workers demand the cancellation of a government proposal to increase the price of a barrel of crude oil.

The Finance Committee in the Iraqi parliament proposed raising the price of a barrel of oil and approving taxes on petroleum products within the country's general financial budget for the years 2023, 2024 and 2025. Protesting workers called on the government to reverse the proposal to increase prices, and not to prejudice their wages and entitlements.

They also called on government to support refinery companies’ development which will allow a reduction in fuel supply. The protesters warned the government against being drawn into the policies of international financial institutions because of their negative repercussions.

The Iraqi Federation of Oil and Petrochemical (IFOU) said in a statement that the increase represents an implementation of the International Monetary Fund’s dominance in order to address the budget imbalance. IFOU criticized the proposal to raise oil prices and adopt taxes on petroleum products. It said that it will lead to corporate losses and to job losses. It will also impact workers’ purchasing power and the increase will lead to an increase production costs.

This will affect companies’ competitiveness, which threatens their sustainability and ability to operate. IFOU also expressed its rejection of all intentions to refer members and trade unionists to investigative committees and to the judiciary to silence their voice.

Hassan Juma, president of IFOU said:

“The workers fought for a national issue of concern to all Iraqis.The protest demonstrations were successful and preoccupied the government as this led them to withdraw the proposal and abolish respective article from the budget on increasing the price of crude oil.”

IndustriALL assistant general secretary Kemal Özkan said:

“IndustriALL Global Union commends workers in Iraq. They took a stand and fought for something that would have an enormous impact on your daily living. We commend you for your courage and determination in this fight.”

Human rights due diligence is key to protecting workers

Trade unions have an important role to play in due diligence, as workers are often vulnerable to exploitation and abuse in various industries and regions.

For global brands and suppliers to practice due diligence there needs to be meaningful mutual engagement and it needs to be conducted in good faith.

In early June, the European Parliament adopted its position on a future EU Directive on human rights and environmental due diligence. The vote of the Parliament’s report on the proposal for a Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive is an important step in putting people and planet before the profits and making all businesses accountable.

Global Framework Agreements (GFAs) are another way to protect the interests of workers across a multinational company’s operations. GFAs are negotiated on a global level between trade unions and a multinational company. They put in place the very best standards of trade union rights, health, safety and environmental practices, and quality of work principles across a company's global operations, regardless of whether those standards exist in an individual country.

By signing a GFA, a multinational company accepts the responsibility to protect and respect fundamental workers’ rights, in particular the right to organize and bargain collectively, and to exercise due diligence concerning the impact of its operations on human rights in its production facilities and along its supply chain. IndustriALL has several existing GFAs with many multinational corporations.

The Japan Council of Metalworkers (JCM) published a guide called Trade unions’ role and responses to human rights due diligence for its affiliates. The union submitted its comment on the guideline to the parliamentary vice-minister of economy, trade and industry (METI), Kazuchika Iwata in June 2022. In a meeting with IndustriALL assistant general secretary Kemal Özkan in September 2022, IndustriALL vice president and JLC president Akira Takakura, said that Japanese unions play a vital role in ensuring that multinational companies respect human rights in its supply chains.

IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie said:

“human rights due diligence must always be an integral part of our work. We need to hold companies accountable for violations, but we also need to put measures in place to make sure that there are no violations. The time when companies could make profit out of the exploitation of the environment and on the back of their and their suppliers’ workers’ fundamental rights all over the world, has to come to an end.”

6 workers killed in Casablanca factory collapse

The accident occurred during ongoing construction work aimed to expand the building by adding four floors. Three of the victims worked for the building contractor and three were from the textile factory.

According to the Syndicat National des Travailleurs du Textile et du Cuir – SNTTC-UMT, the construction did not respect legal standards. SNTTC-UMT insist that the construction company should be held responsible for the accident due to lack of oversight. It is also the responsibility of the officials who granted authorization.

The Syndicat National de Textile Habillements et Cuirs – SNTHC-CDT stated that the factory lacks the minimum conditions of health and safety. The workers had to work despite the presence of a construction barn above the factory. SNTHC-CDT hold the authorities responsible for what happened. They allowed the factory owner to build additional floors in a building containing a factory without taking protective measures.

The SNTHC-CDT calls for the prosecution and accountability of those responsible for the tragedy. The union denounced the absence of oversight on the factory that did not respect health and safety conditions. The SNTHC-CDT has called for a national debate on occupational health and safety that brings together all stakeholders.

“Such a tragic accident was not the first of its kind. It was expected that there would be a reaction from the governments since the incident of the workers who drowned in Tangiers, but things remained the same. Frequent accidents require strict control,” said Al-Arabi Hamouk, the general secretary of SNTTC-UMT

Ahmed Hassoun, general secretary of SNTHC-CDT expressed

“that it has become necessary to structure the sector and insure workers against hazards. Work must be done to review the reality of workers within the textile sector and to guarantee their rights. We call on the government to implement the global Accord agreement ACCORD”.

“This is an unacceptable tragedy that should never have happened. The garment industry must be made safe for the people who contribute to its enormous output. If government, factory owners and brands are really serious about stopping these accidents, we need an Accord program for Morocco. IndustriALL stands in solidarity with the victims and their families,”

said Atle Høie IndustriALL general secretary.