English

Español

Français

Aerospace

Automotive

Base metals

Chemical, pharmaceutical and bio-science

Energy

Glass, cement, ceramic and associated industries

ICT, electrical and electronics

Mechanical Engineering

Mining and DGOJP

Pulp and paper

Rubber

Shipbuilding and shipbreaking

Textile, garment, shoes, leather and textile services

Sectors

Action Plan 2025-2029

Action on textile and garment industry

Clean up shipbreaking

Ratify ILO C176

United for a just future - time to pay up!

Disinvest from Myanmar

Campaigns

Global Framework Agreements

Union building

White-collar workers

Health & safety

Industry 4.0

Women

Youth

LGBTQI+

Gender, equality, diversity and inclusion (GEDI)

Just Transition

Organizing with industriALL

What we do

Affiliates

Statutes

Elected Officials

Executive Committee

Geneva head office

South East Asia

Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus

Latin America and the Caribbean

Middle East and North Africa

South Asia

Sub-Saharan Africa

Regional offices

About us

Global worker No1 2022

Global worker No2 2022

Publications

Resources

Press

The IMF also engages TNC's through its sectoral activities. These have a long history in the IMF, but there have been innovations in recent years: more emphasis has been placed on regional activities, and World Union Committees have been established in SKF, Volkswagen and Mercedes Benz. Although the latter are financed by the enterprises, the IMF is represented and there is a well-defined representational structure, as well as regular schedules of meetings. Although, the IMF continues to organize its own World Company Councils, it also works at building smaller Action Groups in the auto and steel sectors. These bodies meet more frequently than the Councils to ensure improved international information exchange and cooperation. IMF activities on TNCs continue to make efforts to balance and coordinate company and sector level approaches at the global and regional levels. For example, the World Auto Council also includes meetings of TNC networks.Another growing area of the IMF's work is solidarity and union building campaigns. These range from the IMF encouraging affiliates to write protest letters to full-scale global campaigns. Campaigns are often triggered by countries or enterprises that violate internationally recognized workers' rights. South Korea, for example, emerged from military rule in the late 1980's, but the struggle for union recognition, the freeing of frequently imprisoned labor leaders, and new labor laws that are based on international standards continues. Since 1989, the IMF and its affiliates have organized several international days of action and lodged complaints to the ILO. Belarus, Turkey and Malaysia have also been repeated targets of IMF solidarity activities. In Indonesia, the IMF expelled its Suharto era affiliate and supported a new independent union (FSPMI) as well as Lomenik-SBSI. Starting in 2006, the IMF was involved in a major campaign in support of its Mexican mining affiliate, SNTMMSRM. The government had attacked SNTMMSRM, removed its legally elected general secretary, and pursued him with fraudulent charges, forcing him to flee the country. Since its launch, the IMF's international campaign with the strong support of its affiliates, continues to fight for union autonomy in Mexico and continues to support the efforts of the miners' union to win justice and fight political persecution. But governments are not the only culprits. TNCs frequently use substandard labor legislation or corrupt officials to violate workers' rights and suppress unions. The IMF has had to campaign against Honda Prospect Motor in Indonesia, and Toyota in the Philippines. In other cases, IMF affiliates took the lead in launching activities, examples are the fight for decent contracts and union recognition at the Brazil based steel maker Gerdau, the campaign to get the Australian manufacturer of asbestos products, James Hardie, to compensate asbestos victims, and the current fight against Australian hearing device manufacturer, Cochlear's, union busting campaign. The IMF-website, launched in 1999, has been a key tool in virtually all of these campaigns. <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" align="center"><tbody><tr><td><a href="../main/index.cfm?n=103&amp;l=2&amp;c=19219&amp;mwId=19189">&lt;&lt; back</a></td><td> </td><td><a href="../main/index.cfm?n=103&amp;l=2&amp;c=19215&amp;mwId=19189">beginning</a></td><td> </td><td align="center" valign="middle"><a href="../main/index.cfm?n=103&amp;l=2&amp;c=19221&amp;mwId=19189">forward &gt;&gt;</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

