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<ol><li><strong>Admission</strong> <ol type="A"><li>Admission of a metalworkers' union to the IMF is acted upon based on a written application.</li><li>Such an application must contain the name of the applicant, number and nature of membership seeking application.</li><li>Applicants shall express their willingness to abide by all rules and policies of the Federation.</li><li>If an applicant is from a country where one or more IMF affiliates exist, the General Secretary must inform the affiliates about the application and request for their comments concerning the application.</li><li>Requests for affiliation, together with all relevant accompanying documents must be submitted with a recommendation by the Secretariat to the Executive Committee.</li><li>Admission requires a unanimous decision by the Executive Committee.</li><li>If objections are raised by any Executive Committee member the first time an affiliation is requested, the affiliation will be referred to the IMF Secretariat for response to the specific objection(s).</li><li>The affiliation request concerned will then be reconsidered by the Executive Committee.</li><li>If unanimous decision is not reached by the Executive  Committee at this time, the affiliation request will then be forwarded to the next meeting of the Central Committee, which  in turn will decide by a majority vote.</li><li>Affiliation of a new union is effective when the subscription has been paid in accordance with the Rules.</li></ol></li><li><strong>Suspension and Expulsion</strong> <ol type="A"><li>Expulsion from the Federation shall take place on the decision of the Central Committee under the following conditions: <ol type="i"><li>Affiliate acts against the interest of the IMF, and/or</li><li>Affiliate is in arrears with two annual subscriptions, which are not paid after notices have been given.</li></ol></li><li>The Executive Committee is authorised to suspend the affiliation<strong><em> </em></strong>of any union prior to the Central Committee.</li><li>An appeal against the decision of expulsion can be made at the succeeding IMF Congress.</li></ol></li><li><strong>Resignation</strong> <ol type="A"><li>An affiliate may resign by giving written notice to the General Secretary six months before the end of the calendar year.</li></ol></li></ol>

ARTICLE 1 - PURPOSE OF THE FEDERATION

ARTICLE 2 - MISSION OF THE FEDERATION

ARTICLE 3 - STRUCTURE OF THE FEDERATION

ARTICLE 4 -- EXECUTING BODIES OF THE FEDERATION

ARTICLE 5 - DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT

ARTICLE 6 - NATIONAL SECTIONS AND COMMITTEES

ARTICLE 7 - ADMISSION

ARTICLE 8 - FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

ARTICLE 9 - SUBSCRIPTIONS IN ARREARS AND EXONERATIONS

ARTICLE 10 - REVISION OF RULES

ARTICLE 11 - IMF HEADQUARTERS

ARTICLE 7 - ADMISSION, RESIGNATION AND EXPULSION

<ol><li><strong>Federation's Secretariat</strong> <ol type="A"><li>The Secretariat shall be composed of the General Secretary, the Assistant General Secretaries, departmental heads, representatives of regional and project offices, and other staff engaged by the General Secretary.</li><li>The General Secretary, in consultation with the President and the Finance Committee and subject to approval by the Executive Committee, shall establish working conditions through negotiations with the staff.</li></ol></li><li><strong>Industrial and Organisational Departments</strong> <ol type="A"><li>In order to promote the interests of workers in specific sectors, those who work for various multinational companies and those for specific groups of workers, the Central Committee shall have the authority to create Industrial and Organisational Departments.</li><li>The Industrial and Organisational Departments develop, coordinate and assist in implementing activities with affiliates related to the mission of the Federation and its Action Programme. The President of each Industrial and Organisational Department, elected by the Central Committee, shall work with the Executive Committee and respective departmental head at the Secretariat to carry out these duties.</li></ol></li><li><strong>Regional Structures</strong> <ol type="A"><li>A regional structure can be established where appropriate in order to discuss and act on matters specific to a region and to assist in the implementation of the activities related to the IMF Action Programme decided by the Executive Committee.</li><li>The regional structures function within the policy guidelines decided by the IMF governing bodies.</li></ol></li></ol>

