21 October, 2013Members of IndustriALL Global Union affiliate, the Fédération des Syndicats des Travailleurs de l’Energie et des Mines (FISEMA), at Rio Tinto operations at Fort-Dauphin distributed flyers on 7 October to mark the World Day for Decent Work and their current struggle concerning the settlement of the mass dismissals in the plant.
No fair settlement has been reached for 300 dismissed workers after the sudden termination, by Rio Tinto in Madagascar, of the contract with a subcontractor last July. As a matter of solidarity for these precarious workers, and following the letter IndustriALL sent to Sam Walsh on this issue on 20 August, IndustriALL Global Union has written another protest letter to Sam Walsh, CEO of Rio Tinto, on the occasion of the World Decent Work Day on 7 October.
IndustriALL expressed serious concerns over the mass dismissal at Rio Tinto operation in Madagascar at QMM and the impact of this action on the workers and the community.
On behalf of IndustriALL Global Union and its Rio Tinto Global Union Network, I urge you as the Chief Executive Officer to enter into a meaningful and genuine dialogue with the trade unions and government authorities to address the dreadful situation of the dismissed workers, and to comply with both national labour laws and international labour standards.
said Jyrki Raina, IndustriALL Global Union General Secretary.
In July 2013, QMM ended its contract with the security company OMEGA Risk Solutions. QMM opted instead to hire two cheaper companies, naming cuts in operation costs as the reason for terminating the contract. Rio Tinto’s termination of OMEGA Risk Solutions’ contract resulted in the collective dismissal of 300 workers, terminated with only one month’s notice. IndustriALL Global Union’s affiliate, FISEMA, tried, but with no success, to engage in social dialogue with QMM to deal with the disregard for social planning commitments for the dismissed workers.
For more on this case see full article here