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<p>TNCs seek to shift their risks and costs onto workers, often with institutional and government support. In addition, offshoring, outsourcing and subcontracting have become an integral part of corporate cost-reduction strategies and affect not only production work but also increasingly high-skilled and well-paid jobs in design, research and development activities. Relocation as well as a large part of green-field investment takes place in countries where, in many cases, there is a very low rate of unionisation, no democratic unions or no unions at all. </p><p>TNCs have provided employment through direct capital investment, while building complex global supply chains and multi-level networks, which reach out to thousands of contractors and suppliers all over the world.  These networks have made it possible for companies to source goods and services anywhere, reorganise production lines quickly, forcing workers to adapt constantly to new performance requirements, or to leave the country at a moment's notice if a cheaper and more compliant workforce is available somewhere else.</p><p>TNCs have thus significantly altered the industrial structure within and among countries for their own benefits, including by moving decision-making centres and by transforming the employment relationship on which labour protection systems are largely based.  While it is abundantly clear that TNCs have a significant influence over the working conditions of millions of workers across the world, they refuse to recognize their influence and they argue that they are not responsible for the workers along the supply chain.  </p><p>TNCs have created a global labour market in which workers from the same and/or different countries are continuously put into competition with each other.  Moreover, the unrestricted mobility of capital allows it to take advantage of differences in wages, working conditions, and labour legislation.  Conflicts of interests are created between groups of workers in different regions, between workers at different worksites, and also within and across countries. Workers are pushed to work faster, cheaper, and for longer hours, which leads to increasing work-related health problems. The TNCs ability to relocate manufacturing and research and development is a threat not only to jobs but also to wages and workers' bargaining power. </p><p>To date, trade unions have had limited success in challenging the power of TNCs. The relocation process driven by TNCs is taking a heavy toll on workers and many regions are facing the spectre of de-industrialisation. However, industry is a key component of growth, technological and social development, and balanced trade patterns. It is vital for employment. Government policies are therefore needed to promote equitable and sustainable growth, facilitate the adaptation of traditional industries, and encourage the development of new ones.  Unions have a new role to play in this field, linking the social and environmental dimension in their strategy for the benefit of all workers.  </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

<p>Millions of workers around the globe continue to face repression, imprisonment, discrimination and all kinds of threats and pressures due to their trade union activities. Trade unionists are killed in the exercise of their rights. </p><p>Poor labour standards and lax enforcement of labour legislation are often used as a means to attract much-needed foreign investment as is the case in export processing zones (EPZs).  Millions of workers, above all women, are employed today in such zones. Discrimination and abuses are common in EPZs where attempts to form unions and bargain collectively are often met with intimidation, violence, sackings and even death threats.  </p><p>The policies of international financial institutions have also hurt workers around the world.  By imposing conditions designed first and foremost to promote labour market deregulation, privatisation and economic liberalization, these policies have undermined basic workers' rights, exacerbated financial instability, fuelled inequalities, and created serious hardships for workers and their communities.</p>

<p>This attack on jobs and the dilution of the employment relationship is also an attack on unions and workers' rights. Employers, in many countries with the full support of governments, are attempting to divide working people. Trade unions are struggling with declining membership and a deteriorating collective bargaining environment.  Adverse trends include changes in industries, employment status and industrial relations (including a shift from industry and sector level bargaining to enterprise agreements or even individual contracts) as well as anti-union actions by governments and corporations.  In addition, unions have not adequately responded to this adverse environment and to the challenge to renew themselves and organise effectively.   The aggressive anti-union campaigns conducted by employers in certain countries with the help of outside consultants are playing a major role in the sustained assault on unions and collective bargaining.  Such union-busting activities are being exported to other countries and represent a serious threat to the rights of workers all over the world.</p>

<p>Throughout the world, people are meeting and mobilising against the destructive effect of unbridled capitalism, all-out deregulation and corporate abuses; they call for the promotion of democracy, human rights, and social justice.  Various social and political movements have rejected the neo-liberal consensus and are following a different path. The World Social Forum process that started in 2001 in Porto Alegre, Brazil is still the largest and most inclusive space where alliances can be built and joint initiatives taken with different social actors. In the last decade, real political change has taken place in some countries, most notably in Latin America, where democratic and progressive governments have come to power and have challenged the neo-liberal economic model by renationalizing their key natural resources and using its profits to benefit the many and not just the few. Numerous movements and networks that play an important role in local and global politics have emerged, creating spaces of dialogue and common action, and building broad-based coalitions. </p><p>There is now a window of opportunity for the world's progressive social forces to get together and come up with alternatives to neo-liberal policies.  Alternatives dedicated to sustainable development, human rights, gender equity and the protection of individual and collective rights in the economy offer opportunities for solidarity and alliances for working people everywhere.</p>

