INDIA: The International Metalworkers' Federation is organising a visit of its Shipbuilding Working Group to shipbreaking sites in India. The group, from IMF-affiliated unions in Denmark, Japan and the Netherlands, along with a member of the IMF secretariat, will undertake a fact-finding mission during the second week of December to Alang and Sosiya, near Bhavnagar, as part of the IMF's campaign to secure better working conditions and trade union rights in the shipbreaking sector.
"Trade union organisation is the key to improved working conditions in the shipbreaking industry," said Marcello Malentacchi, IMF General Secretary. "All those employed in the shipbuilding sector should be organised under the auspices of the metalworking unions in India. The IMF will be examining all possible ways to organise the workers there."