Download the pdf file of the special report with illustrations >>

IMF - the last twenty years

In the new millennium, the IMF is also increasingly present at the World Social Forum. At the 2005 meeting, the IMF and its major Brazilian affiliates organized a march for employment that drew more than 4,000 participants. The IMF's Program for Social and Economic Alternatives stresses the forming of alliances with a broad range of democratic organizations that support the labour movement's values.Integrating new affiliates in this period of vast political and economic change also required the IMF to adapt its own structures. The IMF Regional Office for East Asia based in Tokyo was closed, and new ones in Southeast Asia and the CIS countries were opened. In addition, beginning in 1996, new regional structures for representation and coordination were created. By the end of 2002, this process was completed, resulting in four world regions (Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Central and Eastern Europe, Asia and the Pacific) each of which has from 2-4 sub regions, which have a regular schedule of meetings.Starting in the late 1990's, the IMF began to focus on developing and negotiating International Framework Agreements (IFAs). TNCs and their globe spanning production chains had become increasingly important. IFAs essentially are agreements between a Global Union and a TNC in which the latter agrees to respect the ILO's core labor standards in all of its operations. For the IMF, a requirement for contractors and suppliers to respect the IFA's standards is also a critical provision, as is union participation in IFA implementation. The agreement may also contain other clauses, e.g. requiring a &quot;living&quot; wage&quot;, forbidding the hiring of replacements for striking workers, or additional clauses on implementation.The first IMF IFA was signed in 2002 (with Merloni, now Indesit), but by November 2008, the total had reached 19 including some of the worlds major vehicle manufacturers, parts suppliers, aerospace, and steel companies. Several additional IFAs were proposed but not signed, because they fell short of the IMF's principles or minimum standards. Considering that all seven GUFs have now signed a total of 53 IFAs, the IMF's share amounts to a very notable success. Unfortunately, virtually all agreements are with European TNCs, which means that pursuing agreements with Asian and American enterprises remains a priority for the IMF.IFAs are important instruments for ensuring workers' rights and union building. There has already been several successful application uses, for example, the Daimler-Chrysler agreement helped settle a long-standing dispute at a Turkish parts supplier. The IMF has also developed guidelines for negotiating and implementing IFAs. Because the role of unions and the IMF in negotiating and monitoring agreements is crucial, a World Conference on IFAs was held in 2006 resulting in comprehensive recommendations which were later adopted by the Executive Committee in May 2007 in Spain.<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" align="center"><tbody><tr><td><a href="../main/index.cfm?n=103&amp;l=2&amp;c=19218&amp;mwId=19189">&lt;&lt; back</a></td><td> </td><td><a href="../main/index.cfm?n=103&amp;l=2&amp;c=19215&amp;mwId=19189">beginning</a></td><td> </td><td align="center" valign="middle"><a href="../main/index.cfm?n=103&amp;l=2&amp;c=19220&amp;mwId=19189">forward &gt;&gt;</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

Still, in spite of successes in organizing metalworkers and bringing them into the IMF fold, only about one third of the world's estimated 70 million metalworkers are members of a union. Even in countries that pride themselves on political democracy, such as the USA and the United Kingdom, adverse labour laws and often vicious employer opposition deprive workers of the benefits of organization. Finally, in many developing countries, there are Export Processing Zones, where too often workers' rights are restricted and unions are non-existent. In 2005, the IMF Congress identified EPZ's as a priority for attention and organising projects in Latin America and Indonesia have been launched.Globalization and the IMF Action ProgramThe history described above took place against the background of accelerating economic globalisation. Rooted in the Reagan and Thatcher administrations, hostility towards labour and the welfare state grew, neo-liberalism promoted deregulation, smaller government, and privatization. The lowering of trade restrictions and investment controls promoted globalization, as well as larger and more powerful transnational corporations (TNCs). Outsourcing, often to the growing number of EPZs, became a powerful trend. The global financial market effectively became a casino for the biggest financial players, and a new wave of mergers and acquisitions was unleashed. As early as 1993, the IMF developed an Action Program, which has evolved from a relatively brief document prepared by the Secretariat for the centenary Congress into a more concrete and detailed guide. The 2005-2009 program, for example, was developed by a committee of affiliate representatives and Secretariat members that met four times in a two-year period. Like its predecessor, the document contains an analysis of the challenges confronting metalworking unions, a mission statement that lays down the basic principles and values of the IMF, and set of strategies and concrete proposals that need to be implemented at local, national, regional and international levels. It addresses in detail four key aspects of union work in a global economic environment: 1. Building global structures; 2. Engaging transnational corporations; 3. Solidarity and organising; 4. Giving a social dimension to globalisation.Implementing the Action ProgramOver the last two decades, the IMF has played an increasingly active role in its cooperation with other Global Union Federations (GUFs), the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD (TUAC) and the European Metalworkers' Federation (EMF). This involvement rests on the principle that activities must go beyond lobbying international institutions and actually mobilize workers. Furthermore, joint activities must be based on agreed strategies and clearly identified objectives. When these are not clearly present, such as in the recently established Council of Global Unions, the IMF does not participate. On the other hand, there are a number of examples of joint activities. IMF is cooperating with all the GUFs in its on-going campaign against Precarious Work. The Burma boycott is a joint endeavour of the ITUC and all GUFs, as is the campaign for a worldwide ban on asbestos products and occupational cancer/zero cancer. The IMF has also cooperated with the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) to support organizing Indian shipbreaking workers, and signed an International Framework Agreement jointly with International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM).<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" align="center"><tbody><tr><td><a href="../main/index.cfm?n=103&amp;l=2&amp;c=19217&amp;mwId=19189">&lt;&lt; back</a></td><td> </td><td><a href="../main/index.cfm?n=103&amp;l=2&amp;c=19215&amp;mwId=19189">beginning</a></td><td> </td><td align="center" valign="middle"><a href="../main/index.cfm?n=103&amp;l=2&amp;c=19219&amp;mwId=19189">forward &gt;&gt;</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