<p>A globalised economy could benefit workers throughout the world and improve prospects for social progress and sustainable development.  However this will not happen by following a deregulation agenda.  The growing inequalities between and within countries generated by neo-liberal policies and free trade show that workers are not receiving an equitable share of the wealth they create in society.  Unsustainable commercial and production practices, spurred on by unregulated globalisation, have caused risks posed by industry, public health concerns, environmental preservation, and climate change to move to centre stage.  </p><p>Climate change is a threat to sustainable development and will affect human well-being, industrial activities, and employment.  It is not just a concern for the developed countries, which still account for most greenhouse gas pollutants. The rapid, energy-intensive growth in China, India and other fast-moving industrialising economies is also contributing to the increase in green-house gas emissions. </p><p>Global warming is now widely acknowledged to be the most critical environmental issue facing humanity.  There is strong scientific evidence that most of the warming observed is attributable to unregulated economic activities and consumption based on a massive and excessive exploitation of natural resources, which also results in widespread industrial pollution.  Fast growing emissions caused by transport, industries, and fossil fuel power plants are made possible by a globalisation that is promoted by neo-liberal policies, including a huge increase in free trade and the associated transportation costs. Production regardless of costs to the environment and the costs of recycling and disposal is prevalent.  There is a scientific consensus that immediate measures such as cuts in emissions of greenhouse gases, a stop to the destruction of forests (especially rain forests), and a change in agricultural production towards  biologically-based systems is essential.</p><p>Furthermore, trade in dangerous wastes such as chemical and other industrial residues including nuclear power stations must either be strictly regulated, or should be stopped. Today, such wastes are often dumped by industrialised countries in developing countries.  The latter accept these practices for the short term and minimal income they provide.  There is much evidence that the receiving countries often cannot handle the wastes in a safe and proper manner. Frequently, they are stocked in open spaces where children and poor women go in search of the wherewithal for survival.</p><p>The global fight for environmental protection must take employment implications and opportunities fully into consideration. Whilst environmental protection has a cost, there is a huge potential for job creation in metal industries, particularly in those related to alternative energies, construction, and fuel-efficient transportation. Creation of stable, safe, and good jobs must be put at centre of the response to the environmental crisis. These jobs must be based on production of goods and services that are useful and accessible to everyone in the community.  Because many environmental problems have their roots in the workplace, workers are in a unique position to contribute to solutions.  Moreover, the role of trade unions, especially industrial unions, needs to be strong at the sectoral level where special attention must be given to auto, steel, aluminium, aerospace and power generation, which are all  fundamental for the future of our economy.  Finally, these positive developments will only happen if trade unions all around the world and their allies fight against neo-liberalism and for effective national industrial development policies.</p><p>Globalisation and its social impact is an important factor in the spread of HIV/AIDS and other new epidemics.  As a result, these epidemics. cannot be addressed as an isolated issue, but only in the context of trade, investments, the employment relationship, and social protection. Less developed countries with high levels of poverty and inequality are especially vulnerable. As a result of the policy pressures from international financial institutions, poverty amongst the most economically marginalized groups is deepening. This affects both the spread and the response to the epidemics.  Unions are key actors at the workplace; they can protect workers and develop agreements with employers to promote access to care and treatment, and to prevent discrimination.  Trade unions also play a wider social and political role within civil society, which seeks to alleviate poverty and deprivation by raising wages, living and social standards. </p><p>A global arms race, which stirs up tensions and conflicts across the world, also threatens a sustainable future. World military spending has increased by 45 per cent since 1998. The struggle to secure access to vital supplies of energy and other raw materials is a major factor contributing to this military build-up.  At the same time these limited resources are depleted by wasteful and unnecessary production and growing populations. On the other  hand,  investment in much-needed education and health programmes, and in official development assistance has lagged behind.</p>

<i><a href="/wp-content/migration/imf/RelatedFiles/AP2009-2013Final-English.pdf">Download IMF Action Programme as a pdf file</a></i><a class="imagetext" href="/wp-content/migration/imf/RelatedFiles/AP2009-2013Final-English.pdf" title=" "><img src="" border="0" alt="IMF Action Programme in pdf" style="width:25px;height:25px;margin-bottom:-7px" /><br /></a>

