IUL
HRCT Workers' Bulletin, # 20 - 2003
27-May-2003You can chose from these options:
HRCT Workers' Bulletin, # 20 - 2003 in HTML (fast download )
HRCT Workers' Bulletin, # 20 - 2003 in MS Word
HRCT Workers' Bulletin, # 20 - 2003 in PDF (Adobe Acrobat required)
Gewerkschafts-Bulletin HRCT, # 20 - 2003
27-May-2003Gewerkschafts-Bulletin HRCT, # 20 - 2003 - HTML (schnell)
Gewerkschafts-Bulletin HRCT, # 20 - 2003 - MS Word
Gewerkschafts-Bulletin HRCT, # 20 - 2003 - PDF (Adobe Acrobat erfordert)
Coca-Cola Workers' Bulletin, Nr. 01 � 05/2003
30-May-2003You can chose from:
Coca-Cola Workers' Bulletin #01-2003 in Word
Coca-Cola Workers' Bulletin #01-2003 in PDF (Adobe Acrobat required)
The Sugar Worker, May 2003. News from the Sugar Sector.
02-Jun-2003The Sugar Worker
Information and Analysis for Unions in the Sugar Sector
Volume V, Number 5
May 2003
Contents
- Pakistan: Sugar Workers Federation Formed
- Guyana: Arbitration Tribunal on 2002 & 2003 Wage Increases
- Brazil: Cane Production Seen at 344 Million Tonnes
- o Sem Terra Movement Claims Cane Lands
- Cuba: Disastrous 2003 Harvest Ends
- European Union: Monitoring Commodity Stocks in Candidate Countries
- Company News
- o Southern Africa: Record Production, Increased Earnings in Illovo
- o Hungary: Nordzucker Consolidates Grasp on Industry
Pakistan: Sugar Workers Federation Formed
One hundred and ten delegates from sugar worker organisations from all the country, attending a national convention held in Karachi on 17 & 18 May, formed the Pakistan Sugar Mill Workers' Federation (PSMWF). The federation would play an important role in supporting workers to secure jobs and rights and to negotiate wages and working conditions, in the context of a hostile industrial relations environment.
In the convention's conclusions, delegates called for the reinstatement of retrenched sugar mill workers, the right of agricultural workers to freedom of association, and for the government to provide support to small sugar farmers in the Sindh province, who face a severe crisis because of shortage of water.
The federation emerges when widespread changes in industrial and labour relations in the sugar mills have been the norm in recent years. For instance, in July 2002, the Sindh Sugar Mills Trade Unions Federation (SSMTUF), one of the founding members of the PSMWF, expressed its concerns about the large numbers of unemployed workers and the retrenchment processes in the mills. The SSMTUF also said that employers were resorting to contracting out jobs that effectively curtail workers' rights and tend to undermine the unions. In addition, the apparent lack of clear direction in the industry and the abolition of some regulations, such as the zoning system in the supply of cane, contribute to create uncertainty in the industry.
Of particular concern to the delegates was the Industrial Relation Ordinance (IRO) 2002, which the Pakistani labour movement at large opposes because it severely affects the trade union rights of workers and their ability to negotiate with the employers. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has requested the government to amend the IRO 2002, according to local papers. The situation is especially difficult for agricultural workers, including sugar workers, who do not enjoy the right of freedom of association and are unable to strike.
Representatives of the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) and the Workers, Employers Bilateral Council of Pakistan (WEBCOP) also attended the sugar workers' convention, and said the employers should welcome the opportunity to negotiate with a industry-wide federation in order to meet the challenges of globalisation and to support the industry. Not all mill owners seem to appreciate such opportunity, however. The day after the PSMWF was established, management of the Army Welfare Sugar Mill told the union, the Army Welfare Sugar Mills Workers' Union, a founding member of the federation, that, because of losses in the mill, the union had to stop activities and dissolve itself or management would do that forcibly. (More information in IUF Asian Food Worker at http://www.asianfoodworker.net/)
Guyana: Arbitration Tribunal on 2002 & 2003 Wage Increases
On 25 May, an Arbitration Tribunal granted a 6 percent and a 5 per cent wage increases for 2002 and 2003 respectively to workers organised by GAWU and NAACIE, both IUF affiliated unions in the sugar industry. The Tribunal's decision covers some 19,200 employees of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), the sole cane processor in the country, of whom 92 per cent affiliates to GAWU and the remaining 8 percent to NAACIE. GAWU represents field and factory workers and also foremen and forewomen; NAACIE affiliates clerical and allied employees.
The Arbitration Tribunal was set up in mid January to look into wages and salaries, salary scales, salary increases, and merit increments for 2002 and 2003. (In NAACIE's case, the Tribunal also looked at 2001 awards.) In addition, the Tribunal reviewed a demand by GuySuCo to amend clauses on promotion and acting allowance in the Memorandum of Understanding with NAACIE. After evaluating the submissions by all parties, the Tribunal decided:
- For 2001: there will be no wage or salary increase, beyond to what has already been paid
- For 2002: an across-the-board increase of 6 percent for both GAWU and NAACIE
- For 2003: an across-the board increase of 5 percent based on the projected rate of inflation, to be adjusted according to final figures announced by the Statistical Bureau. (The Tribunal recommended the parties to negotiate an additional percentage based on the "profitability" of the company in 2003.)
- To reject the company's request to amend the Memorandum of Understanding with NAACIE
- To continue the Weekly and Annual Production Incentives (WPI and API)
- To expand wage scales by at least 50 percent
- To approve the existing system of overtime
The Tribunal also made some recommendations, among them, that the company and the unions should conduct a comprehensive study on wages and salaries and a Job Evaluation, to address the current wage structures and the introduction of an annual appraisal scheme. The Tribunal recommended the study be completed in six months. A related recommendation was that the parties should negotiate an annual production incentive before to the year of production, for it to be a truly incentive scheme, rather than after production is completed, as is the case now. The Tribunal also recommended multi-year collective agreements, considering that yearly negotiations represent a great investment of resources to everyone, and when negotiations go to conciliation or arbitration, decisions take longer to be reached.
A source in GAWU said the union welcomes the Tribunal's recommendations although some deserve further analysis (e.g. multi-year agreements) because there are variables that influence the financial performance of GuySuCo, over which the company has little control. For instance, the fluctuations of the Euro against the U.S. dollar play a major role in determining the "profitability" of the company, given that it sells a substantial portion of its production in the European market, with prices denominated in Euros.
In the same line, the union believes that the ability to make projections and to share key information (from the company) that makes such projections possible are matters still to be achieved in the Guyanese environment. For instance, a five percent wage increase for 2003, said the union, does not take into account the strong financial and production performance expected this year. Although the Tribunal recommends the parties to negotiate an additional percentage, according to the "profitability" of the industry, it remains to be seen whether the company is willing to provide the basic information for the negotiations to take place and if it would actually bring them to completion.
Brazil: Cane Production Seen at 344 Million Tonnes
Datagro, a consulting firm, announced a revised forecast of the Brazilian production of sugar cane of 344.3 million tonnes in the 2003/04 harvest, up from its previous estimate of 330 million tonnes published last February. The revision came based on improved weather conditions in the Centre-South region, around Sao Paulo state, and a better evaluation of the Northeast production at the end of the year. According to Datagro, the Centre-South would produce 291.8 million tonnes of cane while the Northeast would reach 52.5 million tonnes.
Datagro expects the additional cane in the Centre-South, about 9.8 million tonnes, would go to sugar, bringing sugar production to 18.5 million tonnes, which is lower than the 18.7 million tonnes in the previous crop. The Northeast would produce about 4 million tonnes of sugar, up from the 3.4 million of last year. Brazil's total sugar production is estimated at 22.5 million tonnes, slightly above the 22.4 million of 2002/03 crop. It is expected that the Centre-South would contribute with 85 percent of the estimated 13.25 million tonnes for exports.
The 2003/04 crop, said Datagro, would be an "ethanol harvest," estimating that about 53 percent of the cane would go into ethanol. Datagro forecasts a production of 14.04 billion litres of ethanol, with almost 90 percent originating in the Centre-South region.
Sem Terra Movement Claims Cane Lands
In comparison with the success enjoyed by the production of cane, which helps consolidating Brazil's leadership in the global ethanol and sugar production, the Sem Terra Movement (Landless Movement) had 19 May as protest day against the country's highly concentrated land ownership structure, the latifundio, also present in the sugar industry.
On 19 May, some 2,000 landless rural workers protested at the engenho Prado, in the municipally of Tracunha�m in Pernambuco. A communiqu� by the Sem Terra said the people were related to the Sem Terra Movement, the Pernambuco rural workers federation (FETAPE), and the pastoral land committee (CPT), a church-related organization.
According to local papers, the engenho Prado lands are one of the oldest land disputes in Pernambuco, claimed by around 300 families who live there since 1997. Lands had been also leased to a third party with whom the company is involved in a legal dispute. Sem Terra said the families were cultivating the land and waiting for the government's agrarian reform agency to expropriate the lands, which do not fulfil a social role. Private armed personnel had been harassing and threatening the families for some time, Sem Terra added. Protesters at the engenho Prado set fire to some buildings and destroyed machines and equipment. The engenho Prado belongs to the Usina Santa Teresa, owned by the Joao Santos Group.
Cuba: Disastrous 2003 Harvest Ends
A report by Reuters on 29 May said that the Cuban Sugar Ministry decided to end the 2002/2003 crop in most of the country because of the start of the rainy season, which tends to hamper harvest operations (cane cutting, transportation), lowers agricultural yields, and increases production costs. By that day, fifteen of the 79 mills had ended operations, and most of the other mills were already finalising operations. Only one or two mills would be working into early June, said the report, but they would add little to the national production. Reuters estimated Cuban production at between 2 and 2.1 million tonnes of sugar, below the revised target of 2.6 to 2.7 million, and a poor result when compared to the 3.6 million tonnes achieved in 2002 that, in itself, was one of the lowest production levels of the past 50 years.
Reuters said that Cuban authorities have not disclosed the volume of sugar committed for exports, which local observers put at 2 million tonnes. As Cuba's annual domestic consumption is about 700,000 tonnes, it should not be a surprise if the island imports sugar to cover local needs or decides not to fulfil export commitments, mainly with Russia and China.
European Union: Monitoring Commodity Stocks in Candidate Countries
With May 2004 as date for the next round of enlargement, the European Union started to monitor stocks of agricultural commodities, including sugar, in the ten candidates countries to determine the amounts that can be absorbed into the EU, reported the German analysis group F.O.Licht on 15 May.
According to Licht, EU experts are working with the governments of the candidate countries to determine the "reasonable" level of stocks based on historical levels. There is a risk of speculative stockpiling during the period leading to the integration, because of the expectation that domestic prices would rise in line with EU prices. The extra inventory would then add to the stocks in the EU-15 and would mean extra payments from EU budgets.
Among the candidate countries are sugar-producing countries like Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, with an estimated combined production of 3.3 million tonnes of sugar in 2002/03. If sugar stocks are above historical levels, the EU might classify them as "C" sugar, which is sugar for exports to world markets without subsidies.