Text / Peter Unterweger Photos / IMF archives -------------------------------------------------------------------------------A new era dawns1989 was an eventful year. The participant list of the IMF Congress in June of that year gave some clues to the events transforming the world. Trini Leung, who had been present at the Tiananmen Square demonstrations only 14 days earlier, addressed the Congress. Moses Mayekiso, General Secretary of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), had recently been freed by the apartheid authorities after 3 years of detention and ultimate acquittal. Apartheid was tottering, and its rulers were turning to compromise. Popular pressures inside the Soviet block were building. Years of Gorbachev&#039;s reforms had loosened the grip of the Communist elites on satellite states and the Soviet republics. In Poland, Solidarnosc successfully concluded talks with the Communist authorities in April 1989, and won the subsequent elections by a landslide. On August 23, the Hungarian government opened its border with Austria, and more than 13,000 East German &quot;tourists&quot; escaped to the West. Demonstrations began in East Germany, and by November 9th the East German government was forced to permit unrestricted visits to the West. Euphoric crowds scaled the Berlin Wall from both sides and began to dismantle it.Aside from these momentous developments, there were still other trends changing the world. Dictatorships were on the decline, and by its long-time support for metalworkers in South Africa, Latin America, Poland, and Korea, the IMF had made important contributions. The elections of Thatcher and Reagan had signalled the start of a right-wing backlash against the welfare state and workers&#039; gains that reverberated far beyond the United Kingdom and the USA. Under GATT, world trade liberalization continued. Eventually, even social democratic parties adopted parts of the neo-liberal programme. For the IMF, an important new chapter began in 1989. Since its founding in 1893, there had been only seven IMF Secretaries or General Secretaries, and in 1989 a new GS, Marcello Malentacchi, was unanimously elected. The challenges confronting the IMF and its new leadership were large: <ul><li>Millions of metalworkers in the former Soviet block needed assistance even as the struggle for democracy in South Africa, Korea, Latin America and a number of other countries still required support.</li><li>Anti-social political and economic trends on the national and global levels had to be resisted.</li><li>New ways of dealing with the growing power of trans-national corporations (TNCs) had to be found. </li></ul><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" align="center"><tbody><tr><td align="center" valign="middle"><a href="../main/index.cfm?n=103&amp;l=2&amp;c=19216&amp;mwId=19189">forward&gt;&gt;</a> </td></tr></tbody></table>

The IMF has witnessed important growth and change 
over the last twenty years, and has shaped the course of international trade unionism in the developed and developing world alike. This work is critical to meet the economic and political challenges of today.

During the crisis autumn of 2008, the loss in members slowed down. The economic crisis has had the effect that more people are joining the union. Inga-Lill Samuelsson thinks the project has so far yielded good results. &quot;But it's hard to say how many of the approximately 23,000 new members joined thanks to our efforts or because of the crisis.&quot; The union's 52 branches are responsible for their own recruiting. Each branch can request economic support from the union for its recruiting efforts. &quot;The branches have done a good job. Many have conducted training to attract more members, and to attract members who will stay in the organization,&quot; says Inga-Lill. &quot;Our elected officials need to be strengthened through training and to receive tips on debating and reporting.&quot;At first the project was aimed at the smallest enterprises. This is because the degree of organization in them is usually lower than in big enterprises where unions often have their own branches with outreach activities. At the smaller workplaces the union is therefore less often seen. &quot;The important thing is that the individual be asked: 'will you join?' Someone has to ask the question. Then many do join,&quot; Inga-Lill says. That applies both for finding new sustainable work methods and rediscovering tried and true forms of work, says Inga-Lill. &quot;We have to explain that we are stronger if more people join.&quot;<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" align="center"><tbody><tr><td><a href="../main/index.cfm?n=103&amp;l=2&amp;c=19212&amp;mwId=19189">&lt;&lt; back</a></td><td> </td><td><a href="../main/index.cfm?n=103&amp;l=2&amp;c=19197&amp;mwId=19189">beginning</a></td><td> </td><td align="center" valign="middle"><a href="../main/index.cfm?n=103&amp;l=2&amp;c=19214&amp;mwId=19189">forward &gt;&gt;</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

