Massive Numsa strike begins in South Africa

“This was not an easy decision, but a painful one,” reads a Numsa statement from the National Executive Committee meeting last week. “It has never been in our agenda to call a strike; this strike has been imposed on us. Ours is to use the strike as part of a tactic to exert organizational pressure on the bosses, to return to the table and present an offer acceptable to our members.”

Numsa declared a dispute at the end of May after two months of negotiations with the employer bodies, under the auspices of the Metal and Engineering Bargaining Council (MEIBC), failed to achieve an agreement. Workers initially demanded a 15 per cent wage increase but had reduced it to 12 per cent when the dispute was declared. The 220,000 Numsa members on strike represent around half of all workers in the sectors.

Numsa is also demanding that the bargaining agreement with MEIBC covers one year and not a three year period as has been the practice in the past. The union wants employers to agree to scrap the use of labour brokers, and remove the short time and layoff clauses from the main agreement.

HIV/AIDS workplace training in Zambia

According to UNAIDS there are over a million people in Zambia living with HIV, with around 13% of adults aged between 15 to 49 infected with HIV/AIDS (2012).

Participants at the workshops learnt the importance of unions in ensuring HIV/AIDS policies are implemented and in making sure that workers receive continuous training and awareness.

On the first day, an all women workshop brought together 20, mostly young, workers from IndustriALL’s four Zambian affiliates: MUZ, NESAWU, NUCIW and NUBEGW.

Day two involved 20 young trade union members, the majority of whom were attending their first ever workshop on HIV/AIDS, said project coordinator, Paule France Ndessomin.

All participants confirmed the existence of HIV/AIDS policies at their workplaces. Some policies were comprehensive, covering the worker’s families, but others were not.

Discussion topics included HIV/AIDS and collective bargaining, trade union involvement in workplace programs, stigma and discrimination against HIV infected workers, and gender-based violence.

Stigma and discrimination are significant barriers to the effective implementation of HIV/AIDS programmes at the workplace. This is partly because workers have not completely grasped the HIV mode of transmission. Women participants were also shy to discuss violence perpetrated against them but agreed it did exist and that cultural beliefs are to be blamed.

Moses Silwamba, a scientist and researcher from ZERPH (Zambia Emory HIV Research Project), discussed basic HIV/AIDS transmission, as well as sexually transmitted infections (STI’s). He urged women to encourage their partners to go for couple counselling, as many married couples are infected with the disease but are reluctant to seek medical help. He advised workers to visit ZERPH and make use of the free services they offer.

Participants were also encouraged to use the International Labour Organization’s Recommendation 200 (ILO R200) on HIV/AIDS as a benchmark for workplace policy. It was emphasized that an effective policy must also be accompanied by the appropriate administrative, human resource and monitoring mechanisms.

The General Secretary of NUCIW, Seth Paraza, urged women and young workers to continue seeking information stressing that HIV/AIDS is still killing workers and community members. Women and young workers have a responsibility, therefore, to be involved in the effective implementation of HIV/AIDS programmes and policies at work.

Patience running out on promised reforms in Swaziland

Such protest action by all the worker representatives is unheard of in case hearings at the International Labour Conference (ILC), which is the highest decision-making body of the International Labour Organization (ILO). As a signatory to ILO Convention 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize, Swaziland was on the list of cases being examined by the ILO’s Committee on the Applications of Standards (CAS). For the past decade the Swazi government has flouted trade union and human rights and evaded interventions by the ILO on the application of Convention 87.

At the tripartite plenary discussion on 6 June 2014, the Swaziland government refused to acknowledge the lack of progress on registration of two labour federations, the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) and the Amalgamated Trade Unions of Swaziland (ATUSWA). The government also denied violations of organizing rights and the harassment of trade union leaders.

