COSATU Today Special Bulletin, 12 June 2013
Norman Mampane
COSATU Today Special Bulletin
Our side of the story
Wednesday 12 June 2013
‘Strengthen COSATU for total emancipation’
Contents
Workers’ Parliament
Ø Reminder: Nurses and doctors to march to Mankweng Hospital, Turfloop, on Wednesday, 12th June 2013
Ø NUMSA & FAWU to unveil a programme to fast-track land redistribution in South Africa-11h00 Thursday 13 June 2013, NUMSA Head Office, Newtown
Ø Enabling COSATU Members to Tweet Effectively
South Africa
Ø COSATU’s response to FMF and DA on labour brokers
Ø NEHAWU in the Free State rejects replacement of outsourcing with cooperatives to provide public services
Ø CWUSA calls for urgent intervention on Samro matters and the ill informed decision to commission a sector study by DTI
Ø The Fight against HIV/AIDS
International
Ø Musicians strike a chord against child labour
Ø ILO to publish a new report on child labour in domestic work
Ø International premiere of “Working Class Heroes”
Ø Textile workers reach sectoral agreement in Jordan
Ø ETF fisheries chair to back EJF forced labour report
Ø ILO examines collective bargaining in the public services
Ø Senegal: Education key to eliminating child labour - workshop
Ø Turkish police storm Taksim Square
Ø Unions Look to Organize in Baltic States
Ø ILO: Smaller piece of the pie for workers - financialization to blame
Announcements
Ø WWMP to run Media Training Courses for Trade Union media persons
Ø COSATU Western Cape Vacancy for Provincial Administrator
Ø Media Invitation to NEHAWU 10th National Congress
Ø SADTU vacancy for a Gauteng Provincial Organizer
Ø COSATU skinning in the game of social media-Enabling the trade union movement to nurture a communicative platform
Ø Follow Fred van Leeuwen on Twitter!-EI GS
Ø Follow ITUC Secretary General-Sharan Burrow
Workers’ Parliament!
Reminder: Nurses and doctors to march today at Mankweng Hospital, Turfloop
Kwena Manamela, Provincial Secretary of DENOSA & Dr Phophi Ramathuba: SAMA chairperson for public sector doctors, 12 June 2013
Nurses, under the banner of Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) and doctors from South Africa Medical Association (SAMA) will be embarking on a march to the Mankweng Hospital outside Polokwane on Wednesday, 12 June 2013 at 09h00, together with Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), South African Council of Churches (SACC), retired nurses and COSATU in the province concerning the challenges at the hospital.
The march will mark the official launch of a Positive Practice Environment (PPE) campaign in the province, which is a call for a safer and conducive environment in healthcare facilities for health professionals to work under as well as for patients to recuperate.
A report released by the Sowetan in February this year revealed that 535 patients died at Mankweng hospital within a period of four months, while 20 babies died in a space of a week.
The report also revealed that bodies were rotting at the hospital due to broken fridges while patients were eating pap and chicken as their daily meal due to non-supply of food which could help patients in their recovery.
Informed by these sad anomalies in the county’s healthcare facilities which often result in the shifting of the blame towards healthcare workers at these hospitals, DENOSA and SAMA are embarking on the campaign as a way for health workers to express the conditions they work under, which are beyond their control.
By coming together and holding hands with community members under the banner of the PPE campaign, the march is aimed at voicing out the concerns of both healthcare workers as well as community members in the province about the conditions in healthcare, which are highly characterised by, among other things, lack of safety; non-payment of both suppliers and health workers; interrupted supplies of equipment, medication and food to hospitals; shortage of both human and financial resources to enable health workers to function properly.
The march will start from the Mankweng Police station, and proceed to Mankweng Hospital Recreation Hall, where the launch of the campaign will take place.
Members of the media are invited to attend the march and report on it.
The details of the event are the following:
When: Wednesday 12 June 2013
Where: Mankweng Hospital (March will start at Mankweng Police Station)
Time: 09h00 – 15h00
The PPE campaign calls for the following elements in our healthcare facilities:
Safety; Payment of workers and suppliers; enough and functional resources; enough and functional equipment; Education to ensure continuous professional development; Supplies of all necessary equipment and medication on time; Support of staff in health; Respect for the profession.
As a result of many incidents in health facilities in the province, the relationship between health workers and communities has been soured recently. For example, after four babies died at George Masebe hospital early in January this year, the community around that hospital marched to the hospital to demand answers from doctors.
The campaign says it is time health workers and community members played a key role, as major stakeholders, in the problems besieging health in the province.
To RSVP, contact Kwena Manamela, DENOSA Provincial Secretary in Limpopo on 082 776 0971 or 015 297 5033
Or
Sibongiseni Delihlazo, DENOSA Communications Manager, 079 875 2663
Issued by DENOSA and SAMA
For more information, contact:
Kwena Manamela, Provincial Secretary of DENOSA in the province: 082 776 0971 or 015 297 5033
Email: dan...@denosa.org.za
OR
Dr Phophi Ramathuba: SAMA chairperson for public sector doctors: 082 903 8498
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NUMSA & FAWU to unveil a programme to fast-track land redistribution in South Africa-11h00 Thursday 13 June 2013, NUMSA Head Office, Newtown
Castro Ngobese, National Spokesperson & FAWU Media Officer, 12 June 2013
IRVIN JIM, National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) General Secretary and MOLEKO PHAKEDI, Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU) Deputy General Secretary, will address members of the media on Thursday 13 June 2013, starting at 11h00am at Numsa Head Office, 153 Bree (Cnr. Gerard Sekoto) Street, Newtown in Gauteng province.
