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<ol><li>The International Metalworkers' Federation (hereafter called IMF or Federation) is an international association of metalworkers' trade unions fighting to promote respect for trade union and other basic human freedoms, democracy, and social justice throughout the world.</li><li>The IMF provides means for trade unions of men and women in all facets of the metals and related industries - hereafter called metalworkers - to cooperate in pursuing common economic, social, labour and political objectives internationally.</li><li>The IMF works to achieve the recognition and effective enforcement of all international labour standards as specified by the International Labour Organisation's Conventions and Recommendations.  These standards include safe and healthy working conditions, elimination of all forms of discrimination, freedom of association, freedom to engage in collective bargaining, and prohibitions on child labour and forced labour.  In addition, the IMF works to improve job security.</li><li>The IMF also works for peace, freedom and self-determination for all people in the struggle for social progress of workers throughout the world, including the elimination of the social and economic differences between industrialised and developing countries, as well as all types of exploitation perpetrated<em> </em>by various nations and transnational corporations. </li><li>The trade unions affiliated to the IMF - while retaining their autonomy - accept its basic purposes and work for the practical achievement through a diversity of structures and means which contribute to the richness and strength of the Federation.</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

<p>The ILO estimates that the present financial crisis is likely to lead to the loss of some 20 million jobs worldwide and conservatively estimates that the number of working poor living on less than a dollar a day could rise by some 40 million, with those at two dollars a day rising by more than 100 million. Even now, before the full effect of this crisis is known, over one-third of the world's workforce is jobless or underemployed. </p><p>The so-called modernisation of labour laws that governments and business interests are seeking to introduce is also part and parcel of the neo-liberal agenda and a direct attack on workers. Not only is there a rise in unemployment worldwide, but also employment creation increasingly comes at the expense of quality jobs.  More and more workers are finding the search for full-time, permanent employment a fruitless quest.  Precarious work is becoming the norm, spreading in all sectors of the economy including in professional groups.  Others find their jobs are outsourced, misclassified, and lack protection from existing labour laws. </p><p>In many developing countries, workers have been squeezed out of regular employment into the so-called informal economy due to severe economic crises, widespread privatisation programmes, and the job destruction resulting from economic restructuring. The unregulated economy is expanding and a growing number of people struggle to survive on poverty level wages. Unemployment and poor living conditions spur migration within countries and across national boundaries, creating a multitude of tensions in many parts of the world.  </p><p>Precariously employed workers face job insecurity and an uncertain future, low wages, limited or no access to social benefits, such as health or pension schemes, and increased health and safety risks at work. Precarious workers are also frequently denied rights at work, such as the right to join a union or bargain collectively. The rise of precarious employment is creating a two-tier workforce, which is undermining social cohesion and weakening trade unions.  This is part of a larger union-busting strategy used by employers in their well orchestrated anti-union campaigns.</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

<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>

<p>Financial capital has come to dominate productive capital. Short-term speculative investment has gained the upper hand at the expense of long-term investment in job creation, skills development, research and innovation, and sustainable development. The current food, fuel and financial crises, are neo-liberal policy failures, that have drastic consequences for working people and the poor, and that are now dragging the world economy into a severe recession. </p><p>Over the past few years the globalisation of finance has taken on a new dimension with the proliferation of novel speculative products that escape monitoring and regulation. Speculative funds are fed by banks and institutional investors such as insurance companies, mutual funds and pension funds. Some part of private equity assets also come from sovereign wealth funds with huge resources at their disposal, and with a deliberate lack of transparency as to their political and economic objectives, as well as to their practices and investment strategies.</p><p>Never before has the influence of private equity and hedge funds on markets and enterprises been so strong.  Many of them are located in tax havens, which deals another blow to already declining public income from corporate taxation. The financial economy based on short-termism and high rates of return is increasingly disconnected from the real economy with devastating consequences for workers.</p><p>Today, hardly any company is immune from takeover by private equity funds. In most cases, these funds take control of enterprises without any industrial plans, and for the sole objective of boosting share prices and extracting maximum returns over a short period. The potentially high short-term gains attract institutional investors, including pension funds. Thus workers who have put their retirement savings in these pension funds find themselves unwittingly involved in speculative finance that is destroying jobs. Many workers have already watched their savings dissolved by corporate scandals.    </p><p>The instability of the world's financial markets is not just a problem due to a few speculators - the whole system requires new rules. </p>

<p>Since the IMF Congress in 2005, metalworkers and the whole trade union movement have been confronted with an increasingly hostile political, economic and social environment. Corporations have led globalisation to maximise the global reach and profits of their operations with the support of governments and international institutions by promoting neo-liberal policies, which feature deregulation of capital and labour markets, privatization of public services and assets, a reduction in employment growth in many regions, an erosion of social security systems and the frequent denial of worker and human rights.  Even today, a large proportion of the world's metalworkers do not enjoy the fundamental right to have a union.</p><p>While the world economy has grown and created vast amounts of wealth, the divide between rich and poor has widened.  Ever more workers have been faced with deteriorating working and living conditions, job insecurity and an erosion of their rights. Capital has gained huge profits, while the purchasing power of most workers has fallen or at best stagnated.</p>

<p>INDIA: One shipbreaking worker was killed and five others were injured at an Alang shipbreaking yard in the state of Gjarat after a fire broke out on Saturday, July 24, 2010.</p><p>The accident occurred at about 11:30am at Alang shipbreaking yard plot No. 78/79 when workers were cutting a scrap piece of steel with a gas cutter near a ship's engine room. Shamshaulla Shaikh (Kallu), aged 27, died on the spot. Five other workmen were injured, out of which two were admitted to the hospital in Bhavnagar and three are in the hospital in Alang. </p><p>Although not members of IMF affiliate the Alang Sosiya Ship Recycling and General Workers' Association (ASSRGWA), union vice president Ram Patel immediately rushed to the site to assist the workers. He, along with other colleagues, coordinated with the fire and police authorities. The union has also demanded the statutory legal dues to the family member of the deceased worker.</p>

Fire claimed the life of shipbreaking worker Shamshaulla Shaikh and injured five others at the Alang yards in India on July 24.

Shipbreaker in Alang killed, five others injured

<p>NEW ZEALAND: Nearly 2,000 engineering and manufacturing workers will have pay increases above inflation and an extra holiday in 2011 after the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) members voted to ratify the Metals and Manufacturing multi-employer collective agreement (MECA) on July 23, 2010.</p><p>The new Metals and Manufacturing multi-employer collective agreement (MECA) ratified by EPMU members, provides for a three per cent increase on all printed wages and allowances this year, followed by a three per cent increase next year, and a one-off holiday to acknowledge that, for the first time, Anzac Day holiday will fall on the same day as the Easter Monday holiday in 2011. </p><p>&quot;The trend-setting Metals agreement is now set to grow, with EPMU members at other sites organizing to join its coverage. If small to medium enterprises can offer a three per cent pay rise and an extra day of holiday then there's no reason why larger, more profitable employers can't do better,&quot; said Andrew Little, EPMU national secretary. </p><p>The Metals and Manufacturing MECA is the EPMU's largest multi-employer collective agreement, representing nearly 2,000 workers at 120 firms.</p>

Nearly 2,000 workers at 120 firms ratify union agreement for pay increases and an extra day of holidays in 2011

New multi-employer agreement reached in New Zealand

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