In a related matter, Serbia said it would improve controls on sugar imports and exports to prevent what appear to be fraudulent exports to the European Union. In April, the EU imposed a three-month ban on Serbian sugar, a period during which the government should improve controls. The volume of Serbian exports of sugar to the EU keeps no relation to domestic production, and there are complains that imported sugar is repackaged and re-exported to the EU. A Serbian official said that the country had contracted 160,000 tonnes of beet sugar for export to the EU in the first six months of 2003, compared to 180,000 tonnes in 2002. In 2001, the EU gave special rights, including duty-free sugar exports to the Balkans, to help them in their post-war recovery.
Company News
Southern Africa: Record Production, Increased Earnings in Illovo
In the financial year ending on 31 March 2003, the South Africa-based Illovo Sugar posted a strong performance with 2.308 million tonnes of sugar produced, 355,000 tonnes more than the previous year, and 5.781 million tonnes of cane, almost one million tonnes more than in 2001/02. In the downstream products (manufactured from sugar), the group achieved new records in furfural and ethyl alcohol production, and a significant increase in acetoin production.
The group's operating profits increased by 42 percent on year, with a 33 percent increase in headline earnings per share. Sugar manufacturing accounted for 59 percent of the profits, cane growing for 27 percent and downstream products for 14 percent.
In terms of geographic areas, operations in South Africa contributed with 39 percent of the profits, Malawi with 24%, Zambia 22%, Swaziland 13%, and United States 2%. It is worth noticing the exceptional performance of the medium-size operations in Malawi (two units) and Zambia (one), which accounted for a combined 46 percent of the group's total operating profits.
During the year, Illovo Sugar increased its stake in Sucoma (Sugar Company of Malawi) to 76 percent and in Zambia Sugar to 90 percent. The group expects these two investments to increase future earnings. After completing the rehabilitation and redevelopment programs in Kilombero Sugar (Tanzania) and Maragra (Mozambique), they were consolidated into the group operations as of 31 March 2003. It is expected that they would start producing positive results for the group soon.
Illovo Sugar said that sales of sugar and downstream products to domestic markets contributed with 50 percent of total revenues, with the remaining half from sales to 94 countries. Interestingly enough, 61 percent of sugar production by volume and 77 percent by value was sold into domestic markets or preferential markets like the European Union and the United States. In fact, Illovo Sugar is well positioned to take advantage of preferential markets in the European Union through the sugar agreement between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and to benefit from the "Everything But Arms" trade initiative. Some of the African operations also benefit from to the United States sugar quota.
Looking to the future, the group expects that a stronger South African rand vis-�-vis the US dollar and weather-related problems coupled with 0inadequate rainfall in South Africa in the past summer might have a negative impact on cane production, which in turn may result in a lower production of sugar and downstream products. The South African Cane Growers Association has forecast a national production of 2.4 million tonnes of sugar for the 2003/04 crop, down 360,000 tonnes on last year.
Hungary: Nordzucker Consolidates Grasp on Industry
Nordzucker, the second largest German sugar processor, bought minority stakes in three Hungarian beet plants in which it acquired majority stakes earlier this year. Forr�s Rt. of the State Privatization and Holding Company Rt sold the shares at 70 percent its nominal value of 3.59 billion Hungarian forints (USD 17 million) and posted, according to international sources, a profit of USD 942,000. The transaction involved a 39 percent stake of M�tra Cukorgy�r Rt, 38 percent of Szerencsi Cukorgy�r Rt, and 25 percent of Szolnoki Cukorgy�r Rt, giving Nordzucker control of close to 90 percent in each of the factories. The three factories account for about 40 percent of the national output, estimated at 378,000 tonnes of sugar in the 2002/2003 crop. (The Hungarian sugar industry is dominated by three West European companies: Nordzucker, Agrana, the Austrian subsidiary of S�dzucker, and Eastern Sugar, a joint venture of the French Saint Louis Sucre - another subsidiary of S�dzucker - and the British Tate & Lyle.)
Trabajador Azucarero, Mayo 2003. Noticias del Sector Azucarero.
02-Jun-2003Trabajador Azucarero
Informaci�n y An�lisis para Sindicatos en el Sector Azucarero
Volumen III, N�mero 5
Mayo 2003
Contenido
- Pakist�n: Crean Federaci�n de Trabajadores Azucareros
- Guyana: Arbitraje Sobre Incrementos Salariales en 2002 y 2003
- Brasil: Producci�n de Ca�a Estimada en 344 Millones de Toneladas
- o Sem Terra Reclama Tierras Bajo Ca�a
- Cuba: Finaliza Desastrosa Campa�a 2003
- Uni�n Europea: Monitoreo de Reservas en Pa�ses Candidatos
- Noticias de Compa��as
- o �frica Austral: Producci�n R�cord, Mayores Ganancias en Illovo
- o Hungr�a: Nordzucker Consolida Dominio en Industria
Pakist�n: Crean Federaci�n de Trabajadores Azucareros
Ciento diez delegados de organizaciones de trabajadores azucareros de todo el pa�s, asistiendo a una convenci�n nacional realizada en Karachi el 17 y 18 de mayo, formaron la primera Federaci�n de los Trabajadores de Ingenios Azucareros de Pakist�n (PSMWF por sus siglas en ingl�s). La federaci�n tendr� un papel importante en apoyar a los trabajadores para asegurar sus empleos y derechos y a negociar salarios y condiciones de trabajo, en el contexto de un clima hostil en las relaciones industriales.
En las conclusiones de la convenci�n, los delegados reclamaron la reincorporaci�n de los trabajadores fabriles despedidos, el derecho de los trabajadores agr�colas a la libertad de asociaci�n, y que el gobierno asista a los sembradores de ca�a de peque�a escala en la provincia de Sindh, quienes enfrentan una dif�cil situaci�n debido a escasez de agua.
La federaci�n emerge cuando extensos cambios en las relaciones industriales y laborales han sido la norma en los a�os recientes. Por ejemplo, en julio del 2002, la federaci�n sindical azucarera en Sindh (SSMTUF por sus siglas en ingl�s), uno de los miembros fundadores de la PSMWF, expres� su preocupaci�n por el gran n�mero de trabajadores desempleados y por los procesos de despido en los ingenios. La SSMTUF tambi�n dijo que los empleadores estaban recurriendo al subcontrato que efectivamente limita los derechos de los trabajadores y tiende a debilitar a los sindicatos. Adem�s, la aparente falta de una clara direcci�n en la industria y la eliminaci�n de ciertas regulaciones, como el sistema de abastecimiento de ca�a por zonas, contribuyen a crear incertidumbre en la industria.
De especial inter�s para los delegados fue la norma de relaciones industriales IRO 2002, que el movimiento sindical pakistan� en pleno rechaza, porque deteriora severamente los derechos sindicales de los trabajadores y su capacidad de negociar con los empleadores. De acuerdo con diarios locales, la Organizaci�n Internacional del Trabajo (OIT) ha solicitado al gobierno que modifique la IRO 2002. La situaci�n es especialmente dif�cil para los trabajadores agr�colas, incluyendo trabajadores azucareros, quienes no tiene el derecho a la libertad de asociaci�n y no tienen la posibilidad de hacer huelgas.
Representantes de la PSMA, la asociaci�n de ingenios azucareros, y del WEBCOP, el consejo bipartito de trabajadores y empleadores, asistieron a la convenci�n de los trabajadores azucareros. Ellos dijeron que los empleadores deber�an acoger la oportunidad de negociar con una federaci�n que integre a trabajadores en la industria para poder enfrentar los desaf�os de la globalizaci�n y apoyar a la industria. Sin embargo, no todos los propietarios de ingenios parecen apreciar la oportunidad. Al d�a siguiente de la formaci�n de la PSMWF, la gerencia del Army Welfare Sugar Mill inform� al sindicato, miembro fundador de la federaci�n, que debido a p�rdidas en el ingenio, el sindicato deber�a detener sus actividades y disolverse, o la gerencia lo forzar�a a hacerlo.
Guyana: Arbitraje Sobre Incrementos Salariales en 2002 y 2003
El 25 de mayo, un Tribunal de Arbitraje concedi� un aumento salarial de 6 y 5 por ciento para el 2002 y 2003 respectivamente a los trabajadores afiliados a GAWU y NAACIE, ambos son sindicatos en la industria azucarera afiliados a la UITA. La decisi�n del Tribunal cubre 19,200 empleados de la Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), la �nica procesadora de ca�a en el pa�s, de los cuales el 92 por ciento est�n afiliados a GAWU y el restante 8 por ciento a NAACIE. GAWU representa a trabajadores de campo y de f�brica, as� como capataces; mientras que NAACIE afilia a empleados en ocupaciones clericales y similares.
El Tribunal fue establecido a mediados de enero para decidir sobre sueldos y salarios, escalas e incrementos salariales, y bonos para los a�os 2002 y 2003. (En el caso de NAACIE, el Tribunal tambi�n incluy� remuneraciones para el 2001.) Adem�s, el Tribunal revis� la solicitud de GuySuCo de enmendar cl�usulas sobre promoci�n y pagos por reemplazo en el memor�ndum de entendimiento con NAACIE. Despu�s de evaluar las presentaciones de las partes, el Tribunal decidi�:
- Para 2001: no habr� incremento salarial, m�s all� de lo que ya fue otorgado
- Para 2002: un incremento salarial general del 6 por ciento para GAWU y NAACIE
- Para 2003: un incremento salarial general del 5 por ciento basado en la tasa de inflaci�n estimada, que ser� reajustada de acuerdo a las cifras definitivas de la oficina de estad�sticas. (El Tribunal recomend� que las partes negociaran un porcentaje adicional basado en la "rentabilidad" de la compa��a en el 2003.)
- Rechazar la solicitud de enmienda al memor�ndum de entendimiento con NAACIE
- Continuar con los incentivos semanales y anuales a la producci�n
- Ampliar las escalas salariales en por lo menos un 50 por ciento
- Aprobar el sistema actual de horas extras de trabajo
El Tribunal tambi�n hizo algunas recomendaciones, entre ellas, que la compa��a y los sindicatos deber�an realizar un estudio sobre sueldos y salarios y una evaluaci�n de puestos de trabajo, para tratar la presente estructura salarial e introducir un esquema de m�rito anual. El Tribunal recomend� que el estudio se complete en seis meses.
Una recomendaci�n relacionada fue que las partes deber�an negociar un incentivo anual de producci�n antes del a�o de producci�n, para que sea efectivamente un incentivo, y no despu�s que la producci�n termina, como ocurre en el presente. El Tribunal tambi�n recomend� acuerdos colectivos que cubran varios a�os, considerando que negociaciones anuales representan una gran inversi�n de recursos para todas las partes, y cuando negociaciones derivan en conciliaci�n o arbitraje, las decisiones tardan m�s en llegar.
Fuentes de GAWU dijeron que el sindicato acogi� las recomendaciones del Tribunal, aunque algunas merecen mayor an�lisis (e.g. acuerdos multianuales) porque hay variables que influyen en el desempe�o financiero de GuySuCo, sobre las cuales la compa��a tiene poco control. Por ejemplo, las fluctuaciones del euro frente al d�lar estadounidense tienen una influencia importante en determinar la "rentabilidad" de la compa��a, pues �sta vende una porci�n sustancial de su producci�n en el mercado europeo, a precios fijados en euros.