The purpose of the press conference is to publicly unveil a detailed Programme of Action (PoA) that NUMSA and FAWU will undertake to exert pressure that will lead to fast-tracking of land redistribution in the country.
Both NUMSA and FAWU have a direct interest in agrarian transformation in South Africa, since FAWU organizes workers in farms, agro-processing and food production sectors; while NUMSA organizes workers in factories that manufacture agricultural implements.
On 26 May 2013, the national leadership of FAWU and that of the NUMSA held a bilateral meeting where both unions agreed in principle to use the centenary of the 1913 Native Land Act to launch a campaign aimed at fast-tracking land redistribution in the country.
On 08-09 June 2013, joint NUMSA/FAWU Workshops on Land and Agrarian Transformation were held across the country to prepare for the National Day of Action and to endorse the joint campaign by the two unions.
The details of the Press Conference are as follows:
DATE: Thursday 13 June 2013
TIME: 11H00am
VENUE: NUMSA Head Office, 153 Bree (Cnr. Gerard Sekoto) Street, Newtown Johannesburg, Gauteng province
Members of the media are hereby invited to attend and report.
Contact:
Castro Ngobese
National Spokesperson
Cell: 0810111137
Tel: 0116891700
Email: cas...@numsa.org.za
____________________________________________________________
Enabling COSATU Members to Tweet Effectively
Introduction to COSATU Official Twitter Accounts
Ø @COSATU2015
Official tweets on current affairs, ideological disposition and for a Question & Answer platform
Ø @COSATU TODAY _cosatu
Seconds- COSATU roving official tweets on events, quotable sound-bites on speeches/interviews, newsflash etc.
How to Register a COSATU Member Twitter Account
Ø Go Google and type twitter/sign up
Ø Versions of name/surname must be completed
Ø Choose a username/password and don’t forget them
Ø Update your profile; picture, bio
o Picture size should be 700k
o Bio-short narrative who you are
Ø Examples of Bio; Africa's largest Federation Official tweets, the home of the toiling classes across the world, with more than 2million membership...Amandla! Johannesburg, South Africa · http://www.cosatu.org.za
Ø Choose who to follow and type @cosatu2015 and @COSATU TODAY _cosatu
Ø And you’re skinning in the game through COSATU tweets
Communicating messages that matter is like artwork
Social Media generation is here and is unavoidable
‘Let’s skin in the game of COSATU Tweets’
South Africa
COSATU’s response to FMF and DA on labour brokers
Patrick Craven, National Spokesperson, 11 June 2013
The Congress of South African Trade Unions totally rejects the argument, advanced by the Free Market Foundation (FMF) and their political allies, the Democratic Alliance (DA), that “job seekers should defend labour brokers because they create jobs”.
The DA claimed in a statement on 7 June 2013 that “the banning of labour brokers would result in the loss of employment for over 850,000 people currently employed by labour brokers”.
“Instead of destroying jobs through unwise labour legislation,” said FMF chairperson Herman Mashaba, on 10 June 2013, “the government should be exploring every possible way to increase the demand for labour”.
Both statements are made in response to the proposal by ANC members of the parliamentary portfolio committee on labour to change the definition of the Labour Relations Act relating to temporary employment from “six months” to “zero months”, which, claim the FMF, “would effectively end labour broking”, exactly what COSATU has been demanding.
Nothing less than a total ban will be acceptable. COSATU fervently hopes that the view of the ANC parliamentarians is voted into law, but is waiting for the result of the vote before celebrating what would be a historic victory for workers.
As the federation has repeatedly pointed out, it is a lie that labour brokers “create jobs”. Only those companies actively involved in production and service delivery create jobs. And they will still need the same number of workers as before. Labour brokers merely act as intermediaries to access jobs that already exist, and which in many cases would previously have been permanent full-time jobs.
Generally the labour broker and the so-called ‘client’ firm, negotiate a price for which stipulated labour services will be supplied for a given period, while the true suppliers of labour (the workers) are excluded from this process, thereby undermining their rights to negotiate their wages and employment terms.
The ‘client’ companies are absolved of any responsibility to ensure that these workers receive the wages and benefits to which they are entitled. It saves them from paying UIF, medical aids and pension funds, all of which the labour broker theoretically takes care of, in return for a fat fee from the client, which is supposed to cover these statutory benefits.
But the lion’s share of this fee is creamed off as profit for the broker, while most of the workers employed by the labour brokers not only earn poverty wages but do not enjoy pension fund/provident funds, medical aid benefits, etc.
The employers dump these workers into the government social security system, thereby increasing the state burden to provide for them in their retirement. This means the taxpayers are subsidising the employers to make super profits.
Labour brokers do not practise the principle of equal pay for work of equal value and their workers work longer hours and work on Sundays and public holidays without any compensation.
Labour broker are also anti-trade union. Because their workers are constantly being moved around from one workplace to another within short periods, often with no access to union officials or the possibility of stop-order deductions for union subscriptions, they find it very hard to join a union or to remain members.
Brokers also contribute to the progressive de-skilling of workers, especially as a result of the short-term and irregular nature of the contracts associated with labour brokering and other forms of atypical labour.
Apart from undermining collective bargaining rights, labour brokers also provide scab labour and therefore serve as strike breakers!
