Headlines@IndustriALL #612 The right to strike: the heart of worker empowerment
The right to strike and the right to organize are fundamental pillars of worker empowerment, enshrined in International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98. These rights are essential for workers and unions to protect their interests and assert their power against the enormous economic and political influence of employers. Without the ability to strike, workers are left defenseless in wage negotiations, working conditions, and basic workplace dignity.
At the core of these protections is the right to organize. This right allows employees to unite and advocate collectively on shared issues.
However, in some parts of the world union discrimination is widespread. Even companies that engage in collective bargaining resist unionization efforts where they can, undermining the fundamental rights of their workers. ?
A striking example is the recent action by IndustriALL affiliate United Auto Workers (UAW), which filed federal labour charges against former US President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The charges accuse them of illegally threatening and intimidating workers who stand up for their rights by engaging in strikes. This case underlines the ongoing global struggle for labour rights, even at companies with significant international influence. ?
Tesla, a company notorious for its anti-union stance, employs over 120,000 workers worldwide yet refuses to engage in collective bargaining. Attempts to organize within Tesla have been met with fierce resistance, with Elon Musk himself threatening retaliation against workers who attempt to unionize. This has led to significant tensions with labour unions, particularly in Sweden. ?
Swedish union IF Metall became the first to take action against Tesla's anti-union practices, initiating industrial action on 27 October 2023 in 12 Tesla-owned garages and expanding to 20 more locations. ?
Despite brief negotiations in November last year, Tesla remained steadfast in its refusal to sign a collective agreement. The company’s management has dismissed labour rights, arguing that they are not part of "the company’s concept."?Elon Musk has publicly criticized unions, claiming they create division and negativity within companies. ?
IndustriALL ?general secretary, Atle H?ie, ?says:
“Elon Musk’s business model is one that is designed to avoid respecting human rights. We must defend workers and the rights that they have fought so long for. We stand with the UAW in their fight.”
This conflict is not just about Tesla and its workers—it is a symbol of the broader battle for labour rights and the critical importance of the freedom to organize and strike. Without these rights, workers around the world remain vulnerable to exploitation and injustice. The right to strike is not just a tool—it is a crucial defense that ensures?workers can stand up for themselves and each other.
Peru: Forte Assa Abloy workers demand union rights
Workers at Forte, part of Swedish group Assa Abloy, are calling for respect for freedom of association, collective bargaining and gender pay equity. Workers are also demanding a wage increase, and say that the company refuses to negotiate.
In 2023, Assa Abloy bought the Peruvian padlock and lock manufacturer Forte. Since then, the Grupo Forte workers' union (part of IndustriALL affiliate Fetrimap) has reported difficulties in getting the company to respect the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining. ?
According to the union, the company agreed to a direct settlement phase in July, but did not grant all members of the negotiating committee the necessary minimum conditions to participate in the meetings. As a result, the collective bargaining table for 2024-2025 could not be set up. ?
The union also says that the employer removed wage increases from two workers after they joined the union. In addition, they claim that the company discriminates between its employees in terms of wages: a group of female workers are paid less than their male colleagues, even though they have the same position and tasks ?
The union is demanding:
FETRIMAP's deputy general secretary Julián Alfaro explains:
“The company does not? want to negotiate and is violating the right to freedom of association. We have already filed two complaints with the National Superintendence of Labour Inspection (SUNAFIL) and have appealed to the inspection intelligence department, specializing in freedom of association cases.“
IndustriALL deputy regional secretary Cristian Alejandro Valerio says:
“We urge the Assa Abloy group's Forte company to stop its anti-union behaviour and to enter into negotiations with the union for a genuine social dialogue, and to respond to the workers’ concerns.”
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Botswana: Union fights union busting in the diamond supply chain
Globally, Botswana’s diamond manufacturing supply chain is seen as a shining example of the sector in Africa. But unions say with the current union busting the country’s diamonds are becoming dirty.
In letters written to government departments, including the ministries of labour and social security and home affairs, the Botswana Diamond Workers Union (BDWU)?wants an end to workers’ rights violations on the diamond cutting and polishing supply chain. ?
