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Global worker No1 2022

Global worker No2 2022

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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. 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.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.  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. 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.

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

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. 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.  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.

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.

Thank you for taking ACTION!Visit the IMF website for regular updates on the campaign to Stop the Violence Against Russian Unionists or sign up for IMF Action Alerts to be notified of urgent solidarity requests and campaign developments immediately when they arise.This page will reload to the protest letter again in 5 seconds

PROTEST LETTER (thanks)

USA: The IMF Ford Network met the 22nd to the 24th of April in Detroit, bringing together 37 delegates from 12 countries representing all regions, to discuss how to further effective means of solidarity for workers across the company&#039;s production chain. The meeting sought ways to built on efforts underway since 2007.Trade unions agreed to a number of concrete steps. Outcomes included means to furthering the network&#039;s coordination capacities, making progress towards an international framework agreement, exploring ways to support organizing Ford and supplier workers and defending trade union rights, as well as facilitating information exchange. Participants were informed about two important struggles involving workers at Ford suppliers, which were brought directly to the attention of Ford management. Significant gains have been subsequently won by the workers and unions. The first was the dramatic fight for justice for 610 Visteon workers, members of Unite the Union in the UK, who had been sacked with only a minute&#039;s notice, in the process denied their rightful redundancy pay and their pensions hit. Workers&#039; fight-back for just compensation went beyond even the Ford redundancy terms and included as well the right to be considered for jobs at Ford, the former employer of the vast majority of the workforce.In Thailand, workers involved in a two-month dispute at Siam Michelin were strongly supported by the IMF affiliate TEAM and by rubber workers of the Petroleum and Chemical Workers&#039; Federation affiliated to ICEM. The dispute was favourably resolved on 28 April though settlement of a collectively bargained agreement, the release of 20 jailed workers with all charges against them dropped, and required payment of the annual bonus in May.

Trade union network representing Ford workers across all regions emerges stronger.

IMF Ford Network builds cross-border solidarity

Market opening should be an instrument for sustainable development. This requires that the promotion of quality employment becomes the primary goal of trade liberalisation, with a fair distribution of the wealth for the workers who create it. The sustainable growth we stand for cannot happen at the expenses of weaker parties. The IMF, particularly through its Working Party on Trade, Employment and Development, works to build solidarity and harmonize the legitimate interests of workers in the North and the South, and to promote a transparent debate on the concerns arising from trade liberalisation.

Trade, employment &amp; development

The structural and technological transformation of metal industries has brought about profound changes in the occupational pattern of the workforce. Non-manual workers are growing in number but are poorly organised or not organised at all.  Like those on the shop-floor they are drawn into the race to the bottom in the global economy. The IMF and its affiliates need to engage and mobilise these workers around labour and professional issues to build greater solidarity and bargaining strength.

Non-Manual

EUROPE: In a joint submission to the European Commission, the International and European Metalworkers' Federations have called for the establishment of a new independent authority to regulate one of the world's most dangerous industries, ship-breaking.The submission also calls for mandatory legislated standards after the failure of voluntary codes established by the International Labour Organisation, Basel Convention and International Maritime Organisation.At present, ship breaking is concentrated in a few developing countries (mainly in Asia) on account of the low wages and lack of compliance with international standards on safety, health and lack of environmental controls offered in these nations.&quot;It is no longer acceptable that we close our eyes to the daily exploitation of ship breaking workers. Both IMF and EMF demand a safer and greener global system for dismantling ships. Our joint submission aims to give a voice to the affected workers and their concerns&quot; states Jyrki Raina, the newly elected IMF General Secretary.&quot;&quot;By presenting a joint submission we hope that the Commission willrecognise the importance we place on this issue. The EU must not wait for the implementation of a new international instrument in 2015 as this will cost hundreds of lives. The EU must show leadership by creating the conditions for a European ship breaking sector that can set exemplary international standards&quot;, says Peter Scherrer, EMF General Secretary.In their submission to a public consultation on ship breaking, the IMF and EMF call for immediate implementation of new measures to improve working conditions for ship breakers.The submission calls for:<ul><li>Mandatory, legislated workplace, labour right and environmental standards to be applied for ship breaking employers</li><li>All ship breaking processes to include standard inventories of all hazardous materials on board ships slated for dismantling</li><li>A clear role for trade unions in monitoring and regulation</li><li>Mandatory dismantling of all European military and government vessels with in the EU</li><li>The creation of a European ship breaking sector that can set exemplary international standards by being ecologically and socially responsible as well as economically, industrially and socially innovative.</li></ul>A copy of the submission is published on the IMF website.

IMF and EMF call for a new independent authority to govern ship breaking

IMF and EMF response on dismantling of ships

Stop exploitation of shipbreaking workers

GLOBAL:  IMF affiliates were united in their support for the new leadership team elected by Congress yesterday with a mandate until 2013. Following adoption of amendments to the IMF Rules, the Congress held elections for five leadership positions ensuring greater representation of the various regions of the IMF.Berthold Huber, IG Metall President, was elected IMF President. Huber has been a member of IG Metall since 1971 and served as IG Metall Vice President since 2003 and President since 2007.Thomas R. Buffenbarger, International President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, was elected by Congress delegates as IMF Vice President. Buffenbarger leads over 700,000 active and retired IAM members in Canada and the US.Jyrki Raina, Nordic IN General Secretary, was elected IMF General Secretary. Recognising the unanimous support for his election, Raina said, &quot;Our unity is the base of our force. It is with pride and a great sense of humility that I accept this election.&quot;  Raina began his trade union work in Finland and for the last six years has co-ordinated the Nordic unions' activities in Europe and at the global level.Hiroshi Kamada and Fernando Lopes were elected by the Congress as IMF Assistant General Secretaries. The Congress also elected the members of the Executive Committee and Auditing Committee.

Affiliates united in their support for the new IMF leadership elected by Congress.

Congress elects new leadership

GLOBAL: The IMF Secretariat Report to delegates urged unions worldwide to mobilize workers to seize the opportunity the current economic crisis represents.&quot;More and more employers are using the financial crisis as an excuse to limit or erode fundamental worker rights,&quot; said outgoing IMF General Secretary Marcello Malentacchi.Mr. Malentacchi blamed the failure of global financial institutions to properly control the world's economy for the current crisis. &quot;The market forces that were supposed to improve welfare for all have instead created social unrest and generated more poverty in many countries. &quot;Knowing as we do the causes and impacts of the current crisis, we must now look to how we can transform it.&quot;But, Malentacchi cautioned that unions' ability to organize the unorganized was crucial to their ability to respond to the crisis.&quot;Opportunity is there if we can seize it, but only if we are able to reach out to workers and mobilize them into action.&quot;It is up to unions to ensure that we are able to motivate individuals into solidarity and collective action.&quot;When we work together to exert that power on a local, regional, national and global level, unions can influence and force change on companies, governments and laws.&quot;From there we may create the kinds of change that will bring secure jobs for a secure future.&quot;&#160;

Retiring IMF General Secretary urges affiliates to mobilize workers in the face of the current financial crisis.

Seize the opportunity of the crisis or perish

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