<p><strong><a href="../index.cfm?c=19940&amp;ol=2">PREFACE</a></strong></p><p><a href="../index.cfm?c=19941&amp;ol=2"><strong>1. </strong><strong>OUR MISSION</strong></a><strong> </strong></p><p><a href="../index.cfm?c=19942&amp;ol=2"><strong>2. </strong><strong>THE WORLD TODAY</strong></a><strong> </strong></p><p><strong><a href="../index.cfm?c=19943&amp;ol=2">2.1. </a></strong><strong><a href="../index.cfm?c=19943&amp;ol=2">Profits over people</a></strong></p><p><strong><a href="../index.cfm?c=19944&amp;ol=2">2.2. </a></strong><strong><a href="../index.cfm?c=19944&amp;ol=2">Unemployment and job insecurity</a></strong></p><p><strong><a href="../index.cfm?c=19945&amp;ol=2">2.3. </a></strong><strong><a href="../index.cfm?c=19945&amp;ol=2">Unions under attack</a></strong></p><p><strong><a href="../index.cfm?c=19946&amp;ol=2">2.4. </a></strong><strong><a href="../index.cfm?c=19946&amp;ol=2">Fundamental workers&acute; rights denied</a></strong></p><p><strong><a href="../index.cfm?c=19947&amp;ol=2">2.5. </a></strong><strong><a href="../index.cfm?c=19947&amp;ol=2">Spreading influence of Transnational Corporations</a></strong></p><p><strong><a href="../index.cfm?c=19948&amp;ol=2">2.6. </a></strong><strong><a href="../index.cfm?c=19948&amp;ol=2">World trade system in disarray</a></strong></p><p><strong><a href="../index.cfm?c=19949&amp;ol=2">2.7. </a></strong><strong><a href="../index.cfm?c=19949&amp;ol=2">An unsustainable future</a></strong></p><p><strong><a href="../index.cfm?c=19950&amp;ol=2">2.8. </a></strong><strong><a href="../index.cfm?c=19950&amp;ol=2">Alliances, resistance and opportunities</a></strong><strong> </strong></p><p><a href="../index.cfm?c=20523&amp;ol=2"><strong>3. </strong><strong>GLOBAL SOLIDARITY IN ACTION</strong></a></p><p><strong><a href="../index.cfm?c=19951&amp;ol=2">3.1. </a></strong><strong><a href="../index.cfm?c=19951&amp;ol=2">Build strong national trade unions</a></strong></p><p><a href="../index.cfm?c=19952&amp;ol=2">3.1.1. Organise the unorganised</a></p><p><a href="../index.cfm?c=19953&amp;ol=2">3.1.2. Strive for trade union unity at the national level </a></p><p><a href="../index.cfm?c=19954&amp;ol=2">3.1.3. Build unions through education, training and effective exchange of information</a></p><p><strong><a href="../index.cfm?c=19955&amp;ol=2">3.2. </a></strong><strong><a href="../index.cfm?c=19955&amp;ol=2">Strengthening collective bargaining</a> </strong></p><p><strong><a href="../index.cfm?c=20557&amp;ol=2">3.3. </a></strong><strong><a href="../index.cfm?c=20557&amp;ol=2">Defend and protect workers&#039; rights</a> </strong></p><p><a href="../index.cfm?c=19957&amp;ol=2">3.3.1. Fight for trade union rights</a></p><p><a href="../index.cfm?c=19958&amp;ol=2">3.3.2. Fight for Equal Rights</a></p><p><a href="../index.cfm?c=19959&amp;ol=2">3.3.3. Fight for safe workplaces</a></p><p><strong><a href="../index.cfm?c=19960&amp;ol=2">3.4. </a></strong><strong><a href="../index.cfm?c=19960&amp;ol=2">Build a counterweight to the power of transnational corporations </a></strong></p><p><a href="../index.cfm?c=19961&amp;ol=2">3.4.1. Strengthening union solidarity and cooperation across sectors and TNCs</a></p><p><a href="../index.cfm?c=19962&amp;ol=2">3.4.2. Advance fundamental rights through International Framework Agreements</a></p><p><strong><a href="../index.cfm?c=19963&amp;ol=2">3.5. </a></strong><strong><a href="../index.cfm?c=19963&amp;ol=2">Fight for sustainable trade, development and employment</a> </strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Adopted at the 32nd IMF World Congress
Gothenburg, Sweden, May 24-28, 2009<br>

IMF Action Programme 2009-2013

IMF ACTION PROGRAMME2009 - 2013

<p><i><a href="/wp-content/migration/imf/RelatedFiles/Rules_EN.pdf">Download IMF Rules as a pdf file</a></i><a class="imagetext" href="/wp-content/migration/imf/RelatedFiles/Rules_EN.pdf" title=" "><img alt="IMF Rules in pdf" border="0" src="" style="width:25px;height:25px;margin-bottom:-7px" /></a></p><br /><p>Table of contents<br /><a href="../index.cfm?c=20019&amp;l=2">ARTICLE 1 - PURPOSE OF THE FEDERATION</a><br /><a href="../index.cfm?c=20020&amp;l=2">ARTICLE 2 - MISSION OF THE FEDERATION</a><br /><a href="../index.cfm?c=20021&amp;l=2">ARTICLE 3 - STRUCTURE OF THE FEDERATION</a><br /><a href="../index.cfm?c=20021&amp;l=2">1. Overall Structure</a><br /><a href="../index.cfm?c=20022&amp;l=2">2. The Congress</a><br /><a href="../index.cfm?c=20023&amp;l=2">3. The Central Committee</a><br /><a href="../index.cfm?c=20024&amp;l=2">4. The Executive Committee</a><br /><a href="../index.cfm?c=20025&amp;l=2">5. The Finance Committee</a><br /><a href="../index.cfm?c=20026&amp;l=2">6. The Auditing Committee</a><br /><a href="../index.cfm?c=20027&amp;l=2">ARTICLE 4 - EXECUTING BODIES OF THE FEDERATION</a><br /><a href="../index.cfm?c=20027&amp;l=2">1. Federation&#039;s Secretariat</a><br /><a href="../index.cfm?c=20027&amp;l=2">2. Industrial and Organisational Departments</a><br /><a href="../index.cfm?c=20027&amp;l=2">3. Regional Structures</a><br /><a href="../index.cfm?c=20028&amp;l=2">ARTICLE 5 - DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL SECRETARY AND ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARIES</a><br /><a href="../index.cfm?c=20028&amp;l=2">1. Duties of the President</a><br /><a href="../index.cfm?c=20028&amp;l=2">2. Duties of the Vice President</a><br /><a href="../index.cfm?c=20028&amp;l=2">3. Duties of the General Secretary and Assistant General Secretaries</a><br /><a href="../index.cfm?c=20029&amp;l=2">ARTICLE 6 - NATIONAL SECTIONS AND COMMITTEES</a><br /><a href="../index.cfm?c=20030&amp;l=2">ARTICLE 7 - ADMISSION, RESIGNATION AND EXPULSION</a><br /><a href="../index.cfm?c=20030&amp;l=2">1. Admission</a><br /><a href="../index.cfm?c=20030&amp;l=2">2. Suspension and Expulsion</a><br /><a href="../index.cfm?c=20030&amp;l=2">3. Resignation</a><br /><a href="../index.cfm?c=20031&amp;l=2">ARTICLE 8 - FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS, ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS, SPECIAL CONTRIBUTIONS</a><br /><a href="../index.cfm?c=20032&amp;l=2">ARTICLE 9 - SUBSCRIPTIONS IN ARREARS AND EXONERATIONS</a><br /><a href="../index.cfm?c=20033&amp;l=2">ARTICLE 10 - REVISION OF RULES </a><br /><a href="../index.cfm?c=20034&amp;l=2">ARTICLE 11 - IMF HEADQUARTERS</a><br /><a href="../index.cfm?c=20035&amp;l=2">ARTICLE 12 - DISSOLUTION OF THE FEDERATION</a></p>