Trade union struggles in Swaziland, where IndustriALL Global Union has three affiliates, are linked to those for political democracy. The small southern African country is governed by a monarch that instituted a state of emergency in 1973 and is still in place 41 years later. The abuse of power extends to the police and judiciary, where arrests and trials are used to deal with dissent. Most recently, Thulani Maseko, a well-respected human rights and trade union lawyer, and Nation magazine editor, Bheki Makhubu, were jailed and are being tried for contempt of court for publishing articles raising issue with the judiciary.

With clear cases of repression in Swaziland and blatant violations of trade union and human rights, efforts by the Swazi government to downplay violations during the ILC Committee hearing and claim that sufficient progress had been made sounded absurd. Predictably, a number of African government representatives at the hearing gave their support to the Swazi government and stated, in what appeared to be well-rehearsed lines, that the government had sufficiently demonstrated its full commitment to making the necessary amendments and should be given more time to put legislative measures in place.

The government member of the United States however stated that the failure to address the violations of Convention 87 in Swaziland was a “matter of grave concern”, especially as the country enjoys preferential trade with the US under the US African Growth and Opportunity Act. This was also pressed by the worker member of the US, Ms. Fisher who said that that the May 2014 deadline to amend legislation in Swaziland for continued eligibility for trade benefits had not been respected. The worker member of the UK said that trade agreements with the EU also required that international commitments, including freedom of association, freedom of assembly and free speech, were met and that in recent months the number of arrests of those criticizing the regime had actually increased.

In a rare moment of support at the ILC, several Employer delegates joined the Swaziland employer members to call for urgent compliance with C87 and the immediate registration of TUCOSWA. Employer associations are also affected by government’s decision that there is insufficient legislation in place to register federations.

(Swaziland worker members made very clear the ongoing systematic attacks on workers’ rights and the suppression of trade union activities. These include the repressive tactics of the government against union leaders and those that support the unions, like Maseko, that risk arrest, criminal records and prison in their struggle for rights.)

Three countries, Algeria, Cambodia and Swaziland were on the list of the CAS for discussion on C87. Unfortunately the Committee could not come to Conclusions on 19 cases, including these three, because the Employers group once more refused to recognise that the right to strike forms part of Convention 87.

This impasse means that no firm stand has been taken on Swaziland at the ILC this year, however the draft conclusions indicate all parties are tiring of being strung along by promises for reform by the Swaziland government that remain unfulfilled.

Intensified strike in South Africa’s footwear sector

Last week 70 per cent of workers gave their support for a strike through a ballot. This allowed SACTWU to join another trade union in the sector, the National Union off Leather and Allied Workers, that had already commenced strike action. SACTWU’s members joining takes the the total number of workers on strike to about 8,000.

Workers from the 40 companies that are covered by the bargaining council and some companies outside of the council are demanding a 10 per cent wage increase. Employers are offering 7.75 per cent. Wage increases are due on 1 July 2014.

Unions are due to sit down with employers on 12 June 2014. “Hopefully employers will review their stance tomorrow because there are no winners if it takes too long to resolve, says SACTWU’s National Footwear Sector Co-ordinator, Nazier Armoed. “Both parties are losing, employers and workers but it is also important for workers to win a decent wage increase”.

Organizing efforts in Ethiopia’s textile sector stepped up

Ethiopia has a large and growing textile sector employing about 45,000 workers. Its strategic advantage is its closeness to the European market that provides quick turnaround production times. The Ethiopian government has identified the textile sector as a key priority for economic development and has attracted more than USD3,5 billion in investment in the last three years.

The 43 worker leaders that participated in the workshops at the end of May 2014 came from five factory based unions that employ about 17,000 workers of which just over half are union members. The workshops were held in the capital Addis Ababa and in Mekelle, 800 km north of the capital.

“We need to strive for fully organized workplaces in Ethiopia, with factory based unions this leads to greater unity at the workplace and strengthens the position of workers, while contributing to the organized power in the sector as a whole,” says IndustriALL regional officer Thabo Tshabalala.