En la misma l�nea, el sindicato cree que la habilidad de realizar proyecciones y de compartir informaci�n b�sica (desde la compa��a) que hace estas proyecciones posibles son materias que a�n tienen que ser alcanzadas en el medio guyan�s. Por ejemplo, un incremento salarial del 5 por ciento para el 2002, dijo el sindicato, no toma en cuenta el s�lido desempe�o financiero y productivo previsto para este a�o. Aunque el Tribunal recomienda que las partes negocien un porcentaje adicional, de acuerdo a la "rentabilidad" de la industria, est� por verse si la compa��a estar� dispuesta a compartir la informaci�n b�sica para que tales negociaciones tengan lugar y si en realidad podr� llevarlas a su culminaci�n.
Brasil: Producci�n de Ca�a Estimada en 344 Millones de Toneladas
Datagro, una firma consultora, anunci� una revisi�n de sus proyecciones de la producci�n de ca�a de az�car en Brasil, elev�ndola a 344 millones de toneladas en la zafra 2003/04, por encima de los anteriores 330 millones anunciados en febrero. La revisi�n fue hecha por las mejores condiciones clim�ticas en el Centro-Sur, alrededor del estado de Sao Paulo, y una mejor evaluaci�n de la producci�n en el Nordeste para finales de este a�o.
Datagro espera que la ca�a adicional en el Centro-Sur, alrededor de 9.8 millones de toneladas, vaya al az�car, elevando la producci�n azucarera a 18.5 millones de toneladas, que est� por debajo de los 18.7 millones de la zafra pasada. El Nordeste podr�a producir cerca de 4 millones de toneladas de az�car, por encima de los 3.4 millones del a�o pasado. La producci�n azucarera brasile�a se estima en 22.5 millones de toneladas, ligeramente superior a los 22.4 millones de la zafra 2002/03. Se espera que el Centro-Sur contribuya con el 85 por ciento de los 13.25 millones de toneladas de exportaci�n.
La campa�a 2003/04, dijo Datagro, ser� una "zafra de etanol", estimando que un 53 por ciento de la ca�a se destinar� a etanol. Datagro pronostica una producci�n de 14.04 billones de litros de etanol, con casi el 90 por ciento proveniente de la regi�n Centro-Sur.
Sem Terra Reclama Tierras Bajo Ca�a
En comparaci�n con el �xito de la producci�n de ca�a, que consolida el liderazgo brasile�o en la producci�n mundial de etanol y de az�car, el movimiento de los Sem Terra (Sin Tierra) tiene el 19 de mayo como d�a de protesta contra la altamente concentrada propiedad de la tierra, el latifundio, tambi�n presente en la industria azucarera.
El 19 de mayo, cerca de 2,000 trabajadores rurales sin tierra protestaron en la plantaci�n Prado, en la municipalidad de Tracunha�m en Pernambuco. Un comunicado de Sem Terra dijo que la gente estaba ligada a Sem Terra, a FETAPE, la federaci�n de trabajadores rural de Pernambuco, y a la CPT, la comisi�n pastoral de la tierra, una organizaci�n ligada a la iglesia.
De acuerdo con diarios locales, las tierras de la plantaci�n Prado son objeto de una de las disputas de tierra m�s antiguas en Pernambuco, reclamadas por cerca de 300 familias quienes viven en ellas desde 1997. Las tierras hab�an sido arrendadas a una tercera parte con la cual la compa��a est� en disputa legal. Sem Terra dijo que las familias estaban cultivando la tierra y esperando que la agencia gubernamental de reforma agraria las expropiara, porque no cumplen una funci�n social. Personal armado de seguridad privada ha estado hostilizando y amenazando a las familias por alg�n tiempo, a�adi� Sem Terra. Los manifestantes en la plantaci�n Prado prendieron fuego a algunas construcciones y destruyeron maquinaria y equipo. La plantaci�n pertenece al ingenio Santa Teresa, propiedad del Grupo Joan Santos.
Cuba: Finaliza Desastrosa Campa�a 2003
Un informe de la Reuters del 29 de mayo dijo que el Ministerio del Az�car de Cuba decidi� finalizar la zafra 2002/03 en gran parte del pa�s, debido al inicio de la temporada de lluvias, que obstaculiza las labores de cosecha (corte y transporte de ca�a), reduce la productividad agr�cola, y eleva los costos de producci�n. Para ese d�a, quince de los 79 ingenios hab�an ya terminado operaciones, y la mayor�a de los otros ingenios estaban finalizando tareas. S�lo uno o dos ingenios trabajar�an hasta inicios de junio, dijo el informe, pero ellos a�adir�an poco a la producci�n nacional. Reuters estima que la producci�n cubana estar� entre 2 y 2.1 millones de toneladas de az�car, por debajo de la proyecci�n revisada de entre 2.6 y 2.7 millones, y un pobre resultado comparado con los 3.6 millones alcanzados en 2002, los que, en s� mismos, fueron uno de los niveles m�s bajos de los �ltimos 50 a�os.
Reuters dijo que las autoridades cubanas no hab�an dado a conocer el volumen de az�car comprometida para la exportaci�n, que analistas locales ponen en 2 millones de toneladas. En tanto el consumo dom�stico anual de Cuba es de 700,000 toneladas, no ser�a sorpresa si Cuba importara az�car para cubrir necesidades dom�sticas o decidiera no cumplir con compromisos de exportaci�n, principalmente a Rusia y China.
Uni�n Europea: Monitoreo de Reservas en Pa�ses Candidatos
Con mayo del 2004 como fecha para la siguiente ronda de expansi�n, la Uni�n Europea (UE) comenz� a monitorear las reservas de productos agr�colas, incluyendo az�car, en los diez pa�ses candidatos, para determinar los montos que pueden ser absorbidos en la UE, inform� el grupo de an�lisis alem�n, F.O.Licht el 15 de mayo.
De acuerdo con Licht, expertos de la UE est�n trabajando con los gobiernos de los pa�ses candidatos para determinar los vol�menes "razonables" de reservas, basados en niveles hist�ricos. Existe un riesgo de acumulaci�n de reservas especulativa en el periodo antes de la integraci�n, por la expectativa que los precios dom�sticos se incrementar�n a la par con los precios en la UE. Este inventario extra a�adir�a a las reservas en los 15 pa�ses de la UE y representar�an gastos extras en el presupuesto de la UE.
Entre los pa�ses candidatos se encuentran pa�ses productores de az�car como Polonia, Hungr�a, la Rep�blica Checa y Eslovaquia, con una producci�n total estimada en 3.3 millones de toneladas. Si las reservas de az�car est�n por encima de los niveles hist�ricos, la UE podr�a clasificarlas como az�car "C", que es az�car para exportaci�n sin subsidios al mercado mundial.
En una materia relacionada, Serbia dijo que mejorar�a los controles sobre las importaciones y exportaciones de az�car para prevenir lo que parece ser fraudes en exportaci�n a la Uni�n Europea. En abril, la UE impuso una prohibici�n de tres meses sobre el az�car serbia, un periodo en el cual el gobierno deber�a mejorar los controles. El volumen de exportaci�n de Serbia a la UE no tiene relaci�n con la producci�n dom�stica y existen quejas que az�car importada es reembolsada y re-exportada a la UE. Un funcionario serbio dijo que el pa�s ha contratado 160,000 toneladas para exportaci�n en los primeros seis meses del a�o, comparadas con 180,000 toneladas del 2002. En el 2001, la UE otorg� derechos preferenciales, incluyendo importaci�n libre de impuestos para el az�car, a los Balcanes, para apoyarlos en su recuperaci�n despu�s de las guerras internas.
Noticias de Compa��as
�frica Austral: Producci�n R�cord, Mayores Ganancias en Illovo
En el a�o financiero que termin� el 31 de marzo del 2003, Illovo Sugar con sede en �frica del Sur, registr� un excelente desempe�o con 2.308 millones de toneladas de az�car, 355,000 toneladas m�s que el a�o anterior, y 5.781 millones de toneladas de ca�a, casi un mill�n de toneladas m�s que en 2001/02. En productos derivados del az�car, el grupo alcanz� nuevos r�cord en furfural y alcohol et�lico, y un aumento importante en la producci�n de acetoin.
Las ganancias operativas del grupo subieron en un 42 por ciento en el a�o, con un 33 por ciento del incremento en dividendos. La manufactura de az�car aport� el 59 por ciento de las ganancias, el cultivo de ca�a un 27 por ciento, y los derivados el 14 por ciento.
Desde el punto de vista de �reas geogr�ficas, las operaciones en �frica del Sur contribuyeron con 39 por ciento de las ganancias, Malawi con el 24%, Zambia 22%, Swazilandia 13% y Estados Unidos con 2%. Es importante se�alar el excepcional desempe�o de las operaciones de mediano tama�o en Malawi (dos unidades) y en Zambia (una), las que aportan en total el 46 por ciento de las ganancias operativas.
Durante el a�o, Illovo Sugar increment� su participaci�n en Sucoma (la compa��a azucarera de Malawi) al 76 por ciento y en Zambia Sugar al 90 por ciento. El grupo espera que estas dos inversiones eleven sus ganancias futuras. Despu�s de completar programas de rehabilitaci�n y desarrollo en Kilombero Sugar (Tanzania) y Maragra (Mozambique), estas fueron integradas en las operaciones del grupo comenzando el 31 de marzo del 2003. Se espera que pronto empiecen a dar resultados positivos para el grupo.
Illovo Sugar dijo tambi�n que las ventas de az�car y derivados a mercados dom�sticos contribuyeron con un 50 por ciento de los ingresos, y la otra mitad a trav�s de ventas a 94 pa�ses. Es interesante que el 61 por ciento de la producci�n azucarera en volumen y 77 por ciento en valor fuera vendido en mercados dom�sticos o mercados preferenciales. De hecho, Illovo Sugar est� bien ubicado para obtener ventajas del mercado preferencial de la Uni�n Europea a trav�s del acuerdo azucarero entre la UE y los pa�ses de �frica, Caribe y Pac�fico (ACP) y de beneficiarse de la iniciativa comercial "Todo Menos las Armas". Algunas de sus operaciones africanas se benefician tambi�n de la cuota azucarera estadounidense.
Mirando hacia el futuro, el grupo espera que una revalorizaci�n del rand sudafricano respecto al d�lar estadounidense, y problemas clim�ticos combinados con inadecuadas lluvias en �frica del Sur el verano pasado, tendr�n un efecto negativo en la producci�n de ca�a, la que a su vez podr�a afectar la producci�n de az�car y derivados. La asociaci�n de sembradores de ca�a en �frica del Sur ha estimado la producci�n nacional en 2.4 millones de toneladas en la zafra 2003/04, unas 360,000 toneladas menos que el a�o pasado.