amended at the  32nd IMF World Congress
Gothenburg, Sweden, May 24-28, 2009

IMF RULES

CANADA: Developing a strategy for metalworkers on trade, employment and development was the subject of an IMF seminar that was held at the CAW education center in Canada on October 11 to 14, 2006.<br /><br />IMF affiliates from South and North America, together with metalworkers from Africa, Europe and Asia, took part in the seminar, which examined the current situation of bi-lateral and multi-lateral negotiations on trade liberalisation.<br /><br />Participants expressed concern about new trade liberalisation that, if implemented in an inflexible and generalised way, could seriously damage less developed countries and undermine their ability to build their own industrial policy.<br /><br />Concern was also expressed about the proposed tariff reductions, that could result in the loss of many industrial jobs and increase the overall precarisation of employment conditions, moving workers from permanent jobs to a growing "informal" labour market with little or no labour protection.<br /><br />There was full agreement among participants on the importance of incorporating mechanisms for labour protection in trade agreements. However it was felt that inclusion of core labour standards is not enough, and that the international trade union movement also needs to present a clear alternative project to neo-liberalism, such as expressed in the IMF Strategies for an Alternative Globalisation. (<a href="../main/files/IMFalternativeStrategies_english.pdf"> http://www.imfmetal.org/main/files/IMFalternativeStrategies_english.pdf</a>)<br /><br />Texts of the conclusions and recommendations from the seminar and summaries of the presentations are published in <a href="../main/files/06111509433079/ENGLISH_SUMMARY_PELGIN.doc">English</a>, <a href="../main/files/06111509450579/PORTUGUES_CONCLUCOES_SEMINARIO.doc">Portuguese</a> and <a href="../main/files/06111509441779/ESPANOL_CONCLUSIONES.doc">Spanish</a> on the IMF website.<br /><br /><strong>IMF Working Party on Trade</strong><br /><br />A meeting of the IMF Working Party on Trade took place in conjunction with the seminar. The impact of FTAs on countries with differing socio-economic conditions was analysed and different trade union views and strategies were discussed.<br /><br />WP members recommended that IMF activities focus on<br /><br /><ul><li>Monitoring and analysing the practical impact of key FTAs, e.g. CAFTA, on employment and on workers' rights.<br /></li><li>Building dialogue with G20 governments on their trade and social agenda.<br /></li><li>Examining the role of the auto industry with regard to FTAs.<br /></li><li>Coordinating and facilitating the sharing of views and experiences between affiliates from different regions.<br /></li><li>Reviewing the effectiveness of international trade union strategies on workers rights and on global governance, also involving the ICFTU and GUFs, and social movements.<br /></li><li>Focussing IMF initiatives at the 2007 WSF in Nairobi on possible repercussions of trade liberalisation on employment and development.</li></ul><br /><br />The seminar in Canada followed a series of activities held by the IMF in 2006 aimed at developing common strategies and building union capacity to engage with governments, employers and other institutions around policies on trade, employment and development. Two similar seminars were held in Asunción for the South Cone region in April, and in Durban for Southern and East Africa in June.

Inclusion of core labour standards in trade agreements is important, but not enough. The international trade union movement must also present a clear alternative project to neo-liberalism.

