29 October, 2008IMF and Norwegian affiliate Fellesforbundet sign International Framework Agreement with Aker ASA.
NORWAY: Aker ASA, a renowned shipbuilding company, on October 28 signed an International Framework Agreement (IFA) with the International Metalworkers' Federation and its Norwegian affiliate Fellesforbundet for the development of good working relations in companies that are part of Aker.
The agreement reflects the company's "commitment to respect basic human and trade union rights in the community, acknowledging the fundamental principals of human rights as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and the OECD guidelines on Multinational Companies."
The agreement covers provisions on freedom of association and collective bargaining rights, discrimination, forced labour, child labour, health and safety, living wages, employment conditions, working hours, HIV/AIDS, environmental issues and skills training, referencing the standards as established by the core labour conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The agreement relates to all parts of Aker and states that the company will use its influence to secure compliance with the standards set out in the agreement with its subsidiaries and third party business associates, with non-compliance ultimately resulting in potential termination of a contractual relationship.
The signing took place during the Fellesforbundet's executive committee meeting in Oslo on October 28. During the ceremony speeches about the importance of the agreement were given by IMF general secretary Marcello Malentachhi, Fellesforbundet president Arve Bakke, Aker ASA director of communication Geir Arne Drangeid, and the senior shop steward in Aker Atle Tranøy. A report by Fellesforbundet on the signing can be seen in Norwegian here.
Aker was established in 1841 and today has divided its activities into four market sectors: energy resources, energy technologies, maritime technologies, seafood and marine biotechnology. The Aker companies have a total of 27,100 employees on five continents and operating revenues totalling NOK 62 billion (7 billion Euros) in 2007.
A copy of the agreement in English is available on the IMF website. Other languages will be published as they become available.