That is why COSATU calls labour brokering a modern form of slavery, equivalent to the trading of human beings as commodities.
And it is getting worse. The latest Adcorp Employment Index for May 2013 (though its statistics have to be treated with suspicion since Adcorp itself is a labour broker) suggests that labour broking is the fastest-growing sector of the South African labour market.
They claim that labour brokers constitute a R44 billion industry employing around 19 500 internal staff and just over one million agency workers or temps and that it now constitutes 7.5% of total employment in South Africa, and it is likely to grow further.
The FMF mislead the public when it says: “Unemployed people face great difficulties in finding jobs. Labour brokers provide a valuable service in finding employment for them.”
“Finding employment” is a service already provided by employment agencies, which merely act as go-betweens between employers and job-seekers, and help to recruit individual workers for genuine employers.
They play an important function and will not be affected by the legislation. FMF is opportunistically misrepresenting the position on these bodies and confusing them with labour brokers in order to gain the moral high ground.
COSATU rejects with contempt the argument that the only route to full employment is for workers to accept labour brokers, lower wages and no hope of a secure job. Poverty is already at an outrageous level.
If the DA and the FMF friends have their way, millions more workers will be plunged into poverty and despair, and we will be on our way to a national catastrophe.
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NEHAWU in the Free State rejects replacement of outsourcing with cooperatives to provide public services
Bereng Soke, NEHAWU Free State Provincial Secretary,11 June 2013
NEHAWU is deeply concerned by the reports that the Free State provincial government is planning to introduce cooperatives to replace the contracted private companies that provide public services.
This follows the statements by Mr. Duma from the Premier’s office, who said that they are looking at introducing cooperatives to replace outsourcing.
We want to make it clear as a union that, we are totally opposed to this concept and will mobilise our members and other stakeholders to campaign against it.
We are deeply concerned that Mr. Duma made these public statements without consulting the task team established by the Premier to deal with in-sourcing of cleaning, catering and security services in the province.
This unilateralism undermines the cohesion and the integrity of the task team. This is made worse by the fact that Mr. Duma is the administrative coordinator of the task team. His actions go against the Premier’s call for the in-sourcing of outsourced public services as part of creating decent work and strengthening of the public service in order to improve service delivery to our people.
The ANC 53rd National Conference was very clear in addressing this question when it said that “Critical services such as cleaning services, security services, food services and laundry services and linen supply must be provided in-house and not be outsourced.” This then proves that Mr. Duma is acting against the resolutions of the ruling party and we expect the Free State Premier, Comrade Ace Magashule, as one of the custodians of Mangaung resolutions in the province, to distance himself from these statements.
We are currently mobilising our members to continue with the struggle against outsourcing in the province and to also campaign against Mr Duma’s idea of replacing outsourcing with cooperatives. We call on the Premier to convene the task team, so we can clear this matter and further engage on the following:
- Progress report on in-sourcing of cleaning services at Universitas Hospital, National Hospital, Phekolong Hospital and Nketoana Hospital.
- Progress report on in-sourcing of catering including where such contracts had already expired
- Progress report on the in-sourcing of security services across the province.
- Progress report on in-sourcing of cleaners in clinics and other departments
NEHAWU as a key role player in the public service is proud to lead a progressive agenda with coalition partners towards transforming the entire public service.
We will continue to lead the struggle for improved remunerations, better working conditions and improved service delivery.
Issued by NEHAWU Secretariat Office
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CWUSA calls for urgent intervention on Samro matters and the ill informed decision to commission a sector study by DTI
Eugene Mthethwa - Acting General Secretary – CWUSA, 11 June 2013
It is disheartening to see so many things going astray in the sector when we ought to be talking unity on urgent matters of commonality.
Whilst amused by the manner in which SAMRO is run as a family business, in particular the appointment of the CEO clandestinely, CWUSA is met yet by another act of insensitivity to the plight of the poor members, who are copyright owners, who often die in poverty stricken conditions and yet their works continue to accumulate wealth worth bettering the lives of the borrowers and holders of their rights.
We have been informed of SAMRO’s mismanagement of composers funds, SAMRO management traveling business class to conferences oversees whilst majority of SAMRO members, who are rightfully the beneficiaries of the collections made, die poor with a funeral cover less than R10 000, a fee far less than what a funeral would cost today.
A business class air ticket would cost over R100 000 and yet both passengers sitting in the economy and business class arrive at the intended destination at the same time and equally safe.
It is quite surprising that when such tendencies occur in government, there is often an outcry, but when such happens in places like SAMRO, it becomes a particular group`s issue to address, isn’t that hypocritical?
What is even more appalling about this behavior, is that not long ago low-earning staff members were kept outside the gates of SAMRO when they were rightfully fighting for better remuneration against authoritative adjustments made without negotiations, under the false pretense of trying to provide incentives for quality work and minimizing the unnecessary admin costs.
Yet the very manager under which these affected staff members were reporting to, has since been promoted for failing to supervise her team to deliver par excellence.
As CWUSA we re-emphasize our call for speedy intervention regarding SAMRO that is known to be arrogant in responding to such questions genuinely posed out of concern. SAMRO is an entity regulated under South African company laws and therefore subject to remedial processes that other companies especially those in the finance are subjected to. There are life savings of members that are now at risk of disappearing.
We call upon an external forensic audit to locate the monies spent outside the core mandate of SAMRO as a collecting society before SAMRO is declared bankrupt or liquidated like in the case of SARRAL., and leave many members destitute.