Available materials from the seminar on trade, employment and development

IMF affiliates on trade, employment and development

<h4>Austria</h4><h4>AUSTRIAN METAL TEXTILE FOODWORKERS UNION</h4><p>Vienna --- members of the GMTN demonstrated in front of the Japanese embassy and handed over a <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06092109132779/Austria_GMTN.pdf">petition</a> to the Japanese ambassador. They also reported about the day of action and the Toyota Philippines campaign on their union website: <a href="http://www.gmtn.at/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=GMT/Page/GMT_Index&amp;n=GMT_4.a&amp;cid=1157625784746">http://www.gmtn.at/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=GMT/Page/GMT_Index&amp;n=GMT_4.a&amp;cid=1157625784746</a>.</p><h3>Australia</h3><h4>AUSTRAILIAN MANUFACTURING WORKERS UNION (AMWU)</h4><p>The AMWU added the Toyota Philippines campaign to their website and designed a <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06090116214879/TMPCWA-AMWU-IDA_060820.pdf">leaflet</a> to compliment their mobilization efforts at Japanese embassy.</p><br /><ul><li>Sydney --- 50 people, including Toyota workers demonstrated in the centre of the city in Martin Place. The demonstration was very noisy and attracted the attention of lunch time crowds. Leaflets were handed out. The local Philippino support organisation PAUL was present. The CFMEU construction union also participated. The rally was addressed by AMWU State Secretary Paul Bastian. A delegation met with the Japanese Consul and presented the petition and the consul agreed to pass on the message to their government.<br /></li><li>Melbourne --- 170 people rallied outside the Japanese consulate in Melbourne as part of a national protest against car giant Toyota. Workers and union officials chanted slogans including &quot;Shame Toyota shame&quot; and &quot;Who screws their workers? - Toyota&quot;. They also signed a petition, which was later handed to consulate staff, which focuses on the Japanese carmaker&#039;s operation in the Philippines.<br /><br /></li><li>Brisbane --- A small demonstration was held outside the consulate in Brisbane. The consulate was closed in anticipation of the demonstration and the building totally locked down. The demonstrators tried to enter the building, but were physically prevented from doing so. After some pushing and shoving, agreement was reached that the consul would meet with the demonstrators and the petition was handed over and it was agreed that the message would be passed on to Tokyo. Leaflets were handed out to the lunchtime crowds. <br /></li><li>Hobart --- A demonstration was held outside a Toyota Dealership in Launceston at 12 noon. All AMWU officials, a small number of AMWU delegates, and other unions involved included NUW, HACSU, AEU and RTBU. All unions flew their various flags. A couple of the salespeople came out from the dealership to see what was happening, they were in good humour and joined in with the flag bearing. They weren&#039;t even aware that Toyota had people in the Philippines. The owner of the dealership was not on the site, so a delegation of AMWU went inside to meet with the Co-Owner to let him know what we were doing and asked him to pass on the protest letter to the President of the Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan. He agreed to do so.<br /></li><li>Adelaide --- A demonstration was held outside the main Toyota dealership in Adelaide. There was a good attendance and the noisy demonstration handed out leaflets to the public.<br /></li><li>Perth --- A demonstration was held outside the Japanese consulate in Perth and was addressed by State Secretary of the AMWU Jock Ferguson.</li></ul><br /><h3>Argentina</h3><h4>ASOCIACIÓN OBRERA MINERA ARGENTINA (AOMA), ASOCIACIÓN DE SUPERVISORES DE LA INDUSTRIA METALMECÁNICA DE LA REPUBLICA ARGENTINA (ASIMRA), UNIÓN OBRERA METALÚRGICA (UOM)</h4><br /><ul><li>The affiliates sent letters of protest to the Japanese embassy in Argentina.</li></ul><h3>Bangladesh</h3><h4>BANGLADESH METALWORKERS&#039; FEDERATION (BMF) and the BANGLADESH METALWORKERS&#039; LEAGUE (BML)</h4><ul><li>Dhaka --- The BMF General Secretary Mr. Nazrul Islam Khan and BML General Secretary Md. Mojibhur Rahman Bhuiyan met the Ambassador of Japan Embassy in Dhaka and submitted a petition.</li></ul><br /><h3>Belgium</h3><h4>LANDELIJKE BEDIENDEN CENTRALE - NATIONAAL VERBOND VOOR KADERPERSONEEL (LBC-NVK) and SYNDICAT DES EMPLOYÉS, TECHNICIENS ET CADRES DE BELGIQUE (SETCA-BBTK)</h4><p>LBC-NVK and SETCA-BBTK launched a <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06090115435779/Belgium_affiliates_pamflet_filippijnen.pdf">petition on the web</a> and at local Toyota plants. </p><ul><li>Brussels --- On the 12th of September 60 trade unionists demonstrated before the Embassy of Japan demanding the reintegration of the 136 Toyota-employees of the Philippines. Ms Madoka Funatsu, second secretary of the Japanese ambassador, received a delegation of 6 persons. The delegation was able to share their concerns but also to hand over the results of a petition. In two weeks time they succeeded in collecting more than 1,000 signatures. The embassy had respect for this action and promised to give the petition to their government. The case at Toyota Philippines will be examined and if necessary the Japanese government will put pressure on Toyota and the Philippine government. The embassy has promised us to give feedback within the month about the steps the Japanese government will take in this case. &quot;Kanaal Z&quot; TV did a short report on the action.<br /><br /><br />After this action the demonstrators joined a demonstration of the Belgian network &quot;Stop the killings in the Philippines&quot;. They were demonstrating before the European Commission where the Philippine president was on a visit. The protestors called on the Philippine government to urgently guarantee the security of human rights activists and also trade union activists and thoroughly investigate the political assassinations. Since 2001, 750 political assassinations have been committed in the Philippines, many of them trade unionists. <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06092109303879/Belgium_letter_to_japanese_embassy.pdf">Letter of the Belgian affiliates to the Japanese Embassy.</a></li></ul><br /><h3>Brazil</h3><h4>CONFEDERAÇÃO NACIONAL DOS METALÚRGICOS (CNM/CUT)</h4><ul><li>Sao Paulo --- CNM/CUT publicised the IMF&#039;s September 12 DAY of ACTION in their <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06092109372579/CNM_CUT.pdf">international bulletin</a>.