Feature: Download pdf file with illustrations >>

Swedish Unions revive recruitment efforts

RUSSIA:  The International Metalworkers&#039; Federation and its affiliates remain seriously concerned about the safety of trade union leaders and activists in Russia following a series of attacks and threats. In the most recent incident, violent threats were made against Eugeny Ivanov, leader of the ITUA local union at the GM plant near St. Petersburg. One week after the trade union organization at the facility was founded on 12 January 2009, Eugeny and his family began receiving anonymous phone calls threatening aggression if he continued his trade union activity. Despite having notified police of the threats, on February 8 Eugeny was assaulted near his home, requiring treatment for concussion.This is not the first time threats were followed by reprisals towards ITUA union activists. In June and July 2008, Alexei Gramm and Sergey Bryzgalov were attacked in Taganrog and in November 2008 the union leader Alexey Etmanov in Vsevolozhsk was assaulted following similar threats.So far the IMF has not received any clear indication that the authorities have commenced proper and thorough investigations in any of the cases. The IMF joins with its affiliates in an appeal to the Russian authorities and heads of law enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation, urging them to carefully, thoroughly and promptly investigate all threats and attacks on our brothers and sisters, union leaders and activists, and to punish those who ordered and carried out these acts.

Unions call for immediate investigations into assaults and threats against ITUA leaders and activists.

Russian  union leaders  attacked

New attacks on ITUA co-chairman

IMF and affiliates take stand against attacks on Russian unionists

GENEVA: Executive Committee members of the International Metalworkers' Federation held an Extraordinary Executive Committee Meeting to prepare for the upcoming 32nd IMF World Congress to take place in Gothenburg, Sweden on May 24-28. The Congress theme, Secure Jobs for a Secure Future, was approved by executive committee members and delegates debated Congress agenda items and programme details. The previous day the Action Programme Committee finalized the draft of the 2009-2013 Action Program which will be distributed to affiliates for review in the coming weeks. Affiliates are requested to send all amendments for review by the Action Programme Committee by  April 15. Any amendments submitted by April 15 that are not adopted by the Action Programme Committee can be raised at Congress. Once endorsed, the Action Programme will set out the IMF's activities for the next four years.

Leaders from IMF affiliates around the world met in Geneva, Switzerland on February 19 for an extraordinary meeting of the IMF Executive Committee to prepare for the 32nd IMF World Congress.

IMF World Congress preparations underway

text

PROTEST LETTER TEXT (to send)

PROTEST LETTER start info on page

Too often governments prioritise the interests of TNCs over the interests of workers, which is particularly apparent when it comes to questions of trade. Not surprisingly the current world trading system continues to demonstrate its inability to tackle the issue of sustainable development and address the needs of workers worldwide. Trade unions energetically oppose the current proposals for further liberalisation of trade in manufactured goods, because these would undermine prospects for progress in many developing economies and weaken labour relative to multinational capital in developing and developed economies. While multilateralism is in crisis, there is a proliferation of bilateral and regional trade agreements that, in most cases, have been negotiated without any trade union consultation and input.  Unfair trade practices and the resistance of governments to incorporating core labour standards in an enforceable manner in trade and investment agreements are intensifying current strains in the multilateral system. Trade can be an engine for economic and social development, but for this to happen current policies and practices must be fundamentally changed. Violations of core labour standards are not only an affront to human rights, but also an economic distortion. They are no different than the distortions caused by unfair subsidies or violations of intellectual property rights, which are subject to WTO sanctions.  China's growing participation in international trade has increased competitive pressures on workers in both developed and developing countries, and breaches of core labour standards.  In particular, the development impact of China's involvement in Africa and Latin America, driven by a need to access energy and mineral resources to feed its rapid industrialisation, has become a major source of concern, as has its currency policy.

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

Archive

About IndustriALL

Follow us

Contact us