Hungr�a: Nordzucker Consolida Dominio en Industria
Nordzucker, el segundo grupo mayor de la industria alemana, compr� intereses minoritarios en tres f�bricas azucareras h�ngaras, en las cuales adquiri� la mayor�a de acciones anteriormente este a�o. Forr�s Rt., agencia de la compa��a de privatizaci�n estatal, vendi� las acciones a un 70 por ciento de su valor nominal de 3.59 billones de forints h�ngaros (USD 17 millones) y registr�, de acuerdo a fuentes internacionales, una ganancia de USD 942,000. La transacci�n fue por un 39 por ciento de acciones de la M�tra Cukorgy�r Rt, un 38 por ciento de la Szerencsi Cukorgy�r Rt, y un 25 por ciento de la Szolnoki Cukorgy�r Rt, otorgando a Nordzucker el control de cerca del 90 por ciento en cada una de las f�bricas. Las tres f�bricas aportan el 40 por ciento de la producci�n nacional, estimada en 378,000 toneladas en la zafra 2002/03. (La industria azucarera h�ngara est� dominada por tres compa��as de Europa Occidental: Nordzucker, Agrana, la subsidiaria austriaca de S�dzucker, y Eastern Sugar, una inversi�n conjunta de la francesa Saint Louis Sucre - otra subsidiaria de S�dzucker - y la brit�nica Tate & Lyle.)
Streik der �sterreichischen Gewerkschaften zur Rettung des bedrohten Rentensystems
03-Jun-2003
�GB Pr�sident Verzetnitsch mit streikenden Coca-Cola Arbeitnehmern
Der �sterreichische Gewerkschaftsbund �GB setzte zu einer neuen Runde von Massenstreiks an um das gef�hrdete Rentensystem des Landes zu verteidigen. Der von Bundeskanzler Sch�ssel vorgeschlagene Gesetzentwurf w�rde das gesetzliche Rentenalter um 6 Jahre anheben und einseitig die Renten um bis zu 40% f�r bestimmt Pensionsgruppen k�rzen
Nach dem erfolgreichen Streik am 6. Mai und der Massen-Rallye in Wien am 13. Mai war die Regierung zu Rundtischgespr�chen mit den Gewerkschaften und den Arbeitgebern bereit kam jedoch zu keinem Ergebnis im Bezug auf wichtige Elemente der vorgeschlagenen K�rzungen. Die Exekutive des �GB hat deshalb einstimmig f�r den 3. Juni zu einem neuen Streik, der besonders auf die Privatindustrie und den Transport abzielt, aufgerufen.
Das IUL-Mitglied ,die Gewerkschaft Agrar, Nahrung, Genuss ANG informierte das Sekretariat �ber Streiks die in 80 Betrieben, alle Coca-Cola Einrichtungen und alle Brauereien inbegriffen, stattfinden.
Repression Inc.: Pakistan Army Bosses Dissolve Sugar Union One Day after Launch of National Federation
03-Jun-2003
Abdus Salam Memon, General Secretary of the Army Welfare Sugar Mill Workers' Union. Elected to head the newly founded national sugar workers' federation, his own union was ordered dissolved the following day.
On May 17-18, unions from Pakistan's sugar industry came together to found the first national federation of unions in the sector, the Pakistan Sugar Mill Workers' Federation . The federation was founded with the support of the IUF in an effort to end the historic divisions which have weakened Pakistan's trade union movement and to lay the ground for a united organizing and bargaining front of sugar workers faced with over-capacity, restructuring, and repression.
One day after the successful launch of the federation, the general secretary of one of the founding member unions, the Army Welfare Sugar Mills Workers' Union (AWSMWU), was instructed by his boss to dissolve the union.
Abdus Salam Memon, AWSMWU general secretary, returned to work on the evening of the 18 to a warm welcome from his fellow workers. The next day, he and other union officers were called to a meeting with acting general manager Colonel (retired) Zahinullah Khan. The union leaders were shown a letter from the Army Welfare Trust Director of Farms demanding the immediate abolition of the union, on the grounds that the Army Welfare Sugar Mill was the only Army Welfare Trust enterprise to have a union.
The acting general manager than ordered the union - which has been in existence since the plant began operations in 1983 - to close its office and cease its activities, stating that he would do so forcibly if the union failed to comply. Factory managers were then instructed to have no relations with the union and to cease communicating with the elected officers.
The union leaders immediately informed the membership in a general assembly, at which members condemned the decision and vowed to fight for their collective rights. Since then, the workers have met regularly twice a day, at the beginning and the end of their work shift.
Management has registered a complaint against the union president and constituted an internal board of inquiry in what the union believes are steps towards his dismissal and pressure on the workforce to drop their union's bargaining demands drawn up last year.
The Army Welfare Trust, established by Pakistan's armed forces in 1971, has extensive financial, commercial and real estate holdings and is one of the country's most powerful conglomerates. It is also engaged in a campaign of repression against the thousands of tenant farmers on the extensive farmlands it owns in Punjab.
The union has protested these anti-union moves to the local authorities and is campaigning vigorously inside Pakistan. The IUF has filed a complaint with the Freedom of Association Committee of the ILO. We are asking for messages to the employer and to the federal labour minister in order to defend the union. The message below may serve as a sample.
Sample Message to the Army Welfare Trust
To: Lt. General (Rtd.) Masood Pervez
Managing Director
Army Welfare Trust
AWT Plaza, The Mall,
Rawalpindi
Pakistan
Fax: +92 51-9272394/+92 51-9272418
cc: Secretary of Labour
Government of Pakistan
Islamabad
Pakistan
Fax. 9251-9203462
Sir:
I have been informed by the IUF that the head office of the Army Welfare Trust has issued an order to the management of Army Welfare Sugar Mills, Badin, in which the management is directed to case recognition of the trade union at the mill, the Army Welfare Sugar Mills Workers' Union, and to forcibly stop the union's activities. The union has been in existence at the mill since 1983 and has a long-standing collective bargaining relationship with the management.
This order is in gross contravention of the rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining set out in Conventions 87 and 98 of the International labour Organization (ILO), rights which the government of Pakistan is obliged to uphold. These Conventions have the force of international treaty law and are legally binding upon the government.
I therefore urge you to rescind this order and to ensure that the rights of the union at the Badin mill are fully restored. I shall be closely following developments in this regard.
Yours sincerely,
Kindly send copies to the IUF secretariat and to the IUF Pakistan Outreach Office (Fax: + 92 21 635 0354, E-mail: [email protected]).
We thank you in advance for your solidarity and support.
Austrian Unions Strike to Save Threatened Pension System
03-Jun-2003�GB President Verzetnitsch with striking Coca-Cola workers
Austria's trade union center �GB has launched another round of mass strikes in defense of the country's threatened pension system. Draft legislation proposed by the governing center-right coalition would raise the legal retirement age by 6 years and ultimately cut pensions by as much as 40% for certain categories of pensioners.
Following successful strike action on May 6 and a mass rally in Vienna on May 13, the government agreed to roundtable discussions with unions and employers, but has failed to yield on essential elements of the proposed cuts. The �GB executive therefore unanimously voted to carry out new strikes on June 3, focussing on private industry and public transport.
The IUF-affiliated Food and Allied Workers' Union ANG has informed the secretariat of strikes taking place at some 80 enterprises, including all Coca-Cola facilities and all breweries.
Les syndicats autrichiens entrent en gr�ve pour sauver le syst�me des pensions
03-Jun-2003Le pr�sident d'�GB, Verzetnitsch, avec les travailleurs/euses de Coca-Cola en gr�ve
Les syndicats autrichiens entrent en gr�ve pour sauver le syst�me des pensions
La centrale syndicale autrichienne �GB a lanc� un nouveau round de gr�ves massives afin de d�fendre le syst�me des pensions du pays. Le projet de loi propos� par le chancelier Sch�ssel reculerait l��ge l�gal de la retraite de six ans et aurait pour cons�quence ultime une r�duction du montant des retraites pouvant aller jusqu�� 40% pour certaines cat�gories de retrait�s.
Apr�s une action de gr�ve le 6 mai et une manifestation massive � Vienne le 13 mai, le gouvernement a accept� une discussion avec les syndicats et les employeurs, mais n'a pas c�d� sur les �l�ments essentiels des coupes propos�es. L'organe ex�cutif d'�GB a donc vot� unanimement pour la tenue de nouvelles gr�ves le 3 juin, qui se concentrent sur l'industrie priv�e et les transports publics.
L'affili�e de l'UITA, ANG, a inform� le secr�tariat de gr�ves ayant lieu au sein de 80 entreprises, y compris toutes les usines Coca-Cola et toutes les brasseries.
Union Campaign Wins Improved Terms for AmBev Uruguay Workers in Brewery Closure
03-Jun-2003The IUF-affiliated Sindicato de Obreros y Empleados de Norte�a (SOEN) successfully mobilised public support against the announced closure of AmBev's brewery in Paysand�, Uruguay, but was not able to reverse the decision to close the brewery or to save the 100 jobs that were threatened. As a result of the strong campaign, however, the union was able to sign an agreement with the company that provided acceptable solutions for each of the 100 workers affected. The malt factory will remain open, and will receive new investment to expand capacity, preserving about 40 jobs.
The agreement negotiated by the union provides for enhanced severance payment amounting to USD 15,000, enhanced early retirement pay, and compensation for lost working hours for those workers who remain employed.
A services co-operative composed exclusively of union members will be formed to perform certain functions now outsourced by the malt plant. This co-operative may also bid on work at other firms. This is a new departure for the union, and will require training for members of the co-operative.
The union recognises the significant role played by international solidarity organised through the Latin American secretariat of the IUF, and in particular that of the Brasilian union CONTAC-CUT, which represents workers at AmBev in Brasil. IUF affiliates around the world sent protests to the company and messages of support to the union.
