Strengthening union organizing as Ethiopia industrializes

The latest to be opened is the Chinese-built Adama Industrial Park, about 74km from Addis Ababa, where 25,000 workers will be employed. Hawassa will employ 60,000 while other parks that will cater for tens of thousands of workers include Bole Lemi and Kombolcha.

A workshop on 28 and 29 July 2018 at Adama, organized by IndustriALL Global Union affiliate, the Industrial Federation of Textile, Leather and Garment Workers Union (IFTLGWU) with support from FNV Mondiaal, discussed how unions could be strengthened to demand their rights to organize as protected in the country’s constitution and the labour laws. According to the IFTLGWU, there are cases in which unions are denied access to some of the industrial parks.

On collective bargaining, the workshop, which had participants from 11 textile and garment factories, discussed minimum labour standards as prescribed in the laws and what should be included in a collective bargaining agreement. Collective bargaining structures should also be set up shortly after the setting up of a base union.

Highlights included avoiding mistakes as the agreement is a legal document that is binding on the union and the employer. This means that if there are errors they must be corrected immediately. Unions also had to ensure that the employer complied with the agreement. When bargaining, workers should do so collectively to avoid being divided by the employer.

Hunde Gudeta, the facilitator of the workshop from the Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions, emphasized the importance of addressing, through collective bargaining, issues not directly covered by the laws but key to the agreement.

Other matters raised were on wage discrimination in which foreign workers were paid more than local workers for the same work. Further, workers wanted an improvement in their working conditions including provision of transport by the employer.

Says Christina Hajagos-Clausen, IndustriALL director for the textile and garment industry:

“Workers’ rights to organize are important to union building in Ethiopia, and the focus on collective bargaining will assist the unions’ demands for better working conditions and living wages.”

Ethiopia’s industrialization strategy is aimed at transforming the country from an agricultural base to an industrial one through the textile and garment sector among other industries.

Mozambique: Union demands better wage deal from Sasol

At a meeting in Temane, a natural gas exploration and production plant with a workforce of 143, workers are demanding above-inflation wage increases and collective agreements extended from the current one year to two years.

Workers also want to be represented by a union official during collective bargaining instead of a shop steward, as it is common in these meetings that management sends human resources experts and lawyers to negotiations. Further, they want the union’s capacity on collective bargaining to be improved.

The workers are organized by IndustriALL affiliate in Mozambique, SINTIQUIAF, say relations between the union and the company are not cordial, and therefore not conducive to fair bargaining.

SINTIQUIAF members at Sasol Temane are also calling for a better deal and feel short-changed after getting only a 13 per cent increase, which is below the current inflation rate of 21 per cent. .

When a rotation allowance, which was part of their salaries, was stopped, workers lost earnings. They hope that in the future, revisions of job categories should lead to promotions. The stand-by watch system also disadvantages them as stand-by watchers earn more than the person performing the job.

Workers are further calling for an improved housing system. Although some workers are accommodated in a suitable housing facility, others live too close to the site which can be a serious health risk due to gas emissions from production activities.

As part of collaboration among IndustriALL affiliates in Sub Saharan Africa, the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union, shared experiences on the bargaining structures and formats in the petroleum sector in South Africa from which lessons could be drawn for Mozambique.

Shop stewards were advised to build their negotiations capacity by getting more information from the company, government institutions on other wage offers and ensuring that workers were united and followed the collective bargaining process.

Jessica Gune, general secretary of SINTIQUIAF says:

While we appreciate that Sasol takes care of workers especially on health and safety, we would want the same efforts to be made towards improving collective bargaining and paying better wages. Sasol must also improve its relations with the union.

Mozambique is one of the emerging countries in the oil and gas sector. According to its national development strategy natural resources should be used for economic development and to end poverty.

Zimbabwe: Unions denounce human rights violations in post-election violence

Zimbabweans went to the polls with the hope of turning things around from decades-long political and economic crises. Reasonably so, because unemployment is over 90 per cent, factories have closed, and wage theft is common.

Cash shortages, limited access to clean water, power outages and a crumbling infrastructure have led to mass migration of millions while the majority eke a living in the informal sector. Only six percent of the working population has formal jobs.

With the military-assisted removal of Robert Mugabe, the country’s ruler for 38 years, so much was expected in the 30 July elections for local government, parliament and the president. The ruling Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU PF) party won over two thirds of the parliamentary seats with the MDC Alliance (MDCA), a smaller party and an independent candidate getting the remainder.

However, the delays in announcing the presidential ballot led to protests on 1 August in Harare by the opposition which alleged that the results were being “stolen”. To disperse the protestors who marched to the vote counting centre, the police came first, but when the army appeared on the scene — shooting indiscriminately in crowded streets with live bullets — six people were killed, and dozens injured. During the mayhem shots were fired at the offices of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions.

