20 March, 2015IndustriALL Global Union has signed a global framework agreement (GFA) with German-based multinational operating in different segments of the metal industry, ThyssenKrupp, for protecting and advancing the rights of more than 150,000 workers in nearly 80 countries worldwide.
IndustriALL German affiliate, IG Metall and ThyssenKrupp Works Council finalized the GFA process with ThyssenKrupp with a ceremony that was held on 16 March 2015 at the company’s headquarters in Essen. The GFA was developed in consultation with IndustriALL’s affiliates having membership throughout the operations of the company. The process also played important role in finding solutions for the labour conflicts in the US and Italy.
Berthold Huber, who signed the GFA as IndustriALL President, called the new GFA a “trend-setting agreement”, in which the participation of workforce representatives would be ensured via the involvement of representatives in the complaint system as well as in the international committee. Huber further said:
“Multinational groups that are acting globally, have to ensure that they offer fair working conditions globally for their workforce, and that they abide by existing rules, regulations and legislation in favour of their workforce.”
According to the agreement, ThyssenKrupp is obliged to comply with the principles of the International Labour Organzation (ILO), among other international standards, at all its subsidiaries worldwide. These include particularly ILO conventions nos. 29, 87, 98, 100, 105, 111, 138 and 182. Under the newly signed GFA ThyssenKrupp undertakes to respect the following principles:
- Equal opportunity and equal treatment
- Maximum working hours as regulated by a respective legislation or a collective bargaining agreement or other agreement within the specific country
- Right to a reasonable remuneration for all employees
- Health and safety of employees a key issue, obliging ThyssenKrupp to adhere to local laws with regard to a safe, hygienic working environment
- All employees have the right to establish trade unions and employees’ representative bodies, and to engage in collective bargaining
- All forms of child and forced labour are prohibited
The GFA has also strong provisions for implementation and monitoring through an International Committee with the participation of various management and workers’ representatives.
ThyssenKrupp is one of the world's leading metal companies providing components and systems for the automotive industry, elevators, escalators, material trading and industrial services.