�E���O�A�C��AmBev�J���ҁA�g���s���Ńr�[���H����ɂ��ǂ��������������
04-Jun-2003IUF�����̃m���e�[�j���]�ƈ��J�g�̓E���O�A�C�A�y�C�T���h�D��AmBev�r�[���H����̔��\�ɑ��Ĉ�ʎs���̎x����������������A�H���100���̌ٗp����邽�߂ɕ�����������������Ƃ͂ł��Ȃ������B���͂��L�����y�[���s���̌��ʁA�g���́A��ЂƋ�������Ԃ��Ƃ��ł����B���̋���͍H����̉e������100���̘J���҂�����ł����������������̂������B�����g�H��̑��Ƃ͑�������B�V�K�̓����ł��̑��Ɣ\�͂��g�����A��40���̌ٗp�����B
�g��������������ɂ��A1���T��ăh���ɂ̂ڂ��ς݂��ꂽ���َ蓖�A��ς݂��ꂽ�����ސE���A�܂��ٗp���ێ�����J���҂ɂ͘J�����ԑ����ɑ��ĕ⏞���x�������B
�����g�H�ꂪ�������ɏo������Ɩ����s�����߂ɑg�����݂̂ō\�������T�[�r�X�����g�������������B���̋����g���͑��̉�Ђ̎d�������D���čs���B����͑g���̐V������o�ł���A�����g�����̌P�����K�v�ł���B
�{�g����IUF�̃��e���A�����J���L�ǂ�ʂ��đg�D���ꂽ���ۘA�т��d�v�Ȗ������ʂ������Ƃ�F�����Ă���B���Ƀu���W����AmBev�J���҂��\����u���W���J�gCONTAC�\CUT�ł���B���E��IUF�����g������Ђɑ��čR�c�́A�܂��g���ɑ��Ă͎x���̃��b�Z�[�W�𑗂����B
�I�[�X�g���A�J�g�|�N�����x����邽�߃X�g���C�L
04-Jun-2003OGB � Verzetnitsch�ƃX�g���C�L���s���R�J�R�[���J����
�I�[�X�g���A�̃i�V���i���Z���^�[OGB�͋��������N�����x����낤�Ƒ�K�͂ȃX�g���C�L������x�v�悵�Ă���B�����E�h�A����������o���Ă��闧�@�Ăɂ��Ɩ@���N�N�6�Έ����グ���A����̃J�e�S���[�̔N�������҂ɂƂ��Ă͋��t�����S�O���܂ō팸����邱�ƂɂȂ�B
5��6���̃X�g���C�L�s����5��13���̃E�B�[���̑�W������������ƂŁA���{�͑g���ƌo�c�҂Ɠ��_����J�����ƂɎ^���������A�팸�Ă̏d�v�ȑ��ʂ����邱�Ƃ͂��Ȃ������B�]����OGB �̎��s�ψ��͖����v�Ŗ��ԎY�Ƃƌ����A������ɏœ_�Ă��X�g���C�L��6��3���ɍĂэs�����Ƃɓ��[�����B
IUF�����̐H�i�֘A�J�gANG��IUF���L�ǂɃR�J�R�[���H�ꂨ��ёS�r�[���H����n�߂Ƃ���80�ЂŃX�g���C�L���s����ƕ����B
�}����Ɓ|�p�L�X�^���R�̏�����S�������A�������̗����ɍ����J�g�����U������
04-Jun-2003�R�������Ɛ����J�g���L���A�u�_�X�E�T�����E�������@�V�����S�������J���ҘA���̑�\�ɑI�o����邪�A�����ނ̑g���ɉ��U���߂��o�����
�T���P�V�|�P�W���A�p�L�X�^���̍����Y�Ƃ������ł��̕���ōŏ��̑S���J�g�A���ł����p�L�X�^�������J���ҘA�������������BIUF�̎x�����A�p�L�X�^���̘J���^������̉������Ă�����j�I�ȕ���ɏI�~����ł��߂ɁA�܂����Y�\�͉ߏ�A���X�g���A�}���ɒ��ʂ��鍻���J���҂̓��ꂵ���g�D���y�ђc�̌��̑O���̋��_��z�����߂ɘA�����������ꂽ�B
�A�������̐����̂��̗����A�����g���̂ЂƂł���R�������Ɛ����J�g�iAWSMWU�j�̏��L���͏�i����g�����U�̖��߂����B
AWSMWU�̏��L���A�u�_�X�E�T�����E�������͂P�W���̔ӁA�d���ɖ߂蓯������g�������}���������B���̗����ނƑ��̑g�������͑��x�z�l�Վ��㗝�E(��)�卲�U�q�k���E�J�[������Ă�A�R�������ƃg���X�g��ƒ�����̑g���������U��v������莆��������ꂽ�B���̗��R�͌R�������Ɛ����J�g���R�������ƃg���X�g�̊�Ƃɑ��݂���B��̑g�����Ƃ������Ƃł������B
�����đ��x�z�l�Վ��㗝�͍H�ꑀ�ƊJ�n�N�ł���P�X�W�R�N�ȗ����݂���g���ɑ�������������A�g�������𒆎~����悤�ɖ��߂����B�X�ɂ����g��������ɏ]��Ȃ�������I�ɂ�����s���Əq�ׂ��B�H��̊Ǘ��E�ɂ͑g���ƐڐG�����A�I�o�g�������Ƃ̃R�~���j�P�[�V�����𒆎~����悤�Ǝw�����o���ꂽ�B
�g�����[�_�[�͑����ɏW��őg�����ɂ����`�����B���̏W��őg�����͂��̉�Ђ̌������A�c��������邽�߂ɓ����ƒf�������B����ȗ��J���҂͒���I�ɂP���Q��A�Ζ���ւ̎n�߂ƏI���ɉ�������Ă���B
�o�c���͑g����ɑ�������t���A���������ψ�������������B�g���͂��ꂪ�g������ق������i�ł���A�J���҂ɑ���N���肳�ꂽ�g���̒c�̌��v�����~�߂����鈳�͂��ƐM���Ă���B
�R�������ƃg���X�g�͂P�X�V�P�N�Ƀp�L�X�^���R���ɂ���Đݗ�����A��K�͂ȍ����A���ƁA�s���Y�ۗ̕L����L���A�p�L�X�^���̍ł����͂ȕ�����Ƃ̂ЂƂł���B���g���X�g�̓p���W���u�ɂ��鎩�ȏ��L�̍L��Ȕ_��̉�����̏���_��}������L�����y�[���s�����W�J���Ă���B
�g���͂����̔��g���^���ɑ��n�����ǂɍR�c���A�p�L�X�^�������Ŋ����ɃL�����y�[���^�����s���Ă���BIUF��ILO�̌��Ђ̎��R�ψ���ɐ\�����Ă������Ȃ����B���̑g������邽�߂Ɍo�c�҂���уp�L�X�^���A�M���{�J���Ȃւ̃��b�Z�|�W��v������B�ȉ��̃��b�Z�[�W�͈��ł���B
�R�������ƃg���X�g�ւ̃��b�Z�[�W��
�R�������ƃg���X�g���x�z�l
Masood Pervez(��)��������
AWT Plaza, The Mall,
Rawalpindi
Pakistan
Fax: +92 51-9272394/+92 51-9272418
�ʂ�: �p�L�X�^�����{�@�J����b
Islamabad
Pakistan
Fax. 9251-9203462
�q�[
�R�������ƃg���X�g�{�����o�f�B���R�������Ɛ����̌o�c�҂ɑ��A�H��̘J���g���ł���R�������Ɛ����J�g�̔F�m���������悤�A�܂������I�ɑg���������~�߂����邱�Ƃ����߂閽�߂��o������IUF���畷���Ă��܂��B���̑g���͂��̍H��ɂP�X�W�R�N�ȗ����݂������Ă������̂ŁA�o�c���ƒ������Ԃɂ킽��c�̌����s���Ă����W������܂�
���̖��߂͍��ۘJ���@�ցiILO�j�̏��W�V���A�X�W���ŋK�肳��錋�Ђ̎��R�y�ђc�̌��̌��������N�Q������̂ł���܂��B�p�L�X�^�����{�͂����̌������x������`��������܂��B�����̏��͍��ۋ���@�̋����͂������A���{�ɑ��@��S���͂������܂��B
�]���āA���̖��߂�P�o�f�B���H��ɂ�����g���̌�����S�ʓI�ɉ����邱�Ƃ��m���ɂ���悤�v���������܂��B��X�͂��̌��Ɋւ���i�W���ٖ��Ɍ�����Ă����܂��B
�h��
IUF���L�ǂ����IUF �p�L�X�^���A�E�g���[�`�������Ƀ��b�Z�[�W�̎ʂ��������肢�����������B (Fax: + 92 21 635 0534, E-mail: [email protected]).
�F����̘A�тƎx���Ɋ��ӂ������܂��B
Gewerkschaftskampagne bewirkt Verbesserungen f�r Arbeitnehmer von AmBev Uruguay nach Brauereischlie�ung
05-Jun-2003Der IUL-Mitgliedsverband Sindicato de Obreros y Empleados de Norte�a (SOEN) konnte gegen die angek�ndigte Schlie�ung der AmBev-Brauerei in Paysand� Uruguay, erfolgreich �ffentliche Unterst�tzung mobilisieren, doch gelang es ihm nicht, eine R�cknahme der Entscheidung zu erreichen, die Brauerei zu schlie�en, oder die 100 bedrohten Arbeitspl�tze zu retten. Aufgrund der energischen Kampagne erreichte die Gewerkschaft aber den Abschluss einer Vereinbarung mit dem Unternehmen, die f�r jeden einzelnen der 100 betroffenen Arbeitnehmer eine akzeptable L�sung bedeutete. Die M�lzerei wird weitergef�hrt und ihre Kapazit�t durch neue Investitionen erweitert, so dass etwa 40 Arbeitspl�tze erhalten bleiben.
Die von der Gewerkschaft ausgehandelte Vereinbarung sieht eine wesentliche bessere Abfindungszahlung in H�he von US$ 15 000, h�here Fr�hrenten und einen Ausgleich f�r die verk�rzten Arbeitszeiten f�r die Arbeitnehmer vor, die weiterbesch�ftigt werden.
Es wird eine Dienstleistungsgenossenschaft errichtet, die sich ausschlie�lich aus Gewerkschaftsmitgliedern zusammensetzt und bestimmte Aufgaben �bernehmen wird, die bisher von der M�lzerei an Drittunternehmen vergeben werden. Diese Genossenschaft kann sich auch um Auftr�ge anderer Firmen bem�hen. Dies ist f�r die Gewerkschaft eine neue Entwicklung, die die Ausbildung der Genossenschaftsmitglieder notwendig machen wird.
Die Gewerkschaft ist sich der wichtigen Rolle bewusst, die die vom Lateinamerikanischen Sekretariat der IUL organisierte internationale Solidarit�t, und insbesondere die Solidarit�t der brasilanischen Gewerkschaft CONTAC-CUT, die AmBev-Arbeitnehmer in Brasilien vertritt, in diesem Fall gespielt hat. IUL-Mitgliedsverb�nde in aller Welt haben Proteste an das Unternehmen und Unterst�tzungsbotschaften an die Gewerkschaft geschickt.
Repressions-AG: Pakistanische Armeechefs l�sen Zuckergewerkschaft einen Tag nach Gr�ndung eines Landesgewerkschaftsbundes auf
06-Jun-2003Abdus Salam Memon, Generalsekret�r der Army Welfare Sugar Mill Workers� Union. Soeben zum Vorsitzenden des neugegr�ndeten landesweiten Gewerkschaftsbundes der Zuckerarbeitnehmer gew�hlt, wurde seine eigene Gewerkschaft am n�chsten Tag aufgel�st
Am 17. und 18. Mai trafen Gewerkschaften aus der pakistanischen Zuckerindustrie zusammen, um den ersten Landesgewerkschaftsbund in diesem Sektor, die Pakistan Sugar Mill Workers� Federation, zu gr�nden. Die Gr�ndung erfolgte mit der Unterst�tzung der IUL und sollte dazu dienen, die historischen Spaltungen zu beenden, die die Gewerkschaftsbewegung Pakistans geschw�cht haben, und die Grundlagen f�r eine geeinte Organisierungs- und Verhandlungsfront der Zuckerarbeitnehmer zu schaffen, die seit langem unter �berkapazit�ten, Umstrukturierungen und Unterdr�ckung leiden.