Sylvia Maphosa was on her way home from work when she was shot in the back and killed in Harare when soldiers fired live bullets to disperse protesters demanding the release of presidential poll results.

A member of IndustriALL affiliate, the Zimbabwe Energy Workers Union (ZEWU), Maphosa worked at the Zimbabwe National Water Authority.

In its condolence message ZEWU said:

Maphosa was a staunch member of the union who joined ZEWU in 2003 and remained loyal to the organization until her untimely death which shocked everyone who knew her as a humble character.
The union therefore calls for a thorough investigation into the matter to ensure that those responsible for committing this heinous act are brought to book urgently and face the full wrath of the law.

Human Rights Watch has reported beatings and intimidation of opposition supporters by “security forces and unidentified gunmen” in the townships of Harare where most workers live.

The army’s heavy-handedness has been condemned by the UN which is calling for “maximum restraint.” Further, the EU, Canada, Switzerland and the United States of America deplored “the eruption of violence, and occurrence of serious human rights violations.”

Wiseman Garira, chairperson of the Zimbabwe IndustriALL Council representing eight affiliates in the garment and textile, engineering, chemical and plastics, energy, leather and shoe, metal and mining sectors denounced the way in which the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission managed the polls. For instance, the commission failed to supply the voters roll to opposition parties on time.

Even the results are “questionable and took longer than is necessary” Garira added.

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

The right to protest is guaranteed in Zimbabwe’s Constitution. In the event of violent protests, it’s the responsibility of the police to maintain law and order, but not the army. Therefore, the use of live bullets against fleeing civilians is deplorable.

BRICS unions discuss decent work and sustainable development

At a meeting in Durban 27-29 July, the BTUF adopted an African developmental agenda with a focus on decent work and sustainable development. The meeting, which took place at the same time as the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, called for social justice. Unions should also be included in the BRICS summit to strengthen collective power and building solidarity networks and activism in the global South.

However, BTUF raised concerns over precarious work and on the need for unions to develop a strategic response and multinational corporations were asked should comply with labour laws.

The issues discussed included the future of work, workers’ rights, universal health, investments that boost manufacturing, industrialization, and sustainability. Further, job creation was identified as key for young people as well as for attaining Sustainable Development Goals. Closing the gender gap in wages would improve women’s access to employment, and equal pay for work of equal value should be promoted.

For example, living wages are important in countering working poverty amongst the youth in Sub Saharan Africa, which was 70 per cent in 2016. Additionally, high youth unemployment works against benefiting from the demographic dividend which will happen in 2030 according to UNICEF’s Generation 2030 Africa 2.0 report. When this occurs, there will be more working-age young adults as compared to the elderly. However, without jobs there will be no benefit as the youth will be economically inactive.

BTUF goals for 2018 are investment in people, social and economic infrastructure and environmental responsibility. Building workers skills, innovation and developmental ICT tools key to Industry 4.0 with decent work, collective bargaining and social protection important. Full employment and job creation and trade union participation and effective social dialogue are some of the goals. Other goals promote democratic, ethical and responsive governance in public and private institutions, and inclusive international multilateral systems.

BTUF says it is up to the task “on many issues affecting workers, communities, developing countries, peace and security, food production, unemployment, international labour standards and workers’ rights.”

Says Paule-France, IndustriALL regional secretary for Sub Saharan Africa:

“The BTUF is a crucial reminder that international trade cannot exist without engaging unions. Without the watchful eyes of unions, multinational companies will ignore workers’ and human rights, and therefore we must be vigilant.”

Some IndustriALL Global Union affiliates belong to federations that are part of BTUF.

South Africa: Mine responsibly and improve working conditions, recommends report

Instead, sad realities are common in the mines — poor working conditions, destruction of the environment, and poverty and disease in mine affected communities. How then can mining companies meet the expectations of society which sees mineral resources as being key drivers of national development? Can the companies be made responsible on economic, environmental, social and governance issues? What accountability mechanisms can be used to achieve this?

These are some of the questions and issues that over 50 delegates from Ghana, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Tanzania, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe grappled with at a meeting on 25-26 July in Johannesburg, to discuss the main findings of the Responsible Mining Index (RMI) 2018 assessment. The delegates were drawn from community-based organizations, human rights organizations, mine affected communities, non-governmental organizations, and universities. Trade unions, represented by IndustriALL Global Union affiliates, the National Union of Mineworkers and the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, said it is important to collaborate with civil society actors on common issues facing workers and communities.

The RMI assessed 30 mining companies using six thematic areas which are economic development, business conduct, lifecycle management, community wellbeing, working conditions and environmental responsibility. The assessment included 127 mining sites.