For instance, the companies employ migrant workers whom they pay low wages are in violation of the immigration and labour laws. The companies also ignore dispute resolution mechanisms. When it comes to?union recruitment and recognition, the companies victimize workers,?while others are dismissed or retrenched for joining their chosen union. Even where the union meets the requirements to be recognised by the employer at the factories,?as per labour laws, often the union must fight the employer for compliance. ?
Although, the BDWU, an IndustriALL affiliate, approached the labour inspectorate to conduct?inspections and assist in resolving the disputes. The union was surprised that the report from the inspections omitted some of the union’s grievances which included deteriorating working conditions in long working hours, non-payment of overtime, and removing benefits without engaging with workers.
For example, at Dharum Cutting Works the employer withdrew attendance bonuses, transport allowances, medical aid, and performance bonus. ?
In the diamond manufacturing industry, there is also non-compliance with occupational health and safety standards, disregarding the employment of locals and skills training, increasing sexual harassment, precarious working conditions in which short contracts were used to deter workers from joining the union, and reduction of wages. Additionally unfair dismissals and retrenchments were common. These?grievances were highlighted at the IndustriALL global diamond network meeting in Lesotho in February, this year. ?
The union’s proposals for social dialogue with?the Diamond Hub, the Botswana Diamond Manufacturers Association, De Beers Botswana, and Business Botswana were ignored. However, the BDWU maintains that social dialogue will assist in improving working conditions. ? The union gave examples of the offending companies which include Venus Jewel Botswana where the labour inspectors intervened for the union to be recognised.
At Yerushalmi Bros Diamond Botswana, where the union has a recognition agreement, there is engagement to end violations. At Dharum Cutting Works Botswana cases of sexual harassment were reported by the union to the ministry of labour. According to a report by the labour inspectorate, at Dharum, a general manager sexually harassed workers through inappropriate touching, unwanted sexual advances, sexual solicitation and overtones and graphic comments. ?
“The diamond cutting and polishing sub-sector needs urgent attention or else our diamonds will be tainted by the increasing workers’ and human rights violations. The union calls upon the ministries of labour and home affairs as well as other relevant departments to act swiftly and ensure compliance on workers’ rights,”
said Dominic Obusitse Mapoka, BDWU chairperson general. ?
Paule France Ndessomin, IndustriALL regional secretary for Sub-Saharan Africa said: ?
“The union busting in the diamond manufacturing in Botswana is appalling. The diamond cutting and polishing companies must respect trade union and workers’ rights. Further, the companies must protect women workers against sexual harassment. We commend the BDWU for a sustained fight for workers’ rights.”?
Rising toll in Pakistan's dangerous mines
Between 7 and 10 August, two miners tragically lost their lives while working at the PMDC Shargh lease and Shargh coal field in Balochistan, Pakistan respectively. On 7 August, a miner fell from a roof and died while on duty. Just days later, on 10 August, another miner was killed in a separate accident.
These incidents are not isolated. Pakistan's mines are notorious for their unsafe working conditions, with miners risking their lives daily. Last year, 29 miners were killed in the coal mines of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and 26 others were injured in blasts. These numbers reflect a deeply troubling reality for those who work in these hazardous environments. ?
On 11 August, the Commissionerate of Mines Labour Welfare in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provided some relief to the affected families, issuing cheques of Rs. 1.2 million (US$14,292) to the families of the deceased miners. Injured miners received compensation between Rs. 500,000 (US$5,955) and Rs. 600,000 (US$7,146) each. Additionally, 16 miners suffering from pulmonary disease, a consequence of their work in the coal mines, were compensated with Rs. 300,000 (US$3,573) each. ?
IndustriALL Global Union has been actively campaigning for the proper implementation of health and safety standards in Pakistan's mining sector, where conditions in unregistered mines are even more dire. Every day, hundreds of mine workers descend into the hazardous depths of Balochistan's mines, facing life-threatening risks due to the lack of safety measures. ?
“These deaths can be prevented if employers and the government take workplace safety seriously. We urge the Pakistan government to immediately ratify ILO C176 as we believe the ratification can be a first step in the direction to ensure proper implementation of safety mechanisms at mining sites in Pakistan,”?
said IndustriALL South Asia regional secretary, Ashutosh Bhattacharya.