Einen Tag nach dem erfolgreichen Start des Gewerkschaftsbundes wurde der Generalsekret�r einer der Gr�ndungsgewerkschaften, der Army Welfare Sugar Mills Workers� Union (AWSMWU) von seinem Chef angewiesen, die Gewerkschaft aufzul�sen.
Am Abend des 18. Mai kehrte Abdus Salam Memon, der AWSMWU-Generalsekret�r, an seinen Arbeitsplatz zur�ck, wo er von seinen Kollegen herzlich begr��t wurde. Am folgenden Tag wurden er und andere Gewerkschaftsbeauftragte zu einem Treffen mit dem amtierenden General Manager Oberst (i.R.) Zahinullah Khan beordert. Den Gewerkschaftsf�hrern wurde ein Brief des f�r die Farmen zust�ndigen Direktors des Army Welfare Trust vorgelegt, in dem die unverz�gliche Aufl�sung der Gewerkschaft gefordert wurde, mit der Begr�ndung, die Army Welfare Zuckerfabrik sei das einzige Unternehmen des Army Welfare Trust mit einer Gewerkschaft.
Der amtierende General Manager wies sodann die Gewerkschaft - die bereits seit Beginn des Betriebs im Jahr 1983 besteht - an, ihr B�ro zu schlie�en und ihre T�tigkeiten einzustellen, was er selbst gewaltsam durchsetzen w�rde, falls die Gewerkschaft seinen Anweisungen nicht nachk�me. Die F�hrungskr�fte des Betriebs wurden angewiesen, keinerlei Beziehungen zu der Gewerkschaft zu unterhalten und jeden Verkehr mit ihrem gew�hlten Beauftragten einzustellen.
Die Gewerkschaftsf�hrer unterrichteten die Mitglieder unverz�glich in einer Vollversammlung, auf der die Mitglieder die Entscheidung verurteilten und beschlossen, f�r ihre kollektiven Rechte zu k�mpfen. Seither treffen die Arbeitnehmer regelm��ig zweimal am Tag zusammen, und zwar jeweils zu Beginn und zu Ende ihrer Schicht.
Die Betriebsleitung hat eine Klage gegen den Gewerkschaftspr�sidenten eingereicht und einen internen Untersuchungsausschuss eingesetzt, womit sie nach Ansicht der Gewerkschaft seine Entlassung vorbereiten und Druck auf die Belegschaft aus�ben will, ihre im vorigen Jahr erhobenen Verhandlungsforderungen aufzugeben. Der von den Streitkr�ften Pakistans 1971 gegr�ndete Army Welfare Trust verf�gt �ber ausgedehnte Finanz-, Handels- und Immobilienbeteiligungen und ist damit einer der m�chtigsten Mischkonzerne des Landes. Er f�hrt seit einiger Zeit eine Unterdr�ckungskampagne gegen Tausende von P�chtern auf seinen ausgedehnten Farmbesitzungen in Punjab.
Die Gewerkschaft hat gegen diese gewerkschaftsfeindlichen Ma�nahmen bei den Lokalbeh�rden protestiert und betreibt in Pakistan eine energische Kampagne. Die IUL hat Klage beim Ausschuss f�r Vereinigungsfreiheit der IAO eingereicht. Wir bitten um Botschaften an den Arbeitgeber und an den Bundesarbeitsminister, um der Gewerkschaft zu helfen. Die nachstehende Botschaft kann daf�r als Muster dienen.
Musterbotschaft an den Army Welfare Trust
To: Lt. General (Rtd.) Masood Pervez
Managing Director
Army Welfare Trust
AWT Plaza, The Mall,
Rawalpindi
Pakistan
Fax: +92 51-9272394/+92 51-9272418
cc: Secretary of Labour
Government of Pakistan
Islamabad
Pakistan
Fax. 9251-9203462
Sir:
I have been informed by the IUF that the head office of the Army Welfare Trust has issued an order to the management of Army Welfare Sugar Mills, Badin, in which the management is directed to case recognition of the trade union at the mill, the Army Welfare Sugar Mills Workers' Union, and to forcibly stop the union's activities. The union has been in existence at the mill since 1983 and has a long-standing collective bargaining relationship with the management.
This order is in gross contravention of the rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining set out in Conventions 87 and 98 of the International labour Organization (ILO), rights which the government of Pakistan is obliged to uphold. These Conventions have the force of international treaty law and are legally binding upon the government.
I therefore urge you to rescind this order and to ensure that the rights of the union at the Badin mill are fully restored. I shall be closely following developments in this regard.
Yours sincerely,
Kindly send copies to the IUF secretariat and to the IUF Pakistan Outreach Office (Fax: + 92 21 635 0534, E-mail: [email protected]).
�bersetzung
An Lt. General (Rtd:) Masood Pervez
Managing Director
Army Welfare Trust
AWT Plaza, The Mail,
Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Fax: +92 51-9272394/+92 51-9272418
Kopie an: Secretary of Labour
Government of Pakistan
Islamabad, Pakistan
Fax: +9251-9203462
Sehr geehrter Herr Direktor,
Ich bin von der IUL dar�ber unterrichtet worden, dass die Zentrale des Army Welfare Trust die Leitung der Army Welfare Sugar Mills, Badin angewiesen hat, die Anerkennung der Gewerkschaft in diesem Betrieb, der Army Welfare Sugar Mills Workers� Union, zur�ckzunehmen und die T�tigkeiten der Gewerkschaft gewaltsam zu beenden. Die Gewerkschaft besteht in dieser Zuckerfabrik seit 1983 und unterh�lt seit langem Kollektivverhandlungsbeziehungen zur Betriebsleitung.
Diese Anweisung ist eine grobe Verletzung der in den �bereinkommen 87 und 98 der Internationalen Arbeitsorganisation (IAO) verankerten Rechte auf Vereinigungsfreiheit und Kollektivverhandlungen, die auch von der Regierung Pakistans eingehalten werden m�ssen. Diese �bereinkommen stellen internationales Vertragsrecht dar und sind f�r die Regierung bindend.
Ich fordere Sie deshalb dringend auf, diese Anweisung zur�ckzunehmen und sicherzustellen, dass die Rechte der Gewerkschaft in der Zuckerfabrik Badin in vollem Umfang wiederhergestellt werden. Ich werde die weiteren Entwicklungen in dieser Beziehung genau verfolgen.
Hochachtungsvoll
Bitte sendet Kopien an das IUL-Sekretariat und das IUL-B�ro Pakistan (Fax: +92 21 635 0354, E-Mail: [email protected])
Wir danken euch f�r eure Solidarit�t und Unterst�tzung.
R�pression Inc.: les chefs de l�arm�e pakistanaise ordonnent la dissolution d�un syndicat du sucre au lendemain de la cr�ation d�une f�d�ration nationale
06-Jun-2003Abdus Salam Memon, secr�taire g�n�ral du Syndicat des travailleurs/euses de la sucrerie du Fonds de pr�voyance de l�arm�e. �lu � la t�te de la nouvelle f�d�ration nationale des travailleurs/euses de l�industrie du sucre, son propre syndicat a fait l�objet
Les 17 et 18 mai dernier, les organisations syndicales de l�industrie du sucre au Pakistan se sont r�unies afin de constituer la premi�re f�d�ration syndicale nationale du secteur, la F�d�ration des travailleurs/euses des sucreries du Pakistan (Pakistan Sugar Mill Workers' Federation). La f�d�ration a �t� fond�e avec l�appui de l�UITA, afin de mettre fin aux divisions historiques qui ont affaibli le mouvement syndical au Pakistan et de mettre en place les bases qui permettront aux travailleurs/euses du sucre de faire front commun en mati�re de syndicalisation et de n�gociation collective dans une industrie marqu�e par la surcapacit�, la restructuration et la r�pression.
Le jour suivant la cr�ation de la f�d�ration, le secr�taire g�n�ral de l�une des organisations fondatrices, AWSMWU (Army Welfare Sugar Mills Workers' Union), a re�u de son patron l�ordre de dissoudre le syndicat.
Abdus Salam Memon, secr�taire g�n�ral de l�AWSMWU, est rentr� au travail dans la soir�e du 18 sous les applaudissements de ses camarades de travail. Il a �t� convoqu� le lendemain, avec les autres dirigeants du syndicat, � une rencontre avec le directeur g�n�ral par int�rim, le colonel (� la retraite) Zahinullah Khan. Ce dernier a remis aux dirigeants syndicaux une lettre du Directeur des fermes du Fonds de pr�voyance de l�arm�e exigeant l�abolition imm�diate du syndicat, sous le pr�texte que la sucrerie �tait la seule entreprise du Fonds de pr�voyance dont les employ�s/es �taient syndiqu�s/es.
Le directeur g�n�ral par int�rim a ensuite ordonn� au syndicat � qui existe depuis que l�usine a entrepris ses activit�s en 1983 � de fermer ses bureaux et de mettre fin � ses activit�s, pr�cisant qu�il aurait recours � la force si le syndicat refusait de se conformer � la d�cision. Les directeurs d�usines ont ensuite re�u l�ordre de mettre fin aux relations avec le syndicat et de cesser toutes communications avec les dirigeants/tes �lus/es.
Les dirigeants/tes syndicaux/cales ont imm�diatement inform� les membres du syndicat de la d�cision de l�entreprise lors d�une assembl�e g�n�rale, au cours de laquelle les membres ont condamn� la d�cision et jur� de lutter pour leurs droits collectifs. Depuis, les travailleurs/euses se sont r�unis/es deux fois par jour, au d�but et � la fin de leur quart de travail.
La direction a d�pos� une plainte contre le pr�sident du syndicat et constitu� une commission d�enqu�te interne; mesures qui s�inscrivent, selon le syndicat, dans une d�marche visant � obtenir le licenciement du pr�sident et � faire pression sur les travailleurs/euses afin qu�ils/elles renoncent aux demandes syndicales d�pos�es l�an dernier.
Le Fonds de pr�voyance de l�arm�e, cr�� par l�arm�e pakistanaise en 1971, dispose de ressources financi�res, commerciales et immobili�res consid�rables et est devenu l�un des plus puissants conglom�rats du pays. Il est �galement engag� dans une campagne de r�pression contre les milliers de fermiers/�res qui cultivent les vastes domaines qu�il poss�de au Punjab.
Le syndicat a protest� contre ces mesures antisyndicales devant les autorit�s locales et m�ne une campagne vigoureuse au Pakistan. L�UITA a d�pos� une plainte devant le Comit� de la libert� syndicale de l�OIT. Nous vous demandons de faire parvenir des messages de protestation � l�employeur et au ministre f�d�ral du Travail afin de manifester votre appui au syndicat. Le message ci-dessous peut servir de mod�le.
Mod�le de message de protestation au Fonds de pr�voyance de l�arm�e
To: Lt. General (Rtd.) Masood Pervez
Managing Director
Army Welfare Trust
AWT Plaza, The Mall,
Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Fax: +92 51-9272394/+92 51-9272418
cc: Secretary of Labour
Government of Pakistan
Islamabad, Pakistan
Fax. 9251-9203462
Dear Sir:
We have been informed by the IUF that the head office of the Army Welfare Trust has issued an order to the management of Army Welfare Sugar Mills, Badin, in which the management is directed to cease recognition of the trade union at the mill, the Army Welfare Sugar Mills Workers' Union, and to forcibly stop the union's activities. The union has been in existence at the mill since 1983 and has a long-standing collective bargaining relationship with the management.