Tshabalala and the national organizer of the Ethiopian Textile and Garment Union (ETGU), Ayalew Ahmed facilitated discussions with affiliates to identify problems they face in union building at the factory floor level. Organizing strategies to overcome challenges were shared and confidence was built by discussing how unionized workers could take forward worker’s rights at the shopfloor.

Participants were assisted with developing factory based plans to organize non-unionized workers, including setting goals and objectives in an ambitious recruitment programme. The programme will be evaluated every three months and progress will be reported to the ETGU that committed to providing support to the unions for the initiative.

Workshop on unity building and cooperation

On 27 and 28 May 2014, 24 leaders from the seven IndustriALL Global Union affiliates in Zimbabwe met to discuss unity and cooperation. Participants in the workshop agreed on a three-year strategic plan in the context of the Unity Building project focusing on: building union power; fighting precarious work; defending workers’ rights in Zimbabwe.

The meeting also discussed the deadlock in the ongoing merger talks in the textile sector. Leaders were encouraged to continue the discussion through the national council. For a successful outcome, local affiliates must engage in the process and help the textile unions in finding a common understanding.

IndustriALL solidarity campaign continues for ExCo member Angeline Chitambo’s reinstatement

She updated delegates to the recently held IndustriALL World Energy Conference on her situation. The conference brought together over 250 delegates from energy industry trade unions representing members in 48 countries in Madrid, Spain on 10-11 April, 2014. Delegates were appalled to hear of her continued struggle for justice and reinstatement and unanimously expressed full support and solidarity to her fight.

Angeline was dismissed for allegedly disclosing confidential information at a press conference damaging the image of the company. She was dismissed without a fair hearing, which took place in her absence and in the absence of her legal and union representatives in September 2012. Since then, despite court findings in her favour, the company has refused to reinstate her. Cases continue which appear to be focussed on the payment of damages rather than the reinstatement she demands.

IndustriALL Global Union General Secretary, Jyrki Raina, has again written to the Zimbabwe government calling for her immediate reinstatement:

“It is clear that the case is a blatant attack on an effective trade union leader and an attempt to remove her from her trade union position as well as her employment. As such this situation is in total violation of core ILO Conventions and damaging the international reputation of Zimbabwe.”

The next stage in this long saga will be a further court hearing on 29 May, 2014. IndustriALL Global Union demands that the Ministers of both Labour and of Energy intervene and instruct ZESA to immediately engage with the union in constructive dialogue and to stop the victimization of Chitambo.

We will continue to support ZEWU and Angeline Chitambo until this matter is successfully resolved.

Government support for a living wage in Zambia

The labour minister was addressing delegates at the MUZ Quadrennial Conference that took place from 14 to 16 May 2014. He told the conference that industry was complaining about the new minimum wage which is above the poverty line but he said the government believes this is important for the country. He also assured MUZ of government support in making sure industry is working according the laws of the country.

IndustriALL Regional Secretary Fabian Nkomo said, "The areas of focus of MUZ are in line with key strategic areas of IndustriALL and with the pledged support of government to improve workers livelihoods, the growth of MUZ is eminent".

About 200 delegates from 43 branches of MUZ attended the conference held under the theme “Workers’ Rights First”. The opening session of the conference focused on organising and building unity of workers in the mining industry. A message of condolence was also sent from the conference to the families and relatives of the mine workers who lost their lives in a mine explosion in the Turkish town of Soma.

“We would like to call upon the Turkish Government to ratify and domesticate ILO Convention No. 176 which will promote a healthy and safe working environment in the mining industry in Turkey,” said MUZ President Chishimba Nkole.

Addressing gender based violence in Tanzania

A Women’s Workshop in Arusha brought together 25 women shop stewards from the energy, mining and textile sectors organised by the Tanzania Union of Industrial and Commercial Workers (Tuico) and the Tanzania Mines, Energy, Construction and Allied Workers Union (Tamico). The workshop addressed HIV and AIDS related issues confronted by women at the workplace, most specifically gender based violence.

