15 May, 2025When a local problem meets a global solution, it can transform lives. That’s what global framework agreements (GFAs) are designed to do: protect workers’ rights across borders by holding multinational companies accountable, wherever they operate.
What is a Global Framework Agreement?
A GFA is a negotiated agreement between a multinational company and a global union federation like IndustriALL. It aims to ensure that wherever the company operates, from a factory in India to a paper mill in Poland, workers have the same fundamental rights: to organize, to bargain collectively, to be safe and to be treated with dignity.
“Think of it as a cross-border contract that gives workers and unions real leverage when local systems fall short,”
says Atle Høie, IndustriALL general secretary.
In a world where companies operate globally but laws remain national, GFAs level the playing field. They offer unions a clear escalation path when national dialogue breaks down, turning a local fight into a global one.
But GFAs aren’t just statements of principle. They are tools in action. When backed by organized unions and persistent coordination, they’ve helped solve disputes, prevent conflicts and build lasting dialogue between workers and management.
Why do GFAs matter?
Multinational companies operate across continents, but workers’ rights are still too often limited by national borders. GFAs help level the playing field. They are set to ensure that a worker in Pakistan or Poland is entitled to the same basic dignity as one in Sweden or Germany. This includes the right to organize, bargain collectively, work in a safe workplace and be treated with respect.
For IndustriALL and its affiliates, GFAs are a strategic tool.
“We fight for them, monitor them and use them to build power from the ground up. And while some critics argue that GFAs don’t always deliver, the evidence shows they often do, when unions actively engage in implementation and companies are held accountable,” says Høie
Siemens: a GFA that resolves conflict in India
The Siemens GFA, signed with IndustriALL, proved its worth when local unions in India faced serious challenges. In one case, the Siemens Workers’ Union (SWU) was struggling with a dispute that had stalled for years. Thanks to the global agreement, IndustriALL and IG Metall in Germany were able to intervene, engage Siemens’ global management and help push for a solution. This direct channel, from the shop floor in India to headquarters in Germany, would not have existed without the GFA.
In another case, the same framework allowed for a negotiated settlement between local union leaders and company representatives, ending a damaging stalemate. As reported by IG Metall and IndustriALL, these cases show how the GFA worked exactly as it was intended: not as a magic fix, but as a tool for real, persistent, cross-border union collaboration.
Essity: long-term dialogue and tangible results
The GFA with Swedish paper hygiene and health giant, Essity, has created a culture of proactive problem-solving. A regular coordination committee, including Swedish unions, IndustriALL and company management, meets frequently, both online and at headquarters. Thanks to this structure, the GFA has helped resolve cases in New Zealand, Poland, Turkey, Pakistan and more. These include organizing victories, lockout resolutions and improved union-management relations.
This is a benchmark case. The company knows that its global reputation depends on how it treats workers, not just at home, but worldwide.
H&M: supplier accountability, union training, and local monitoring
The GFA between H&M and IndustriALL has led to real improvements for workers in supplier factories — especially through the creation of National Monitoring Committees (NMCs) in key countries like India, Bangladesh, Türkiye, and others.
These committees bring together local unions and H&M representatives to resolve disputes, monitor implementation of the agreement, and tackle issues like gender-based violence in the workplace. In India, joint trainings on peaceful conflict resolution have already helped prevent serious escalations.
Read more about how these committees work: Improving the H&M Global Framework Agreement together
Inditex: breaking deadlocks in the supply chain
Inditex, the owner of brands like Zara and Bershka, created a global union committee with IndustriALL under its GFA. This platform was key in resolving a long-standing issue at the Tanex factory in Romania, where the relationship between unions and management had broken down. Through open dialogue and union pressure, the GFA helped restart negotiations and improve social dialogue.
Read more on the case in Romania here.
Solvay / Syensqo and Anglo American: monitoring and commitment
In the chemical and mining sectors, companies like Solvay/Syensqo and Anglo American have signed strong GFAs and participated in monitoring missions led by IndustriALL and affiliates. These missions hold management accountable and keep the agreements alive — not just on paper, but in practice.
Enel: Union victory through GFA support in Italy
In 2024, workers at the Italian energy giant Enel secured a major win on issues related to remote work and corporate welfare. Italian unions were able to push for change by referencing the company's Global Framework Agreement. With support from IndustriALL and Public Services International (PSI), the unions emphasized Enel's global commitments and called for accountability. The result was a renewed agreement that improved worker consultation and participation in decision-making processes, especially around new technologies and flexible work policies.
Read the full story here.
PSA/Stellantis: union gains in Morocco and Brazil
In Morocco, an IndustriALL affiliate at PSA used the GFA to strengthen union power at the Kenitra plant and receive the official recognition as social partner by the company.
Read the full story here.
Meanwhile, in Brazil, the local union at Stellantis’ Jeep plant in Pernambuco raised concerns about union sidestepping and lack of dialogue. Thanks to coordinated action involving IndustriALL and both local and corporate management, the conflict was resolved and a new collective agreement was signed, significantly improving union access and social dialogue across the site, including in the supplier park.
Airbus: health and safety win in Tunisia
At an Airbus facility in Tunisia, a local union raised concerns about ergonomics and occupational safety. Supported by the GFA and the European Works Council, the issue was escalated and resolved, leading to a major investment in safer equipment, new installations, and better overall workplace conditions.
The struggles are real, but so are the victories
It’s true: not all companies fully uphold their commitments under Global Framework Agreements. In some cases, local management may ignore or undermine the principles agreed to at the global level. When that happens, and workers are denied their rights to organize, bargain collectively or work without fear of retaliation, frustration is completely justified.
These struggles remind us that even the strongest agreements need consistent pressure, coordination and vigilance to be effective. But it’s important to remember that these are the exceptions not the norm.
Too often, isolated failures drown out the many quiet, successful outcomes. That’s why sharing GFA success stories matters. GFAs work when unions work them, and when affiliates collaborate across borders with persistence and solidarity. They require active use, mobilization and ongoing follow-up to deliver the protections they’re meant to provide.
Moving forward: what affiliates can do
GFAs are not just for head offices or union leaders. They are tools for every local union. Here’s how affiliates can make the most of them:
- Know the GFA: understand what your company has committed to. Contact IndustriALL if you’re unsure.
- Report violations early: use the GFA as a framework to escalate unresolved issues.
- Engage in training: participate in workshops and join GFA-related meetings or committees when possible.
- Stay connected: reach out to unions in other countries with the same employer. Share experiences and strategies.
“IndustriALL will continue to negotiate, defend and expand GFAs. We believe in their potential because we’ve seen the results. But GFAs don’t enforce themselves, they live through the daily work of our affiliates and the solidarity that unites us.
When used with power and persistence, a GFA can turn a local fight into a global victory. Let’s keep building that power, together,”
says Høie.
Photo credit: Shutterstock 2460677957