This order is in gross contravention of the rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining set out in Conventions 87 and 98 of the International labour Organisation (ILO), rights which the government of Pakistan is obliged to uphold. These Conventions have the force of international treaty law and are legally binding upon the government.
We therefore urge you to rescind this order and to ensure that the rights of the union at the Badin mill are fully restored. We shall be closely following developments in this regard.
Yours sincerely,
TRADUCTION
Lt.-G�n�ral (Ret.) Masood Pervez
Directeur g�n�ral
Fonds de pr�voyance de l�arm�e
AWT Plaza, The Mall,
Rawalpindi, Pakistan
T�l�copie: +92 51-9272394/+92 51-9272418
copie �: Secr�taire au Travail
Gouvernement du Pakistan
Islamabad, Pakistan
T�l�copie: 9251-9203462
Monsieur,
J�ai �t� inform� par l�UITA que le si�ge social du Fonds de pr�voyance de l�arm�e avait donn� l�ordre � la direction de la Sucrerie du Fonds de pr�voyance de Badin de ne plus reconna�tre le syndicat pr�sent � la sucrerie, le Army Welfare Sugar Mills Workers' Union, et de mettre fin aux activit�s du syndicat par la force. Le syndicat est pr�sent � l�usine depuis 1983 et entretien depuis longtemps des relations de n�gociation collective avec la direction.
Cet ordre contrevient de fa�on flagrante aux droits � la libert� d�association et � la n�gociation collective reconnus par les Conventions 87 et 89 de l�organisation internationale du travail (OIT), droits que le gouvernement pakistanais est tenu de faire respecter. Ces conventions ont force de droit international et ont force obligatoire pour le gouvernement.
En cons�quence, nous vous appelons instamment � annuler cet ordre et � assurer le respect complet des droits du syndicat de l�usine de Badin. Soyez assur� que nous surveillerons de pr�s l��volution de la situation � cet �gard.
Veuillez agr�er, Monsieur, l�expression de mes sentiments distingu�s.
Veuillez transmettre une copie de tout message envoy� au secr�tariat de l�UITA et au Bureau de liaison de l�UITA au Pakistan (T�l�copieur: + + 92 21 635 0354, Courriel: [email protected]).
Nous vous remercions � l�avance de votre solidarit� et de votre soutien.
Facklig kampanj vinner f�rb�ttrade villkor f�r AmBev Uruguay anst�llda vid nedl�ggning av bryggeri
06-Jun-2003IULs medlemsf�rbund Sindicato de Obreros y Empleados de Norte�a (SOEN) mobiliserade med framg�ng den allm�nna opinionen mot den aviserade st�gningen av AmBevs nedl�ggning av bryggeriet i Paysand�, Uruguay, men lyckades inte f�rhindra nedl�ggningen, man lyckades heller inte r�dda de 100 arbetstillf�llena som hotades. Som ett resultat av den starka 10-Jun-2003
Campa�a sindical logra mejores t�rminos para trabajadores de AmBev Uruguay en el cierre de la f�brica de cerveza
La afiliada a la UITA, el Sindicato de Obreros y Empleados de Norte�a (SOEN) moviliz� exitosamente el apoyo p�blico contra el anunciado cierre de la cervecera de AmBev en Paysand�, Uruguay, pero no logr� revertir la decisi�n de cerrar la f�brica o salvar los 100 puestos de trabajo que se ve�an amenazados. Sin embargo, como consecuencia de la en�rgica campa�a el sindicato logr� firmar un acuerdo con la compa��a que proporcion� soluciones aceptables para cada uno de los 100 trabajadores afectados. La f�brica de malta continuar� abierta y recibir� nuevas inversiones para expandir su capacidad, preservando cerca de 40 puestos de trabajo.
El acuerdo negociado por el sindicato dispone un mejor pago por despido que alcanza a los USD 15,000, mejor paga por retiro anticipado y compensaci�n por horas de trabajo perdidas para aquellos trabajadores que contin�an empleados.
Se formar� una cooperativa de servicios compuesta exclusivamente de afiliados sindicales que realizar� ciertas funciones que ahora la malter�a contrata a terceros. Esta cooperativa tambi�n puede ofrecer su trabajo a otras empresas. Este es un nuevo punto de partida para el sindicato y requerir� capacitar a los miembros de la cooperativa.
El sindicato reconoce el importante papel que juega la solidaridad internacional organizada a trav�s de la secretar�a latinoamericana de la UITA y en particular la de la organizaci�n sindical brasile�a CONTAC-CUT, que representa a trabajadores de AmBev en Brasil. Afiliadas de la UITA de todo el mundo enviaron mensajes de protesta a la compa��a y de apoyo al sindicato.
Represi�n Inc.: Los Jefes del Ej�rcito de Pakist�n Disuelven Sindicato del Az�car Un D�a despu�s del Lanzamiento de la Federaci�n Nacional
10-Jun-2003Abdus Salam Memon, Secretario General de la Army Welfare Sugar Mill Workers' Union. Fue electo para presidir la federaci�n nacional de trabajadores azucareros recientemente fundada y al d�a siguiente se orden� que su propio sindicato fuera disuelto.
Los d�as 17 y 18 de mayo, las organizaciones sindicales de la industria azucarera de Pakist�n se congregaron para fundar la primera federaci�n nacional de sindicatos del sector, la Pakistan Sugar Mill Workers' Federation . La federaci�n fue establecida con el apoyo de la UITA, en un esfuerzo para terminar con las hist�ricas divisiones que han debilitado el movimiento sindical de Pakist�n y sentar las bases para un frente unido de sindicalizaci�n y negociaciones de los trabajadores del az�car, quienes encaran el exceso de capacidad, la reestructuraci�n y la represi�n.
Al d�a siguiente del exitoso lanzamiento de la federaci�n, el secretario general de uno de los sindicatos fundadores, la Army Welfare Sugar Mills Workers' Union (AWSMWU), recibi� la orden de su jefe de disolver el sindicato.
Abdus Salam Memon, el secretario general de AWSMWU, regres� al trabajo en la noche del d�a 18, siendo c�lidamente acogido por sus compa�eros de trabajo. Al d�a siguiente, �l y otras autoridades del sindicato fueron llamados a una reuni�n con el gerente general interino, Coronel (retirado) Zahinullah Khan. Una carta del Director de Explotaciones Agr�colas de Army Welfare Trust fue presentada a los dirigentes sindicales, exigiendo la inmediata abolici�n del sindicato, bas�ndose en que el Army Welfare Sugar Mill era la �nica empresa de Army Welfare Trust que ten�a una organizaci�n sindical.
A continuaci�n el gerente general interino orden� que el sindicato � cuya existencia se remonta a 1983 cuando la planta comenz� a funcionar � cerrara su oficina y clausurara sus actividades, declarando que lo har�a por la fuerza si el sindicato no lo acataba. Los gerentes de f�brica fueron seguidamente instruidos de no mantener relaciones con la organizaci�n sindical y de cesar las comunicaciones con las autoridades electas.
Los dirigentes sindicales informaron inmediatamente a los efectivos en una asamblea general, donde los miembros condenaron la decisi�n y se comprometieron a luchar por sus derechos colectivos. Desde entonces, los trabajadores se re�nen regularmente dos veces al d�a, al comenzar y terminar su turno de trabajo.
La gerencia ha registrado una denuncia contra el presidente del sindicato y constituido una junta interna de investigaci�n. Esto ha sido interpretado por el sindicato como medidas tendientes a su despido, as� como presionar al personal a abandonar los reclamos de la negociaci�n planteadas por el sindicato el a�o pasado.
La Army Welfare Trust, establecida por las fuerzas armadas de Pakist�n en 1971, tiene importantes tenencias financieras, comerciales e inmobiliarias, siendo uno de los conglomerados m�s poderosos del pa�s. Tambi�n est� embarcada en una campa�a de represi�n contra miles de agricultores arrendatarios en las tierras de agricultura extensiva que posee en Punjab.
El sindicato protest� contra estas acciones antisindicales y est� efectuando una vigorosa campa�a dentro de Pakist�n. La UITA ha entablado una denuncia ante el Comit� de Libertad Sindical de la OIT. Les solicitamos env�en mensajes al empleador y al ministro federal de trabajo con el objeto de defender al sindicato. El mensaje a continuaci�n puede servir de modelo.
Modelo de mensaje para Army Welfare Trust
To: Lt. General (Rtd.) Masood Pervez
Managing Director
Army Welfare Trust
AWT Plaza, The Mall,
Rawalpindi
Pakistan
Fax: +92 51-9272394/+92 51-9272418
cc: Secretary of Labour
Government of Pakistan
Islamabad
Pakistan
Fax. 9251-9203462
Dear Sir:
We have been informed by the IUF that the head office of the Army Welfare Trust has issued an order to the management of Army Welfare Sugar Mills, Badin, in which the management is directed to cease recognition of the trade union at the mill, the Army Welfare Sugar Mills Workers' Union, and to forcibly stop the union's activities. The union has been in existence at the mill since 1983 and has a long-standing collective bargaining relationship with the management.
This order is in gross contravention of the rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining set out in Conventions 87 and 98 of the International labour Organisation (ILO), rights which the government of Pakistan is obliged to uphold. These Conventions have the force of international treaty law and are legally binding upon the government.
We therefore urge you to rescind this order and to ensure that the rights of the union at the Badin mill are fully restored. We shall be closely following developments in this regard.
Yours sincerely,
Traducci�n del modelo de mensaje
De nuestra consideraci�n:
He sido informado por la UITA que la oficina central de Army Welfare Trust ha emitido una orden a la gerencia de Army Welfare Sugar Mills, Badin, en la cual se le instruye a cesar el reconocimiento del sindicato en el molino, la Army Welfare Sugar Mills Workers' Union, as� como terminar con las actividades del sindicato por la fuerza. La organizaci�n sindical existe en el molino desde 1983 y mantiene una relaci�n de negociaci�n colectiva de larga duraci�n con la gerencia.
Esta orden es una crasa contravenci�n de los derechos de libertad de asociaci�n y negociaci�n colectiva contenidos en los Convenios 87 y 98 de la Organizaci�n Internacional del Trabajo (OIT), derechos que el gobierno de Pakist�n est� obligado a sostener. Estos Convenios tienen la fuerza de ley de los tratados internacionales y son jur�dicamente obligatorios para el gobierno.
Por lo tanto, le encarezco que rescinda esta orden y asegure que sean plenamente rehabilitados los derechos del sindicato en el molino de Badin. Estaremos observando estrechamente los acontecimientos a este respecto.
Muy atentamente,
S�rvase enviar copias a la secretar�a de la UITA y a la Oficina de Extensi�n de Pakist�n (Fax: + 92 21 635 0354, Correo electr�nico: [email protected]).