</li></ul><h4>CONFEDERAÇÃO NACIONAL DOS TRABALHADORES METALÚRGICOS (CNTM-FS)</h4><br /><ul><li>The affiliate sent a letter to the Japanese embassy in Brazil.</li></ul><h3>Chile</h3><h4>CONFEDERACIÓN NACIONAL DE TRABAJADORES METALÚRGICOS (CONSTRAMET)</h4><ul><li>Santiago --- The affiliate sent a letter to the Japanese embassy.</li></ul><br /><h3>Colombia</h3><h4><br /><br />FEDERACIÓN DE TRABAJADORES DE LAS INDUSTRIAS METALÚRGICAS, ELÉCTRICAS Y MECÁNICAS DE COLOMBIA (FETRAMECOL) <br /></h4><ul><li>The affiliate sent a protest letter to the respective Japanese embassy.</li></ul><h4><br />COLOMBIA&#039;S NATIONAL MINEWORKERS&#039; UNION (SINTRAMINERCOL) <br /><br /></h4><ul><li>SINTRAMINERCOL sent a protest letter to the respective Japanese embassy. </li></ul><h3>Curacao<br /></h3><h4><br />CURACAOSCHE ALGEMENE DOK &amp; METAALBEWERKERS UNIE (CADMU) <br /><br /></h4><ul><li>The affiliate sent a protest letter to the respective Japanese embassy.</li></ul><br /><h3>France</h3><h4><br /><br />FÉDÉRATION NATIONALE CFTC DES SYNDICATS DE LA MÉTALLURGIE ET PARTIES SIMILAIRES (CFTC), FÉDÉRATION DES TRAVAILLEURS DE LA MÉTALLURGIE (FTM-CGT)<br /></h4><ul><li>Valenciennes --- The CFTC mobilized their members on September 12 in front of Toyota France and sent a <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06090115452279/cftc.pdf">protest letter</a> to the Japanese Ambassador in Paris.<br /></li><li>Montreuil --- The FTM-CGT sent a <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06092109495779/p_tition_philipine_CGT.pdf">letter</a> to the Philippine ambassador asking him to use his influence in bringing a just and fair outcome for the TMPCWA members illegally fired.</li></ul><br /><h3>Ghana</h3><h4><br /><br />INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS UNION (ICU)<br /><br /></h4><ul><li>ICU wrote a <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06110815260479/Ghana_ICU.pdf">letter</a> in support of TMPCWA workers and send it to the Japanese embassy in Accra.</li></ul><br /><h3>Guatemala</h3><h4><br /><br />FEDERACIÓN DE TRABAJADORES DE LA METAL-MECÁNICA DE GUATEMALA (FETRAMEGUA) <br /><br /></h4><ul><li>The affiliate sent a protest letter to the respective Japanese embassy. </li></ul><br /><h3>Honduras</h3><h4><br /><br />FEDERACIÓN DE TRABAJADORES MINEROS Y METALÚRGICOS DE HONDURAS (FETRAMIMH) <br /><br /></h4><ul><li>The affiliate sent a protest letter to the respective Japanese embassy. </li></ul><br /><h3>India</h3><h4><br /><br />STEEL, METAL &amp; ENGINEERING WORKERS&#039; FEDERATION OF INDIA (SMEFI), INDIAN NATIONAL METALWORKERS&#039; FEDERATION (INMF), and WORKING PEOPLE TRADE UNION COUNCIL (WPTUC)<br /></h4><ul><li>Mumbai --- The SMEFI General Secretary Mr. Sanjay S. Vadhavkar, Mr. V.V. Rane and other office bearers met as a delegation with Consulate General of Japan and submitted a <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06092109580679/India_SMEFI.pdf">petition</a>. The Consul General has responded in a letter stating that he will forward the petition to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan.<br /></li><li>New Delhi --- The INMF Secretary Mr. P.J. Raju and others submitted the petition to the Japan Embassy in New Delhi.<br /></li><li>Chennai --- The INMF affiliated Tamil Nadu National Engineering Employees&#039; Union conducted a protest demonstration under the leadership of Mr. N. Devarajan and submitted a petition to Consulate General of Japan in Chennai. The protest actions are covered by Media i.e. Local TV news channels. And, The WPTUC conducted a protest demonstration under the leadership of Mr. R. Kuchelan and submitted a <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06092110005279/India_WPTUC.pdf">petition</a> to Consulate General of Japan in Chennai.</li></ul><br /><h3>Indonesia</h3><h4><br /><br />LOMENIK-SBSI<br /></h4><ul><li>Jakarta --- Workers demonstrated in front of the Japanese embassy calling for Toyota Philippines to REINSTATE THEM NOW!</li></ul><h3>Kenya</h3><h4><br /><br />AMALGAMATED UNION OF KENYA METALWORKERS<br /></h4><ul><li>Nairobi --- Kenyan Metalworkers sent the <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06090115544079/Kenyan_Metal_Workers.pdf">following letter</a>.</li></ul><h3><br />Korea (South)</h3><h4><br /><br />KKOREAN METAL WORKERS&#039; FEDERATION<br /></h4><ul><li>Seoul ---The KMWF sent a letter of protest on September 12 to the Japanese ambassador in Korea.</li></ul><h3><br />Mexico</h3><h4><br /><br />SINDICATO NACIONAL DE TRABAJADORES DE TELEINDUSTRIAS Y SISTEMAS DIGITALES DE LA REPUBLICA MEXICANA (SNTTSD) and SINDICATO NACIONAL DE TRABAJADORES MINEROS, METALÚRGICOS Y SIMILARES DE LA REPÚBLICA MEXICANA (SNTMMS) <br /><br /></h4><ul><li>The affiliates sent protest letters to the Japanese embassy in Mexico. </li></ul><br /><br /><h3>Nepal</h3><h4><br /><br />NEPAL FACTORY LABOUR CONGRESS (NFLC)<br /></h4><ul><li>Kathmandu --- The NFLC President Mr. Dhirendra Kumar Singh along with other Office Bearers submitted a petition to Japanese Embassy at Kathmandu.</li></ul><br /><h3>Pakistan</h3><h4><br /><br />PAKISTAN METALWORKERS&#039; FEDERATION (PMF)<br /></h4><ul><li>Karachi --- The PMF Secretary General Muhammad Suhail and other Office Bearers submitted a petition to Japanese Consulate in Karachi and the Consulate assured them that they would forward the petition to the concerned authorities.</li></ul><br /><h3>Peru</h3><h4><br /><br />FEDERACIÓN DE TRABAJADORES DE LAS INDUSTRIAS MINERAS, METALÚRGICAS Y AFINES DEL PERÚ (FETIMAP)and CENTRAL NACIONAL DE TRABAJADORES INDUSTRIALES DEL METAL &amp; ELECTRO MECANICA DEL PERU (CEMETAL)<br /></h4><ul><li>Lima --- the affiliates sent protest letters to the Japanese Ambassador.</li></ul><br /><h3>Philippines</h3><h4><br /><br />TOYOTA MOTOR PHILIPPINES CORPORATION WORKERS&#039; ASSOCIATION (TMPCWA), NISSAN WORKERS UNION, HONDA WORKERS UNION (part of CAR-AID alliance) and MWAP<br /></h4><ul><li>Manila --- A picket action was launched in front of the Japanese Embassy. The action was attended by members of TMPCWA and other unions as well as families of the illegally dismissed members of TMPCWA. The Labour Attaché of the Embassy and the Economic Affairs officials met with two leaders of TMPCWA, Representatives of CAR-AID, MWAP and two representatives from the Support Group of TMPCWA from Japan for one almost one hour inside the Embassy and promised to discuss this issue with Tokyo Foreign Ministry Officials.