Second to that, it is the issue of studies over studies that government departments responsible for the arts sector are continuously embarking on without any tangible outcomes or implementation.
Of concern currently, it is yet another study commissioned by the Department of Trade and Industry, having appointed Jonathan Shaw`s company to do another research/study of the sector, without a transparent process that informed the sector of such intentions.
We demand that the process be halted and an investigation be done as to what informed the commissioning of such a study when the department has not reported on the projects, it has been running since the last meeting with the sector.
We further demand that both Parliamentary Portfolio Committees on Trade and Industry, and on Arts and Culture must call upon the departments to account on these matters.
Failing of which, we shall have no other option but to approach the Public Protector to come to our rescue, as these actions have deprived us as a sector, better living conditions in a country that proclaims constitutional rights as the supreme law above all laws.
Solidarity forever!
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The Fight against HIV/AIDS
Jackson Mthembu, ANC National Spokesperson, 11 June 2013
The African National Congress congratulates the Government and people of South Africa on the successes recorded in the fight again HIV/AIDS as contained in the United Nations (UN) report presented by its Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, yesterday, 10 June 2013.
The report which reviews the Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS adopted by the General Assembly in 2011, notes that while Sub-Saharan Africa remains the worst-affected region by the effects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Aids related deaths in South Africa had significantly dropped over the last 3 years.
We have no doubt this decrease in Aids deaths in South Africa is a direct result of the ANC government`s successful HIV/ AIDS treatment programmes over, particularly, the last 5 years.
Amongst the key interventions has been the massive voluntary counseling and testing campaign ensuring that millions of people now know their status and where necessary get treatment.
The ANC government has made antiretroviral (ARV) treatment available to more people and earlier ensuring that our people are able to commence treatment once the CD4 count is at 350 or below. In an effort to reduce mother-to-child transmission, all pregnant women are tested for HIV/AIDS and if infected, receive treatment immediately thus saving over 300 000 babies from the pandemic and increasing life expectancy from 50 to 60 in the last 3 years.
Without a doubt, the decisive interventions above speak clearly to the ANC`s stance to protecting and safeguarding the right to life.
Our humble beginnings in the fight against the HIV/ AIDS pandemic have indeed borne dividends as acknowledged by the United Nations, the World Health Organisation and other bodies.
Issued by:
Jackson Mthembu
National Spokesperson
African National Congress
International
Musicians strike a chord against child labour
ILO, 11 June 2013
As the world marks World Day against Child Labour on June 12th, the musical world pledges to bring the issue centre stage.
Some of the world’s leading musicians have partnered with the International Labour Organization in an initiative to combat child labour.
The “Music against Child Labour Initiative” calls for orchestras, choirs and musicians of all genres worldwide to dedicate one concert in their planned repertoire, between October 2013 and December 2014, to the struggle against child labour.
Supporters include the renowned conductors Claudio Abbado, José-Antonio Abreu, Daniel Barenboim, the Mozart Orchestra, the International Federation of Musicians, and Fundación Musical Simon Bolivar El Sistema.
They are launching the “call to batons” at a concert at the Salle Pleyel in Paris today, June 11. Signatories to their campaign manifesto point to the 215 million children worldwide who are trapped in child labour.
The manifesto highlights the transformative power of music and the positive effects of engaging vulnerable girls and boys in musical activity. Music, it says can play its part in easing their suffering.
“Music – in all its forms– is a universal language. Although we sing in every tongue, it also expresses emotions we cannot say in words. It links us all. Together, the world of music can raise its voice and instruments against child labour,” it adds.
The opening day of the upcoming Third Global Conference against Child Labour in Brasilia on 8 October, will mark the start of a series of concerts as part of the Initiative.
A new module on music education will be included in an ILO programme, Supporting Child Rights through Education, the Arts and the Media. A documentary film on the power of music education to contribute to combating child labour will also be developed in the coming months.
“We very much welcome this partnership with musicians around the world,” said Constance Thomas, Director of the ILO’s International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour.
The first signatories of the Manifesto are Claudio Abbado; José-Antonio Abreu; Alessio Allegrini ; Daniel Barenboim; Benoît Machuel, General Secretary of the International Federation of Musicians (FIM); Diego Matheuz ; Eduardo Mendez, Executive Director of the Fundación Musical Simon Bolivar El Sistema ; Antonio Mosca ; Musicians for Human Rights ; Guy Ryder, Director-General, ILO; and Blasko Smileski, General Secretary of Jeunesses Musicales International. |
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ILO to publish a new report on child labour in domestic work
ILO, 11 June 2013
GENEVA – This year’s annual World Day against Child Labour (12 June) will put the spotlight on the plight of child labourers in domestic work.
On this occasion, the ILO will release a new report: “Ending child labour in domestic work: Protecting young workers in domestic work from abuse and exploitation”.
The new study provides figures on the number of children involved in domestic work. It also shows how they are often vulnerable to physical, psychological and sexual violence and abusive working conditions.
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International premiere of “Working Class Heroes”
Teresa Marshall, PSI Communications Coordinator, 12 June 2013
FNV Mondiaal will screen the international premiere of “Working Class Heroes”, at the ILO on 13 June, a documentary uncovering the struggles of trade unionists in Indonesia and Colombia.