<ol type="A"><li>The Finance Committee shall be composed of six (6) members of the Executive Committee plus the President, the Vice President<em> </em>and the General Secretary.</li><li>The Finance Committee members shall designate in writing to the General Secretary their substitutes within 60 days after the conclusion of the Congress. The substitutes are to be confirmed by the Executive Committee. If a Finance Committee member is unable to attend a meeting, the officially designated substitute shall attend the meeting.</li><li>Two members of the Auditing Committee shall attend the Finance Committee meetings as observers.</li><li>The Finance Committee shall discuss and make recommendations to the Executive Committee on the following: <ol type="i"><li>Long-term financial planning.</li><li>Analysis of IMF income needs.</li><li>Review annual budgets.</li><li>Establish terms of reference for collective bargaining negotiations with staff in Geneva.</li></ol></li><li>The Finance Committee shall meet as often as needed, but at least once a year.</li></ol>

5.     The Finance Committee

<ol type="A"><li>The Congress shall elect from among its ranks twenty five members, of whom a minimum of six are to be women, who, together with the President of the Federation, shall constitute the Executive Committee, for the purpose of assisting the Federation's Secretariat in its work and making decisions between meetings of the Congress. <br /><br /><br />Seats shall be distributed as follows: <br />Africa: 4  representatives, including at least 1 woman; <br />Asia &amp; the Pacific: 4 representatives, including at least 1 woman; <br />Latin America &amp; Caribbean: 4  representatives, including at least 1 woman; <br />North America: 4  representatives, including at least 1 woman; <br />Western Europe: 6  representatives, including at least 1 woman; and <br />Central &amp; Eastern Europe: 3 representatives, including at least 1 woman. <br />However, should vacancies on the Executive Committee occur between Congresses, the Central Committee retains its authority to elect new members.</li><li>If an Executive Committee member is unable to attend a meeting, the substitute designated by the Executive Committee member shall attend the meeting. The Executive Committee members shall designate in writing to the General Secretary their substitutes within 60 days after the conclusion of the Congress.  The substitutes are to be confirmed by the Executive Committee.</li><li>The Executive Committee shall determine its own rules. In doing so, the Executive Committee may hold its meetings and conduct its business by utilising new technologies.</li><li>The Executive Committee has the authority to establish special committees for specific work on areas of important concern.</li><li>The Vice President shall  conduct proceedings in the President's absence.</li><li>Presidents of Industrial and Organisational Departments shall participate in Executive Committee meetings as observers.</li><li>The Executive Committee shall appoint a certified public accountant to audit the books and accounts of the Federation.</li><li>The Executive Committee shall meet at least twice a year and, subject to the requirement to act consistently with the decisions of Congress and the Central Committee, is responsible for all policies and activities between meetings of the Central Committee.</li><li>The General Secretary and the Assistant General Secretaries shall take part in meetings in a consultative capacity.</li><li>The salaries of the General Secretary, the Assistant General Secretaries, the Department Heads and the Representatives of the Regional &amp; Project Offices, as well as their conditions of employment shall be determined by the Executive Committee as proposed by the President.</li></ol>