</li></ul><br /><h3>Romania</h3><h4><br /><br />FEDERATIA NATIONALA SINDICALA (METAROM)<br /></h4><ul><li>Bucharest --- METAROM members held a picket line in front of the Japanese Embassy in solidarity support of Toyota Philippine workers.</li></ul><br /><br /><h3>Russia</h3><h4><br /><br />MINERS &amp; METALLURGICAL WORKERS&#039; UNION OF RUSSIA (MMWU)<br /></h4><ul><li>Moscow --- A representative of the union paid a visit to the Japanese Embassy and handed in a <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06092110332279/Russia_petition_MMWU.pdf">petition</a> to the Japanese ambassador. </li></ul><h4>SHIPBUILDING WORKERS&#039; UNION OF RUSSIA (SWU)<br /></h4><ul><li>Moscow --- SWU sent a <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06092110220079/Russian_shipbuilders.pdf">protest letter</a> to the Japanese ambassador.<br /></li></ul><h4>ENGINEERING WORKERS&#039; UNION OF RUSSIA (EWU) <br /><br /></h4><ul><li>The affiliate sent a <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06092211522379/EWU_protest_letter.pdf">protest letter</a> to the Japanese embassy in Moscow</li></ul><br /><h3>Singapore</h3><h4><br /><br />INTERNATIONAL METALWORKERS&#039; FEDERATION SINGAPORE COUNCIL<br /></h4><ul><li>The IMF-Singapore Council delivered a <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06090115490479/IMFSC_letter.pdf">letter of protest</a><br />to the Japanese embassy on September 12.</li></ul><br /><h3>South Africa</h3><h4><br /><br />NATIONAL UNION OF METALWORKERS OF SOUTH AFRICA (NUMSA)<br /></h4><ul><li>Johannesburg --- More than 400 NUMSA members protested in front of the Japanese embassy. IMF regional representative Stephen Nhlapo delivered a <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06092110435979/NUMSA.pdf">letter of protest</a> calling for a resolution to the situation facing 136 unjustly fired TMPCWA workers.</li></ul><br /><h3>Sri Lanka</h3><h4><br /><br />JATHIKA SEWAKA SANGAMAY METALWORKERS&#039; FEDERATION (JSSMF) and the SRI LANKA NIDAHAS SEWAKA SANGAMAYA (SLNSS)<br /></h4><ul><li>Colombo --- The JSSMF Secretary Mr. Palitha Atukorale and SLNSS General Secretary Mr. Leslie Devendra met the Ambassador of Japan Embassy in Colombo and submitted a petition.<br /></li></ul><h3>Thailand</h3><h4><br /><br />CONFEDERATION OF THAI ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES; ELECTRONIC AUTOMOBILE &amp; METALWORKERS (TEAM)<br /></h4><ul><li>Bangkok --- TEAM executive and active leaders gathered in front of the Japan Embassy in Bangkok at 10:20 where reporters and police had been waiting in expectation. Bro.Chalee Loysoong handed out copies of the <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06092110482979/TEAM_protest_letter.pdf">appeal letter</a> to his Excellency, the Japan Ambassador, to media and requested a meeting with the office-in-charge of the day. The Labour Attaché then granted a meeting with TEAM representatives. Bro.Chalee Loysoong expressed Thai metalworkers&#039; concern over Toyota-Philippines&#039; management violations against its workers&#039; trade union rights and that the company has refused to re-instate all concerned unionists back to work.</li></ul><br /><h3>Ukraine</h3><h4><br /><br />TRADE UNION OF MACHINE BUILDERS AND INSTRUMENT MAKERS OF UKRAINE<br /><br />AUTOMOBILE AND AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY WORKERS&#039; UNION OF UKRAINE<br /><br />RADIO ELECTRONICS AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING WORKERS&#039; TRADE UNION<br /><br />TRADE UNION OF DEFENCE INDUSTRY WORKERS<br />UKRAINIAN SHIPBUILDING TRADE UNION; <br /><br />UKRAINIAN MACHINEBUILDING AND METALWORKING UNION &quot;MACHMETALL&quot;<br /><br />TRADE UNION OF AIRCRAFT BUILDERS OF UKRAINE<br /><br /></h4><ul><li>Kyev --- A collective effort from seven Ukraine affiliates signed on to <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06090116224179/Ukraine_affiliates.pdf">a protest letter</a> on behalf of TMPCWA workers and sent it to the Japanese ambassador.</li></ul><br /><h3>Uruguay</h3><h4><br /><br />UNIÓN NACIONAL DE TRABAJADORES DEL METAL Y RAMAS AFINES (UNTMRA) <br /><br /></h4><ul><li>The affiliate sent a protest letter to the respective Japanese embassy</li></ul><br /><h3>Venezuela</h3><h4><br /><br />FEDERACIÓN DE TRABAJADORES METALÚRGICOS, MINEROS, MECÁNICOS Y SUS SIMILARES DE VENEZUELA (FETRAMETAL) <br /><br /></h4><ul><li>The affiliate sent a protest letter to the respective Japanese embassy. </li></ul><br /><h3>Denmark/Finland/Norway/Sweden</h3><br /><br /><h4>Nordic IN</h4><br /><br /><ul><li>Nordic IN sent letters of protest to <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06090616090579/Toyota_Phi_protest_9-2006.pdf">Toyota management</a> and <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06090616104379/Toyota_Phi_DOLE_protest_9-2006.pdf">Philippines&#039; Department of Labour and Employment</a>.</li></ul><br /><h3>South-East Europe</h3><br /><br /><h3>Serbia</h3><h4><br /><br />GRANSKI SINDIKAT METALACA (NEZAVISNOST)<br /><br /></h4><h3>Croatia</h3><h4><br /><br />METAL WORKERS TRADE UNION OF CROATIA<br /><br /></h4><h3>Slovenia</h3><h4><br /><br />SINDIKAT KOVINSKE IN ELEKTROINDUSTRIJE SLOVENIJE<br /><br /></h4><h3>Macedonia</h3><h4><br /><br />TRADE UNION OF INDUSTRY, ENERGY AND MINING, SIER<br /><br /></h4><h3>Bosnia-Herzegovina</h3><h4><br /><br />METALWORKERS AND MINERS UNION OF REPUBLIKA SRPSKA<br /><br />TRADE UNION OF METALWORKERS<br /><br /></h4><h3>Bulgaria</h3><h4><br /><br />TRADE UNION (METALICY)<br /><br />SYNDICAL FEDERATION OF MACHINEBUILDERS AND METALWORKERS<br /><br />CL- PODKREPA-SFMM<br /><br />FEDERATION OF METALLURGY - CL PODKREPA-FM<br /><br />FEDERATION METAL ELEKTRO<br /><br /></h4><h3>Montenegro</h3><h4><br /><br />FREE TRADE UNION OF METALWORKERS OF MONTENEGRO<br /><br /></h4><h3>Kosovo</h3><h4><br /><br />INDEPENDENT TRADE UNION OF METALWORKERS OF KOSOVO - SPMK<br /><br /></h4><h3>Romania</h3><h4><br /><br />F.N.S. SOLIDARITATEA METAL<br /><br />FEDERATIA NATIONALA SINDICALA METAROM<br /><br />METALWORKERS FEDERATRION (HENRI COANDA-FRATIA)<br /><br /></h4><ul><li>IMF affiliates in South-East Europe have signed a collective petition both in <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06091115461479/Toyota_Campaign_Belgrade_E.pdf">English</a> and <a href="http://new.imfmetal.org/main/files/06091115474679/Toyota_Campaign_Belgrade_Serbian.pdf">Serbian</a> and handed it over to the Japanese ambassador in Serbia on September 12.</li></ul><br /><br />