What: Documentary, “Working Class Heroes” (57 min)
Where: Cinema Room at the International Labour Organization (ILO), 4 route des Morillons, 1202 Geneva
When: Thursday 13 June, from 13.30 to 14.30 (entry is free)
Working Class Heroes is a dual portrait of trade union leaders, both in Indonesia and in Colombia. The union leaders Said Iqbal and Igor Karel Diaz from IndustriALL affiliated Sintracarbón of Colombia have, for many years and with considerable success, devoted themselves to securing labour rights for their fellow mineworkers.
This documentary was produced by filmmakers, Huub Ruijgrok and Arno van Beest, in collaboration with FNV Mondiaal from the Netherlands.
The right to organize and right to bargain collectively are international human rights, which most countries have signed up to. Countries are also bound to respect these basic rights as members of the ILO. However, trade unions experience great opposition in many countries when they attempt to exercise these rights.
Indonesia and Colombia are two examples of this. Although they are emerging economies, workers benefit little from the economic growth. Unions that want to put union rights in practice meet fierce opposition.
See Working Class Heroes trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9AvGXh_G08
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Textile workers reach sectoral agreement in Jordan
Anita Gardner, IndustriALL Global Union Director of Communications, 12 June 2013
After a year of struggle IndustriALL's Jordanian affiliate, the General Trade Union of Workers in Textile, Garment & Clothing Industries, reached a sectoral agreement with the two employers’ associations: Jordan Garments, Accessories & Textiles Exporters’ Association and the Association of owners of Factories, workshops and Garments.
The agreement stresses the right to organize and non-discrimination of trade unionists at the workplace. It supports the creation of a positive environment for social dialogue.
The agreement also insists on the strengthening of health and safety at the workplace with union participation. The rights of contract workers and migrants who compose the majority of the garment workforce in Jordan are specified in the contract.
Fathallah Omrani, President of the General Trade Union of Workers in Textile, Garment & Clothing Industries said,
this is a historical achievement and will help secure the continuity of textile and garment industry in Jordan while providing better working conditions.
He also said that workers in other sectors should aim at getting similar agreements.
In light of the recent tragedies in garment factories in Bangladesh where the lack of freedom of association and the rights to collective bargaining prevented the unions from denying entrance of workers in unsafe building, this is a timely development.
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ETF fisheries chair to back EJF forced labour report
International Transport Workers’ Federation, 11 June 2013
Juan Trujillo, president of the ETF (European Transport Workers’ Federation) fisheries section, will speak today in support of a report into abuses in the fishing industry and the need forreform and enforcement.
The Environmental Justice Federation (EJF) is holding a press conference today to introduce its report Sold to the sea: human trafficking in Thailand's fishing Industry(www.ejfoundation.org/soldtotheseafilm) in Spain. It will be held at 12 :30 at the Sede de la Secretaría General de Pesca, C/ Velázquez, Nº 147 – 28071, Madrid.
Trujillo, who is also fisheries secretary of the maritimesection of the FSC-CC.OO and member of the ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) fisheries task force, will be one of the speakers at the press conference. He will state that: “The ratification by the (Spanish) government of the ILO’s (International Labour Organization’s) Work in Fishing convention number 188 would provide an effective tool to combat human trafficking, forced labour in the sector and illegal fishing.”
He will continue: “We call on the Spanish government to ratify this convention, which was adopted by the 2007 International Labour Conference and which provides an essential tool to promote the socio-economic development of the sector. The Spanish delegation at that conference was made up of representatives of the Spanish government; the General Union of Workers (UGT), Workers’ Commissions (CC.OO); Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations (CEOE); and the Spanish Confederation of Small and Medium Enterprises (CEPYME), and it voted unanimously to adopt the convention.”
ETF fisheries section secretary Livia Spera also welcomed the report, saying: “Negotiations for a free-trade agreement between the EU and Thailand have just started. The ETF is working, also through its contribution to the recommendations issued by the Regional Advisory Councils (RACs), to draw the European Commission’s attention to the findings of the EJF report. We see these negotiations as a unique occasion to contribute deterring forced labour in fisheries. Thailand is one of the major exporters for fish and seafood and the signature of a free trade agreement should be conditional to a clear engagement from the Thai government to fight forced labour and ensure respect of labour rights in the sector.”
Liz Blackshaw, programme leader for the joint ITF/IUF (International Union of Food Workers) from catcher to counter initiative, added: “In lifting the lid on what is happening in Thailand this new report also helps expose what is happening to fishers worldwide, and the desperateneed for more countries to ratify convention 188 and act to prevent these terrible and ongoing abuses.”
For more details please contact
ITF. Sam Dawson, ITF press and editorial manager. Tel: +44 (0)20 7940 9260. Email: dawso...@itf.org.uk
ETF. Livia Spera, political secretary for dockers and fisheries. Tel: +32 (0)2 285 46 68. Email:l.s...@etf-europe.org
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ILO examines collective bargaining in the public services
Education International, 11 June 2013
“EI welcomes the useful and clear reaffirmation of the right to collective bargaining for public sector teachers, whether or not they are appointed as civil servants, by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations,” has stated EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen at the 102nd Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC).
“EI had hoped for a stronger set of recommendations, particularly focusing on the need for the international financial institutions responsible for austerity measures to respect ILO Conventions. However, we are confident that ILO will follow-up the discussion by adopting a substantive tripartite capacity building programme on collective bargaining with the active participation of interested global unions,” he added.