Working conditions is the worst performing thematic area. The RMI found out that despite mining companies paying attention and expressing commitment to health and safety, 331 fatalities were reported in 2015 and 2016. Further, the mining companies are weak on addressing living wages, worker grievances and in stopping discrimination in the mines. However, notable gains are on forced and child labour.

The meeting recommended that the RMI, which promotes open access to information through sharing its data publicly, should work with other organizations doing similar work including the Alternative Mining Indaba and the African Mining Vision. A strategy that the RMI should continue to use is the publicizing of poor performance. This puts pressure on companies as shareholders asked why this is the case. Further, the RMI which questions the inconsistencies in reporting by mining companies, can complement other mechanisms.

Says Glen Mpufane, IndustriALL director for mining:

“By validating what we know, the RMI is a useful tool for building bridges and finding common spaces for dialogue and collaboration between mine affected communities, civil society and unions. We want mining companies to abandon rhetoric and commit to improving health and safety.”

South Africa: union in historic court victory against precarious work

This is a major victory for workers after years of a bitter union campaign against labour brokering. The victory is the result of a relentless campaign by the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), who took the issue to the courts.

After losing the case in the Labour Court of Appeals, labour broking company, Assign Services, took the matter to the Constitutional Court where the court held on 26 July that the worker’s employer is where they perform their duties, and not with the labour broker who placed them. What the court ruling means for temporary workers is that those earning $15,500 per annum or less become permanent after three months as they will be employed by the company where are working.

Labour broking is an outsourcing practice that involves a company hiring labour on behalf of “client” companies. The outsourcing company then makes a profit by paying low wages and charging high fees to the “client” companies. IndustriALL Global Union affiliate, NUMSA, condemned this practice and for many years, with other unions, argued that the client companies should hire the workers directly instead of using this exploitative system where the workers had no benefits including pensions and medical insurance.

Under broking arrangements, the workers also do not have job security as they are on short contracts that can be terminated at any time. The labour brokers have also been refusing to provide any benefits saying they were not the employers, yet they were the ones who provided contracts.

Says Irvin Jim, NUMSA general secretary in a statement:

“Our experience with labour brokers is that they are extremely abusive and expose workers to low wages and terrible working conditions. We hope this decision will be the death knell of the entire industry and we will continue to fight for a total ban of labour brokers.”

Paule-France Ndessomin, IndustriALL regional secretary for Sub Saharan Africa welcomed the court ruling:

“This is a victory for thousands of workers who are employed by labour brokers. We applaud the court decision for providing a legal way to protect workers’ rights to permanent jobs. Labour brokers cannot continue to make profits from the precarious conditions of workers.”

Benin unions agree to cooperate

IndustriALL Global Union affiliates, FENOTHAC and FESYNEME, who organize in the garment and textile, and energy and mining sectors respectively, met in Cotonou as part of a programme by IndustriALL to build union strength in the country.

They agreed that the right to strike must be defended in all sectors, and that the unions will campaign against the government’s intention to ban the right to strike in oil and gas and electricity, which it says are essential services. Further, workers' participation in union activities should be increased, a national council formed, joint activities carried out, and communications improved.

The garment and textile sector has been in decline with most former factory workers now employed in the informal sector, where more than 90 per cent of the workers in Benin eke out a living. So, most of the FENOTHAC members are in the small-scale traditional tailoring sector. On the other hand, mining is picking up and exports for gems and precious stones have begun.

Most petroleum and energy workers work in the distribution of petroleum products and electricity, and work for the state-owned SONACOP which employs 995 workers. However, 700 of the workers are employed under precarious conditions of low pay and no benefits. Permanent workers earn 300,000 CFA ($532) as compared to contract workers who earn 44,000 CFA ($78).

Charles Kumbi, IndustriALL project officer for Sub Saharan Africa, who was at the meeting said:

“We welcome collaboration amongst affiliates because it builds union strength, and also support union joint actions aimed at improving working conditions and ending precarious work.”

Benin is amongst the top cotton producers in Africa, with the crop’s exports contributing up to 40 per cent of foreign exchange receipts, and 12 per cent of GDP. Additionally, 60 per cent of the national fabric is made from the local cotton. With over 300,000 cotton producers supporting over two million people, cotton has the potential to reduce the high levels of poverty. For instance, if the cotton-to-clothes supply chain is promoted through government policies this can lead to investments in textile and garment factories with potential to create thousands of jobs and spur industrialization.

South Africa: Six workers die in underground fire at copper mine

On 15 July, when the mine was supposed to be on shut down, management sent 200 workers underground to increase production. According to IndustriALL Global Union affiliate, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), the fire could have been caused by high underground temperatures. Workers say switching off the fire suppression system, including the water supply, because of the shutdown, is what made the fire difficult to control.