RESULTS from the Day of ACTION 
September 12, 2006

Day of ACTION &lt;br&gt;September 12, 2006

PHILIPPINES: The International Metalworkers' Federation has learned that at least 21 members of the Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation Workers Association (TMPCWA) were arrested and are currently being detained by authorities following a demonstration in front of the Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE).<br /><br />What started as a peaceful action turned bloody as DOLE security attacked TMPCWA demonstrators.<br /><br />Workers report that at 9:30 am, on August 16, a group of about 21 went to the DOLE to update their TMPWCA case. Armed DOLE security attempted to keep the group from entering, "...but some of TMPCWA members pushed through to the inside of the buildings. Five gunshots echoed while the securities of the buildings tried to hold us back. Some of the members suffered serious injuries from the bat of the securities namely Angelo Gavarra, Rommel Mariano, Manolito Gertes, Vergilio Colandog," said a TMPCWA member in an emailed update on the situation.<br /><br />The police have charged TMPCWA members with damage to properties, assault, and inciting to sedition. Currently, all 21 workers in question are still being held at the Western Police District Headquarters in Manila.<br /><br />The IMF sent a letter to the president of the Philippines expressing its deep concern for the health and safety of TMPCWA workers and calling for the immediate and unconditional release of those arrested.<br /><br />The TMPCWA action was an effort to protest the DOLE&#039;s recent decision to declare the Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation Labour Organisation (TMPCLO), a company-backed union, exclusive bargaining rights at Toyota Philippines Motor Corporation. <br /><br />The TMPCWA have been struggling for union recognition at Toyota Philippines and fighting for the reinstatement of 136 workers who were illegally fired following a worker demonstration.<br /><br />The IMF and its affiliates have maintained an ongoing campaign on behalf of worker rights for TMPCWA members. For more information about the IMF campaign go to: <a href="../toyotaphilippines">www.imfmetal.org/toyotaphilippines.</a><br /><br />Update August 18, 2006--- All 21 TMPCWA members were released without charges.

TMPCWA members beaten and shot at while protesting in front of the Department of Labour and Employment.

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