“It was high-time that the ILC gave attention to collective bargaining in the public sector. It has been over 30 years since the adoption of the relevant Conventions and I hope we will not wait so long again for a follow-up review,” he concluded.
The general survey report of the Committee of Experts entitled “Collective Bargaining in the Public Service: a Way Forward” reviewed the effective application of ILO Conventions 151 and 154 on labour relations and collective bargaining in the public service. It was examined at the ILO Conference Committee on the Application of Standards on 7 June.
In his address to the Conference Committee, Jose Antonio Zepeda Lopez, EI Regional Executive Committee member and workers’ representative for Nicaragua, stated: “Workers welcome the report because it highlights the linkages between civil liberties and trade union rights and the positive contribution of collective bargaining to the provision of quality public services and democracy. Collective bargaining also contributes to the fight against corruption and the promotion of equality.”
“The report identifies a global expansion in collective bargaining, particularly in Latin America, though the situation is deteriorating in other countries. Teachers are under severe attack in some countries for defending their rights,” he concluded.
Union leaders from France, Ireland, UK, Australia and Colombia among others highlighted the increased incidence of precarious work and anti-union practices in the public sector, the lack of genuine political will and the continuous resort to compulsory arbitration and legislation to impose draconian cuts on wages and other conditions. Many noted these were ideologically driven reforms and that the economic crisis has been used as a justification to privatise public services and impose restrictions on collective bargaining or revoke existing collective agreements.
The Irish Trade Union Congress spokesperson recalled that the Committee of Experts stated that collective agreements in force must be respected and called for the international financial institutions to respect ILO Conventions when they agree austerity packages with governments.
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions condemned the lack of bargaining rights for public sector workers. In the case of the Korean Teachers’ Union, their registration has been cancelled and they risk severe punishments if they take collective action.
Dorte Lange, from the Danish Union of Teachers, spoke about the recent 4 week-long employer lock out of all public education teachers, which was ended by a decree law. She explained that prior to the negotiating round in 2012, the local authorities had agreed with the Ministries of Education and Finance that there must be changes in working hours and they were determined to impose their positions.
“This is the first time that the government as legislator only listens to one party when introducing a bill to end a legal action,” she said. “The principles of autonomy have been laid aside. The public employer seems to think that it can change salaries and terms of conditions which trade unions have achieved over decades with just a flick of a finger.”
EI had set out a number of recommendations to government and the ILO for follow-up on the general survey which were integrated into the Workers’ Group statements.
The workers group spokesperson, Marc Leemans, called for government action to increase ratification of the Conventions 151 and 154. He also recommended that the ILO adopt a four-year integrated action programme on the promotion of collective bargaining in the public sector.
The report on the outcome of the discussions was discussed at the Committee on Social Dialogue on June 8th and will be adopted at the Plenary of the International Labour Conference.
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Senegal: Education key to eliminating child labour - workshop
Education International, 11 June 2013
Eradicating child labour and improving the quality of education are inextricably linked.
That’s according to Marième Sakho Dansokho, EI Executive Board member and General Secretary of SYPROS. She was speaking at EI’s “Omar's Dream” workshops on 3-4 June in Dakar, Senegal. The workshops explored the contribution teaching unions can make to establishing child labour free zones in five countries: Ghana, Mali, Morocco, Senegal and Uganda. The project to achieve this will run for 16 months from March 2013 to June 2014.
You cannot separate quality education from equal access to education for all
”Both primary and secondary teachers and their trade unions have a vital and specific part to play in stamping out child labour, along with politicians, government leaders, employers and international financial institutions,” said Sakho Dansokho.
She added that EI and its affiliates were also poised to celebrate the World Day against Child Labour on 12 June worldwide.
Project to create child labour free zones
The project’s key aims are:
• To enable teaching unions in the five countries to join the existing "Omar’s Dream" coalition to create child labour free zones
• To build the capacity of teaching unions to help drive progress towards eliminating child labour through support activities and exchanges
• To raise awareness of child labour and the importance of education at local, regional, national and international levels
The project sets out to deliver these aims in four ways:
1. National workshopsto enable teaching unions that join existing alliances to get to know the "Omar’s Dream" project; discuss and commit to the project guidelines, agreed measures and communication, and the expected outcomes.
2. A sub-regional workshopto enable the five target countries’ national coordinators to share their experiences. The sub-regional workshop will be held after all the national assessment workshops have been held.
3. Participation in conferences and exchange programmesto support and share best practices. Attendance at the international Conference,"Out of Work, Into School - Working towards Child Labour Free Zones” (Uganda, 18-19 April 2013).
The workshop attendees re-emphasised that education and child labour are inextricably linked. Preventing and eliminating child labour and improving the availability and quality of education are key factors in developing child labour free zones - areas where every child goes to school and no longer has to work.
Broadly speaking, child labour rises when spending on education declines and policies to promote inclusion for those excluded from the education system are lacking.
Teachers are key actors in the fight against child labour
Teachers in Ghana, Mali, Morocco, Senegal and Uganda are well-placed through their unions to act against child labour. Teachers are in daily contact with children (child labourers, former child labourers and children at risk) so they can easily keep an eye on them. They can talk to these children to explain the importance of attending school and finishing their education, and the danger that child labour represents for them and their future. Cutting school dropout rates will also help to significantly reduce the incidence of child labour in a particular community.