The conveyor belt is also suspected to have been sub-standard. Regulations stipulate that a conveyor belt should be fire resistant and self-extinguishing which was not the case at Palabora.

For these reasons, the union wants the management “to tell the truth” on the cause of the fire, and why workers were exposed to such dangerous working conditions.

The NUM is also calling upon the department of mineral resources to investigate the incident and play its oversight role to ensure that the mining company complies with mining health and safety regulations. According to the Mines Health and Safety Act the employer must ensure that the mine provide “conditions for safe operation and a healthy working environment” and this applies to the mine’s construction activities and equipment as well. Failure to do so can result in the employer being charged of “negligent failure” for not providing a safe working environment for the workers.

Kemal Özkan, IndustriALL assistant general secretary said:

“It’s unacceptable for mining companies to be negligent on health and safety issues especially when workers continue to die from avoidable mine accidents. Workers’ rights to life must be respected and cannot be traded at whatever cost.”

Minister of mineral resources Gwede Mantashe said in a statement:

“It is unfortunate that, as a country we have lost so many lives in this disaster. These deaths add to an already high number of lost lives in the industry since the beginning of the year.”

Since January 55 mineworkers have been killed in mine accidents. With the increasing deaths and injuries, the Mining Health and Safety Council’s goal of achieving “zero harm” is becoming elusive.

South Africa: Footwear strike for a living wage enters second week

IndustriALL Global Union affiliate, the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers Union (SACTWU) and the National Union of Leather and Allied Workers, who organize the 10,000-plus workers in the sector, called for the national strike to demand living wages.

Instead of engaging with the unions, some employers are resorting to intimidation which the unions have rejected as “illegal, provocative and not conducive to the promotion of sound industrial relations”. This came after Allie Kramer, a chargehand at Bagshaw Footwear factory in Port Elizabeth, fired live ammunition at close range to where the striking workers were gathered. The unions have since called for his suspension and sanction thorough disciplinary action for putting the lives of workers in “serious danger”.

Christina Hajagos-Clausen, IndustriALL director for the textile and garment industry said:

“We support the workers’ demands for living wages and for employers to consider the increasing cost of living that is eroding workers incomes. Labour peace and social dialogue will not be possible if the employer opts for intimidation. We strongly condemn the use of guns to intimidate workers.”

Clothing, textile, footwear and leather are a labour absorbing sector which employs more workers than any other manufacturing sector in South Africa. According to SACTWU, the sector makes an important contribution by reducing unemployment and poverty as well as providing jobs mainly to women who make up about 82 per cent of the workforce. The women are employed especially in small towns where there are fewer jobs thus promoting gender equity. Therefore, living wages will make a difference to workers and their families.

Upskilling and further training of workers is important for the sector. However, SACTWU, says the sector faces threats from customs fraud in which duty for imported goods is avoided and evaded when goods are imported through a third country among other illegal schemes sometimes even with the involvement of government officials. The goods are then smuggled into the country and sold at low cost undercutting local factories and threatening jobs.

The sector also suffered from global competition which has seen local production being displaced by imports. However, the government-supported Clothing and Textile Competitive Programme boosted the sector and brought some stability.

Norwegian oil company to collaborate with Ghanaian unions

Aker Energy, which has vast experience from the Norwegian continental shelf, will work closely with unions on defining the labour requirements with sub-contractors and along the value chain. Further, it will prioritise the employment of Ghanaian workers, fair working conditions, and sourcing of inputs locally.

At a recent meeting in Accra, Aker Energy, which has signed a global framework agreement (GFA) with IndustriALL Global Union, said it will extend the agreement to its Ghana operations when production starts in 2021. The company, which has an agreement with the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) that reviews investment conditions and licencing, wants to work with Ghanaian unions in similar ways to how it works with unions in Norway.

The collaboration will be supported by Industri Energi, an IndustriALL Global Union affiliate in Norway, which will provide training of shop stewards from its sister affiliate, the Ghana Transport and Chemicals Workers Union (GTPCWU). The support will include monitoring and reporting on the GFA as well as exchange visits and the forming of solidarity networks between oil and gas workers in Ghana and Norway.

Tendai Makanza, IndustriALL regional officer for Sub Saharan Africa said:

The meeting laid a solid foundation for collaboration between IndustriALL and Aker Energy. Further, the solidarity and support between GTPCWU and Industri Energi is an important model on how IndustriALL affiliates can work together globally by using GFAs as a tool for building strong unions and union-to-union solidarity.

The Ghana oil and gas industry is still in infancy, having only started production in 2010 at the Jubilee fields with reserve estimates of up to one billion barrels. According to Aker Energy, the Tano Cape can produce an estimated 550 million barrels of Brent Crude and has potential for a further 400 million barrels. The oil fields will also produce at a break-even price of US$35. Currently Brent Crude is selling at $74.24 per barrel.