Sexual harassment and rape were discussed at length and the extent of these issues, in particular for young women from textile factories was uncovered.

“Women were encouraged during the workshop not to accept sexual harassment and rape and report any offence to their trade union representative at the plant should they fear management,” said the HIV and AIDS coordinator, Paule Ndessomin.

Ndessomin and Regional Officer, Thabo Tshabalala visited to A to Z Textile Ltd that employs mostly women workers. The average age of these workers is 23 and they come from villages, brought to work in the factories. They live in hostels within the factory compound. “Beside work, there are no other activities offered to the young workers”, says Ndessomin. “This could contribute to the high pregnancy rate among these women.”

A workshop was also conducted with 33 Masai women, all Tuico members, at the Maserani village to raise awareness on HIV, AIDS and gender-based violence including female genital mutilation.

This was a follow up visit after a workshop last year where Masai women requested training on HIV and AIDS issues. “There were open discussions on the practices of female genital mutilation,” says Ndessomin. “The Masai women complained about some aspects of their culture but agreed that it would take time for these practices and beliefs to disappear.”

PROFILE: Fighting for women in the DRC

Profile

Text: Aisha Bahadur

In 1994, Josée was dismissed from her job as a nurse when requesting extended maternity leave during a difficult pregnancy. After four years at home she approached the union to challenge her unfair dismissal and was reinstated.

I realised that without the union you have no one to fight for you

– Josée

She has continued to spread this simple message to other workers after being elected as a union representative in 1999. In 2003 she was put in charge of women’s issues at CSC on a full-time basis.

I would go around from company to company in all the sectors we cover, share my story and encourage women to join the union.

At every company with trade union membership the CSC organize elections for a women’s committee. The women’s committee’s main purpose is to highlight and combat the problems faced by women in the work place.

There are few formal sector jobs in the DRC, where surprisingly women outnumber men in terms of those with jobs. But these jobs commonly come at a price and it is an established practice that male bosses give jobs to women in exchange for sex. Once in employment sex is again used for job security and to advance, "we call this ‘sofa promotions’ here”, shares Josée. Sexual harassment in the workplace is rife and can occur before and during employment.

Josée says the situation for women in the informal sector is worse;

Without the benefits of health insurance, retirement funds and family allowances, women in the informal economy face many hardships with no social protection.”

They are also frequently harassed to pay ‘taxes’ by various corrupt state agents or have their goods confiscated.

Added to that is a level of violence towards women that is so extreme in conflict areas that the union promotes that women wear female condoms when going about their work. Rape is an everyday reality and so insurmountable to prevent at a systemic level that the best that can be offered is to ensure that there is protection in place.

Josée explains,

when a woman is taken forcefully at least she may be spared sexually transmitted diseases.

These conflict areas are situated around mineral extraction, where small scale mining can be found. They are characterized by overcrowding as people seek out meagre opportunities to earn what they can from the demand for minerals which eventually find their way to multinational companies and the global market. Women come to sell things to the miners like food. What can be taken from them forcefully is sometimes sold willingly.

Women engage in prostitution in these areas as a way to survive or supplement what they earn from the goods that they are able to sell,

– Josée

Josée speaks of a project that the CSC has had for the last two years reaching out to women in conflict areas. But she acknowledges that little can be achieved without the political will on the part of government to address the underlying issues.

"It can be challenging, stressful and frustrating but it is a passionate job for me knowing I am helping other women,… Slowly we are getting there, women are getting to know their rights, participating more in the union and I am proud to be part of positive change.”

– Josée

But the severity of the situation created by conflict is a huge obstacle to meaningful progress.

These minerals are not going anywhere. Multinationals could invest properly, create jobs and stability,

rationalises Josée,

What we need is peace, when there is no peace, nothing can be achieved. This is my dream for the DRC, that we may know peace.