Also, as trade unionists, teachers can have a decisive input into the framing of national education policies. As social partners, teaching unions must be consulted on education policymaking. This puts teachers among the foremost advocates for better laws and policies in education systems, including beefing up national policies on child labour through the promotion of compulsory education, universal access, free quality education for all, or defending support programmes.
You can read the EI Resolution on child labour adopted at the 6th World Congress in 2011 here.
http://pages.ei-ie.org/library/fr/libraries/detail/173
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Richard Elliott, UNI global union, Director of Communications, 11 June 2013 |
Council of Global Unions calls on Turkey’s Prime Minister Erdogan to start dialogue with Turkish people. UNI General Secretary offers protestors in Turkey support via Twitter during news blackout. | |
Turkish police have stormed Taksim Square in Istanbul and fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protestors causing them to flee to neighbouring Gezi Park. The move is another sign that Prime Minister Erdogan's government intends to continue the crackdown against the demonstrators despite Erdogan agreeing to meet with their leaders tomorrow. Read the statement here Trade unionists in Turkey have joined a broad group of protestors which includes students and young people from the country’s growing middle class. Erdogan claims the demonstrations will die out but are in fact spreading across the country. The spark for the mass demonstrations was the police crack down on activists defending Taksim Square and Gezi Park from developers. The historic site is earmarked for a shopping mall which critics say would be a blot on the landscape and not respect Turkish heritage. The protestors took to Twitter to get their message to the outside world during a news black out over the demonstrations and police brutality. Erdogan described the micro-blogging site as a “menace” and a way of “disseminating lies”. More than 30 protestors have been arrested for using Twitter to alert the world to the crisis.
Jennnings wrote on Twitter as the crisis broke last Saturday evening, “Overwhelmed by messages from Turkey where there is a news shutdown, local people think the world does not know, they do, Turkey not alone.” Referring to CNN Turk’s initial decision to ignore the protests Jennings tweeted, “So first they hit you, then they gas you, then they arrest you, then they stop you tweeting, this is no life for a penguin, | |
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Richard Elliott, UNI global union, Director of Communications, 11 June 2013 |
Assisted by the Belgian Union CGSLB and UNI, unions look to organize in Estonia and Latvia | |
The Belgian Trade Union CGSLB organized a 2 day course of union development and cooperation in the Estonian capital of Tallinn. 6 Belgian trade unionists, 2 organizers from UNI affiliate GMB and an Organizer from UNI Property Services spent the 2 days working with activists from the trade unions EKTA (Estonia) and LAKRS (Latvia). | |
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Richard Elliott, UNI global union, Director of Communications, 11 June 2013 |
| Between 1999 and 2011 average labour productivity in developed economies rose more than twice as much as average wages. Financial globalization may have played a bigger role than previously thought. |
In its Global Wages Report 2012-13 the ILO revisits the "usual suspects" for the lower share of profits going to wages and produces new evidence: | |
Announcements
WWMP to run Media Training Courses for Trade Union media persons
Martin Jansen, Director/Editor, Workers’ World Media Productions, 12 June 2013
Dear Comrades
You are hereby invited to apply to the WWMP Media Training course taking place at our training facility in Braamfontein, Johannesburg during 16 – 20 September 2013.
The course is aimed at full-time trade union media officers, including office-bearers who need to deepen and broaden their knowledge of the media landscape as well as sharpen their skills in areas of your work such as press releases, radio and TV interviews etc. It is a relatively advanced course that will draw upon experienced media educators and personalities in the field to put you through your paces such Siki Mgabadeli and Jeremy Maggs.
Please find our training brochure detailing more about the course at our website www.wwmp.co.za or call the office and the cost as well as the application form for you to complete and send to us once you’ve gotten the consent from your union for attendance and payment.
Please note that only 20 participants will be allowed on the course and you are advised to apply soonest.
Yours in labour education.
Martin Jansen
Director/Editor
Workers’ World Media Productions
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COSATU Western Cape Vacancy for Provincial Administrator
The Congress of South Africa Trade Unions [COSATU] has a vacant position of the Administrator in its Cape Town Provincial office.
The successful candidate will be responsible for the smooth running of the provincial office and finances.
Functions include;
1. Task related to reception;
· Answer switchboard and take messages
· Receive visitors and direct them to the relevant office/person
· Assists workers who might need advice
2. Tasks related to finances
· Prepare financial statements for the approval of the Provincial Executive Committee or Provincial Congress
· Submit financial statements to the Provincial Accountant at Head Office
· Prepare cheques with necessary requisition forms and supporting documents to be approved by the Provincial Secretary and signed by the office bearers
· Control, record, reconcile and account for all petty cash of the Province in terms of the Federation Financial policy
· Record copies of all financial records of the Federation in safe files
· Collect all necessary documentation from the bank from time to time
· Deposit all monies received on behalf of the Federation within three 930 days of actual receipt
3. Administrative tasks
· Type and write all notices, reports and minutes of the constitutional meetings that might be called by the Provincial Secretary or other Federation’s officials
· Do all logistical tasks for the office
· Attend PEC and RC and /or any other meetings as may be requested by the Provincial Secretary
· Coordinate Gender
· Collect mail from the post and bank
· In consultation with the administrative Secretary, order station for the office
· Develop a filling system
4. Other
· Keep the office surroundings tidy and in clean conditions
Requirements
· A level 4 NQF qualification with a minimum of 5 years experience in Trade Union work or in non-governmental organization in an equivalent job
· Bookkeeping
· Understanding of South African Labour Laws
· Good administrative skills
· Be computer literate
· Numeracy and literacy skills
· Be proficient in English
· Be prepared to work unlimited hours
All applications should be sent before 14th June 2013 with detailed CV and contactable references to:
The COSATU General Secretary c/o Khanyisile Fakude
Email to :Khany...@cosatu.org.za
Please not that communication will only be made to those who will be shortlisted.