4.     The Executive Committee

<ol type="A"><li><div>The Central Committee is composed of the delegates of affiliated organisations which have fulfilled their obligations to the IMF.</div></li><li><div>The President, the Vice President, the General Secretary and the Assistant General Secretaries of the Federation shall be present at all Central Committee meetings.</div></li><li><div>The Central Committee shall hold an ordinary meeting at least every other year and is responsible for policies and activities of the Federation between Congresses.</div></li><li><div>The President and the General Secretary are authorised, with the approval of the majority of the Executive Committee members, to convene special meetings of the Central Committee.</div></li><li><div>The Central Committee has the authority to elect the President, the General Secretary, the Vice President or Assistant General Secretaries of the Federation in case of a vacancy between Congresses.  The Central Committee has also the authority to replace Executive Committee members in case of vacancies between Congresses. The same applies to the Auditing Committee.</div></li><li><div>The Central Committee has the authority to elect the Presidents of Industrial and Organisational Departments.</div></li><li><div>The Central Committee shall determine its agenda and programme.</div></li><li><div>The Central Committee is entitled to raise subscriptions between the Congresses (see Article 8.6.).</div></li><li><div>The Central Committee approves the annual accounts reviewed by the Auditing Committee (see Article 3.6.C.) and discharges the General Secretary and the Executive Committee of any further responsibility.</div></li><li><div>To ensure orderly preparation for the work of Congresses, the Central Committee is empowered to set up<strong> </strong>such<strong><em> </em></strong>committees<strong> </strong>as Rules, Resolutions and Credentials.  In the composition of these committees, fair representation of gender<em>, </em>membership and the various continents in the Federation shall be taken into account.  Final confirmation rests with Congress.</div></li><li><div>The Central Committee shall determine guidelines for establishing and for the operation of regional groupings and regional offices for the IMF.</div></li><li><div>The travelling and delegation expenses of delegates to the Central Committee are to be borne by the respective organisations. Any affiliated organisation requiring financial assistance for its participation should in advance make arrangements with the General Secretary.</div></li><li><div>The Central Committee defines the duties and powers of World Councils and working groups.</div></li><li><div>For voting in the Central Committee, Article 3.2. I. and J. of the Rules apply.</div></li></ol>

3.     The Central Committee

<ol type="A"><li><div>The highest authority of the Federation is the Congress.</div></li><li><div>The Congress takes place as often as seems advisable, but at least every four years, and is convened by the General Secretary on the decision of the Central Committee.</div></li><li><div>The place, date, and agenda are determined by the Central Committee.</div></li><li><div>Notification of the convening of Congress must be given to affiliates at least four months beforehand.</div></li><li><div>The Congress is composed of representatives of the national organisations affiliated with the Federation.</div></li><li><div>Each affiliated organisation shall determine the number of representatives at the Congress and shall bear their expenses. Affiliated organisations requiring financial assistance to secure participation should make arrangements with the General Secretary well in advance of Congress.</div></li><li><div>A delegate may also represent several of the organisations of his or her country. </div></li><li><div>Such authority shall be in writing to the General Secretary signed by the Principal Officer of the affiliate delegating the representation.</div></li><li><div>Each affiliated organisation, which has fulfilled its financial obligations to the IMF, has the right to vote at the Congress.</div></li><li><div>For the first 200,000 members, affiliates have voting rights according to their membership.  For membership above 200,000, voting rights are in proportion with the subscriptions ratio paid under Article 7.</div></li><li><div>The Congress shall review reports, motions and resolutions offered by affiliates and the Executive Committee.</div></li><li><div>All reports and motions for the Congress must be received by the General Secretary three months before the opening of Congress<em>.</em></div></li><li><div>The General Secretary must notify all affiliated organisations of the Federation of the motions, allowing enough time for them to be brought to the notice of their members before the Congress meets.</div></li><li><div>Reports, motions and resolutions of the Congress are to be adopted by a simple majority of the eligible votes, while alterations of the Rules must require a two-thirds majority of the eligible votes.</div></li><li><div>Each regular Congress shall elect by simple majority of eligible votes<em> </em>the President of the Federation who holds an elected position within his or her organisation.</div></li><li><div>Each regular Congress shall also elect by simple majority of eligible votes the General Secretary of the Federation.</div></li><li><div>Each regular Congress shall also elect by simple majority of eligible votes the Vice President of the Federation who holds an elected position within his or her organisation.</div></li><li><div>Each regular Congress shall also elect with simple majority of eligible votes one or more Assistant General Secretaries of the Federation.</div></li><li><div>Each regular Congress shall also elect by simple majority of eligible votes<em> </em>the Executive Committee members.</div></li><li><div>Each regular Congress shall also elect by simple majority of eligible votes<em> </em>the Auditing Committee members.</div></li><li><div>The Congress determines its own standing orders.</div></li></ol>

2.     The Congress

<ol><li><strong>Overall Structure<br /><br /></strong>The official structure of the International Metalworkers' Federation consists of: <ol type="A"><li><a href="../index.cfm?c=20022&amp;l=2">the Congress</a></li><li><a href="../index.cfm?c=20023&amp;l=2">the Central Committee</a>,</li><li><a href="../index.cfm?c=20024&amp;l=2">the Executive Committee</a>,</li><li><a href="../index.cfm?c=20025&amp;l=2">the Finance Committee</a>,</li><li><a href="../index.cfm?c=20026&amp;l=2">the Auditing Committee</a>. </li></ol></li></ol>

<ol><li>In order to achieve these objectives, the IMF works to build a strong international trade union movement capable of effectively representing and promoting workers' interests, in the face of an ever-expanding global economy -- a global economy that has yet to embrace, let alone recognise, adopt and enforce workers' rights.</li><li>The IMF affirms<em> </em>that only through trade unions and the practice of collective bargaining the goals of attaining social security and constant progress for workers can be achieved. The IMF therefore fights for all workers in their desire for freedom of association to form their own trade unions, the right to collective bargaining, the right to enter into collective agreements and the right to strike to achieve their demands.</li><li>The IMF also supports all its affiliated unions, particularly in developing countries, in their efforts to achieve higher living standards for workers and to promote democratic, economic and social development.</li><li>The IMF also fights for all other related internationally recognised labour standards, such as the right to a livable wage, safe and healthy working conditions, prohibitions against discrimination, and prohibitions against child labour or compulsory forced labour.</li><li>The IMF stands ready to make common cause with other independent, autonomous, and democratic trade union organisations, notably the International Trade Union Confederation and other Global Union Federations in pursuing international trade union objectives. It seeks to work with non-governmental organisations which share a commitment to promote trade union and other human rights.</li><li>Specific IMF activities which support these objectives include: <ol type="A"><li>Supporting the organisational efforts of metalworkers everywhere, particularly in developing countries and in all countries where freedom of association and the existence of free trade unions are threatened.</li><li>Actively voicing metalworkers' positions on potential international trade union, political, social, and economic issues concerning metalworkers throughout the world. Such participation includes appearances and submissions with respect to relevant international forums such as the World Trade Organisation, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, International Trade Union Confederations, etc.</li><li>Serving as a catalyst, depository and exchange of information and material for affiliates needed in accomplishing these objectives.</li><li>Providing moral and practical support and leading in the development of creative and innovative strategies to assist in economic, political and social conflicts.</li></ol></li></ol>

<p>The IMF will only be as strong as its affiliates and will only have the power its affiliates give to it. Therefore, our priority is building strong national trade unions that, in a permanent democratic relationship with workers, are capable of achieving real gains through collective bargaining, by organising the unorganised, striving for trade union unity at the national level and building unions through training, education and effective exchange of information.</p>

Preface

3. GLOBAL SOLIDARITY IN ACTION

3.3 Defend and protect workers rights

1. OUR MISSION

2. THE WORLD TODAY

2.1 Profits over people

2.2 Unemployment and job insecurity

2.3 Unions under attack

2.4 Fundamental workers´ rights denied

2.5 Spreading influence of Transnational Corporations

2.6 World trade system in disarray

2.7 An unsustainable future

2.8 Alliances, resistance and opportunities

3.1 Build strong national trade unions

3.1.1 Organise the unorganised

3.1.2 Strive for trade union unity at the national level

3.1.3 Build unions through education, training and effective exchange of information

3.2 Strengthening collective bargaining

3.3.1 Fight for trade union rights

3.3.2 Fight for Equal Rights

3.3.3 Fight for safe workplaces

3.4 Build a counterweight to the power of transnational corporations

3.4.1 Strengthening union solidarity and cooperation across sectors and TNCs

3.4.2 Advance fundamental rights through International Framework Agreements

<img src="" alt="" width="135" height="110" align="right" /> <p>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. </p><p>The agreement reflects the company's &quot;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.&quot;</p><p>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).</p><p>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.</p><p>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 <a href="http://www.fellesforbundet.no/internet/templates/article.aspx?id=31638" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p>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.</p><p>A copy of the agreement in English is available on the IMF website. Other languages will be published as they become available.</p>

IMF and Norwegian affiliate Fellesforbundet sign International Framework Agreement with Aker ASA.

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