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Media Invitation to NEHAWU 10th National Congress
Sizwe Pamla, NEHAWU Media Liaison Officer, 12 June 2013
The NATIONAL EDUCATION, HEALTH AND ALLIED WORKER’S UNION {NEHAWU} will be holding its 10th National Congress from the 26th -29th June 2013, at Birchwood Hotel ,Benoni ,Gauteng under the theme:”BUILD STRONG WORKPLACE ORGANISATION,CLASS CONSCIOUSNESS AND INTERNATIONALISM”.
The National Congress is the highest decision making body of the union that has the powers to adopt new resolutions and elect new National Office Bearers{NOB}.
Delegates from all structures of the union will attend and assess the progress that has been made by the union in implementing its resolutions since the last congress that was held in 2010.
The congress will also pass the new resolutions and map the way forward for the next three years.
The gathering will be addressed by the tripartite alliance leaders{ ANC,SACP and COSATU} and other international fraternal organisations.
The 10th National Congress is scheduled as follows:
Ø Date : 26-29 June 2013
Ø Venue : Birchwood Hotel {Gauteng}
Members of the media are invited to attend, cover and report on the congress. To confirm attendance, journalists are requested to send their responses to the National Spokesperson: siz...@nehawu.org.za
The following information should be included in the confirmation reply for accreditation and logistical purposes.
Ø NAME AND SURNAME
Ø MEDIA INSTITUTION
Ø E-MAIL AND CONTACTDETAILS
Issued by NEHAWU Secretariat
For further information, please contact:Sizwe Pamla {NEHAWU Media Liaison Officer} at 011 833 2902- 082 558 5962 or email siz...@nehawu.org.za
Visit NEHAWU website: www.nehawu.org.za
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SADTU vacancy for a Gauteng Provincial Organizer
SOUTH AFRICAN DEMOCRATIC TEACHERS’ UNION (SADTU)
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) has the following vacancy at its Provincial Office in Gauteng.
Provincial Organising Secretary
This is a senior position within the organisation and only experienced persons need to apply.
The above incumbent will be required to perform the following duties:
- Develop a provincial recruitment campaign/ strategy for all education institutions
- Organise and attend to launches of union structures in all institutions, e.g. schools, colleges, universities
- Ensure the smooth running of the organising department
- Represent union members at different forums
- Develop capacity within the structures of the union
- Assist with conducting elections within the union structures
Qualifications
- Post Matric qualification and or relevant experience
- +/- 3 years organising experience
- Thorough understanding of the trade union movement in SA
Other requirements
- Good negotiation and bargaining skills
- Computer literacy (MS Office)
- Ability to work under pressure
- Report writing skills
- Good interpersonal skills
- Good written and communication skills
- Valid Driver’s License
Interested persons are invited to apply for the above mentioned post. Application letter together with a detailed CV and certified copies of educational qualifications should be forwarded to:
The Provincial Secretary
Gauteng Province
1st Floor TFC Building
32 Von Brandis Street
Marshalltown
2001
Enquiries: (011) 331 1443
Kindly take note of the following:
- The salary is negotiable.
- Correspondence will only be entered with short-listed candidates.
Closing Date : 14 June 2013
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COSATU skinning in the game of social media-Enabling the trade union movement to nurture a communicative platform
The Congress of South Africa Trade Unions has broken new grounds by enabling its members and the society at large, to shape its progressive work.
Follow COSATU General Secretary, cde Zwelinzima Vavi @zwelinzima1 and also COSATU’s Official twitter handles @_cosatu and @cosatu2015, for a second to second update on issues affecting the working class in South Africa and elsewhere.
And the Federation has a Facebook Page ; http://www.facebook.com/pages/Congress-of-South-Africa-Trade-Unions-Cosatu-Today/390972744302076?fref=ts
Forward with building a strong and vibrant trade union movement through a communication platform.
An injury to one is an injury to all!
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Follow Fred van Leeuwen on Twitter!-EI GS
Education International
EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen is now on Twitter - follow @fredvanleeuwen for news, views, insights and highlights from the global education scene.
"Twitter is an amazing tool. Anyone can publish, and re-publish, information instantly, and thus distribute knowledge to thousands of people within minutes. Look at the revolutions in Arab countries that relied on Twitter for rapid communication; or the heated debates that spring up on Twitter during large events like the State of the Union address in the United States - these events show the immense potential the service has," he said.
"I am happy to be able to contribute, and look forward to sharing and discussing with colleagues and friends via Twitter."
To follow Fred van Leeuwen on Twitter, click here to go to@fredvanleeuwen, his Twitter profile. It is also possible to follow@eduint, Education International's offical Twitter account.
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Follow ITUC Secretary General-Sharan Burrow
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Norman Mampane (Communications Officer)
Congress of South African Trade Unions
110 Jorissen Cnr Simmonds Street
Braamfontein
2017
P.O.Box 1019
Johannesburg
2000
South Africa
Tel: +27 11 339-4911 or Direct 010 219-1342
Mobile: +27 72 416 3790
E-Mail: mam...@cosatu.org.za