Agradeci�ndoles por anticipado su solidaridad y apoyo, les saludamos solidariamente,
F�rtryck AB: Pakistanska milit�rbossar uppl�ser sockerf�rbund dagen efter bildandet av nationell federation
10-Jun-2003Abdus Salam Memon, generalsekreterare i Army Welfare Sugar Mill Workers' Union. Vald att leda den nyligen grundade nationella sockerarbetarfederationen, beordrades dagen efter att uppl�sa sitt eget f�rbund.
Den 17 � 18 maj samlades fackf�rbund fr�n Pakistans sockersektor f�r att bilda den f�rsta nationella fackliga federationen i denna sektor, Pakistan Sugar Mill Workers' Federation. Federationen har bildats med st�d fr�n IUL i ett f�rs�k att f� ett slut p� den historiska splittringen som har f�rsvagat den pakistanska fackf�reningsr�relsen samt f�r att l�gga grund f�r en enad organiserings och f�rhandlingsfront av sockerarbetare som st�r inf�r �verkapacitet omstrukturering och f�rtryck.
En dag efter att federationen bildats, fick generalsekreteraren f�r ett av de f�rbund som varit drivande bakom bildandet av federationen, Army Welfare Sugar Mills Workers' Union (AWSMWU), order av sin arbetsgivare att uppl�sa f�rbundet.
Abdus Salam Memon, AWSMWU generalsekreterare �terv�nde till arbetet p� kv�llen den 18 och h�lsades varmt v�lkommen av sina arbetskamrater. Dagen efter kallades han och n�gra andra fackligt f�rtroendevalda till ett m�te med den tillf�rordnade administrativa chefen Zahinullah Khan, en pensionerad �verste. De fackliga ledarna fick se ett brev fr�n Army Welfare Trust Director of Farms med krav om ett omedelbart uppl�sande av f�rbundet, med motiveringen att Army Welfare Sugar Mill var en enda f�retaget inom Army Welfare Trust som var fackligt organiserat.
Den administrativa chefen beordrade d�refter att f�rbundet skulle uppl�sas, f�rbundet bildades i samband med att fabriken p�b�rjade sin produktion 1983, han kr�vde att f�rbundets kontor st�ngdes och att all aktivitet upph�rde. Han konstaterade att han skulle anv�nda v�ld om f�rbundet inte f�ljde hans instruktioner. Fabrikschefer fick order att inte ha n�gon kontakt med f�rbundet och sluta vara i kontakt med f�rtroendevalda i f�rbundet.
De fackliga ledarna informerade omedelbart medlemmarna i ett allm�nt m�te, d�r medlemmarna f�rd�mde besluten och lovade att k�mpa f�r sina kollektiva r�ttigheter. D�refter har arbetstagarna tr�ffats regelbundet tv� g�nger om dagen, vid b�rjan och slutet av sina skift.
F�retagsledningen har noterat klagom�l mot f�rbundets president och satt upp en intern unders�kningskommitt� som av f�rbundet uppfattas som ett s�tt f�r att f� honom avskedad samt f�r att s�tta press p� arbetsstyrkan att ge upp de f�rhandlingskrav f�rbundet sammanst�llde f�rra �ret.
Army Welfare Trust, som grundades av den pakistanska milit�ren 1971, har ett omfattande �gande inom finans-, aff�rs- och fastighetssektorn, de �r en av landets m�ktigaste koncerner. De har ocks� engagerat sig i en kampanj f�r att f�rtrycka de tusentals arrendatorer man har p� de stora landegendomar f�retaget �ger i Punjab.
F�rbundet har protesterat mot dessa anti-fackliga �tg�rder till de lokala myndigheterna och driver en kraftfull kampanj i Pakistan. IUL har anm�lt fr�gan till ILOs f�reningsr�ttskommitt�. Vi ber er skicka meddelanden till arbetsgivaren och till den federala arbetsmarknadsministern till f�rsvar f�r f�rbundet. Det nedanst�ende meddelandet kan kanske vara en mall f�r ert meddelande.
F�rslag till protestmeddelande till Army Welfare Trust
Till: Lt. General (Rtd.) Masood Pervez
Managing Director
Army Welfare Trust
AWT Plaza, The Mall,
Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Fax: +92 51-9272394/+92 51-9272418
cc: Secretary of Labour
Government of Pakistan
Islamabad, Pakistan
Fax. 9251-9203462
Sir:
I have been informed by the IUF that the head office of the Army Welfare Trust has issued an order to the management of Army Welfare Sugar Mills, Badin, in which the management is directed to case recognition of the trade union at the mill, the Army Welfare Sugar Mills Workers' Union, and to forcibly stop the union's activities. The union has been in existence at the mill since 1983 and has a long-standing collective bargaining relationship with the management.
This order is in gross contravention of the rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining set out in Conventions 87 and 98 of the International labour Organization (ILO), rights which the government of Pakistan is obliged to uphold. These Conventions have the force of international treaty law and are legally binding upon the government.
I therefore urge you to rescind this order and to ensure that the rights of the union at the Badin mill are fully restored. I shall be closely following developments in this regard.
Yours sincerely,
Vi har informerats av IUL att Army Welfare Trusts huvudkontor har gett order till f�retagsledningen vid Army Welfare Sugar Mills, Badin att man ska upph�ra med att erk�nna fackf�reningen vid fabriken, Army Welfare Sugar Mills Workers' Union, och tvinga fackf�reningen att upph�ra med sina aktiviteter. Fackf�rbundet har existerat sedan 1983 och har sedan l�nge tecknat kollektivavtal med f�retagsledningen.
Denna order �r ett grovt brott mot r�tten att fritt organisera och f�rhandla om kollektivavtal som sl�s fast i konvention 87 och 98 fr�n den Internationella arbetsorganisationen (ILO), r�ttigheter den pakistanska regeringen har �tagit sig att uppr�tth�lla. Dessa konventioner har samma kraft som ett internationellt f�rdrag och �r juridiskt bindande f�r regeringen.
Vi uppmanar er d�rf�r att upph�va denna order och att f�rs�kra att de fackliga r�ttigheterna vid Badin fabriken �teruppr�ttas. Vi kommer att noggrant f�lja utvecklingen av detta fall.
Med v�nlig h�lsning!
Var v�nlig och skicka kopior till IULs secretariat och till IUF Pakistan Outreach Office (Fax: + 92 21 635 0534, E-mail: [email protected]).
Vi tackar p� f�rhand f�r er solidaritet och ert st�d.
Unilever India: Restructuring, Lockout and Conflict
11-Jun-2003The IUF-affiliated All India Council of Unilever Unions (AICUU) is currently involved in several serious conflicts with Hindustan Lever Ltd (HLL), the giant majority-owned Unilever subsidiary in India.
The Hindustan Lever Employees Union (HLEU) has been locked out for three months by the company at the Garden Reach factory in Calcutta. The major issue is the company's determination to impose a drastic reduction in employment of some 500 permanent workers and 150 contract workers. The company is offering a Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) which is becoming compulsory under the pressure of the lockout.
One branch of the AICUU, the Brooke Bond Federation, has been unable to conclude current collective bargaining negotiations because of HLL's resistance to paying a decent salary increase.
The underlying problem is that HLL has adopted a policy of shifting production from its established plants to new units in areas where they are granted tax concessions, thereby leading to restructuring and massive reductions of jobs in existing plants.
The AICUU has called for a united day of action throughout India on 12 June in support of its members in both branches.
The IUF has sent a protest message to the Chairman of HLL, with copies to the two co-chairmen of Unilever. The ICEM has also sent a message.
To support the unions in their conflict with the company, we ask that you send similar messages to HLL and Unilever. with copies to the IUF secretariat and by e-mail to the AICUU at [email protected] and [email protected] The following may serve as a sample message.
Sample Message to the Chairman of Hindustan Lever
To: Mr. M. S. Banga, Chairman
Hindustan Lever Ltd.
165/166, Backbay Reclamation
Mumbai-400 020
India
Fax: +91 22 2285 5633
cc: Niall Fitzgerald, Chairman, Unilever PLC
Fax: +44 20 7822 5951
Antony Burgmans, Chairman, Unilever N.V.
Fax +31 10 217 4798
Concerns: Lockout and industrial relations problems at Hindustan Lever Ltd.
Dear Sir:
Through the IUF, I have learned of the concerns expressed by its affiliated organisation All India Council of Unilever Unions (AICUU) regarding a number of grave problems involving its member unions at various units of Hindustan Lever.
One immediate concern is the deadlock over the current negotiations with the Brooke Bond Federation, which results from inadequate financial proposals by your Beverage Department.
Another is the lockout at the Garden Reach Factory in Calcutta, which began on 21 March 2003, and continues.
The company's policy of shifting production from its established plants to new units in other areas where they are granted tax concessions results in restructuring and job losses in those established factories. By making the local union's acceptance of large-scale Voluntary Retirement Schemes (VRS) a pre-condition for negotiations at Garden Reach and other factories, your local managements have put a major obstacle in the path of resolving disputes amicably through normal collective bargaining.
I request that you lift the lockout and resume dialogue with the local union leadership to resolve all the issues, including the reorganisation and restructuring of the factory and the Charter of Demands of the workforce.
Yours sincerely
Kindly send copies of your messges to the IUF secretariat and by e-mail to the AICUU at [email protected] and [email protected]
We thank you for your solidarity and support
Nestl� El Salvador: Union Rights Under Attack
11-Jun-2003On 8 April 2003 Nestl� El Salvador announced to its employees that its factory at Ilopango would be permanently closed at the end of the month. Its production of instant coffee would be transferred to plants in Brazil, Mexico or Colombia.
At the same time it announced that its 75 workers and 22 administrative employees would be paid two months' salaries in addition to its statutory obligations under the law of El Salvador.
The IUF-affiliated union SETNESSA (Sindicato de Empresa de Trabajadores Nestl� S.A.), representing the large majority of the workers, demanded that the workers receive pay and benefits through the term of the collective bargaining agreement that expires at the end of 2003. The union pointed out that the majority of workers were too young to retire but too old to find other work in an area where the majority of the population are unemployed or under-employed.
Rather than negotiate, the company tried to create a fait accompli. It ordered the union to vacate its office within the plant, refused to meet with the union, and on 28 April locked the factory gates, posting a notice that told workers to report to the Ministry of Labour to collect their severance payments.
Workers were told that if they did not terminate their employment by accepting these payments the offer of two months' pay would be withheld. Under these threats, all of the administrative employees (non-unionised) and 38 of the workers accepted the payments. However 36 workers decided to continue the struggle, and occupied the union office within the closed plant.
The regional and global IUF secretariats protested to Nestl� Vevey, which promised to organise a meeting with the union in El Salvador. However as of this date Nestl� El Salvador has not contacted SETNESSA leadership. Instead, it simply sought to buy time to renew pressure on the remaining workers to accept the company's terms. It again announced that severance checks could be picked up at the Ministry of Labour with the threat that they might not remain so for much longer.
We ask that you send a protest message to the general management of Nestl� demanding that it negotiate in good faith with the SETNESSA union over the impact of this sudden closure on its workers in El Salvador.A sample message is follows below.
Sample Message to Nestl� Management
To: Peter Brabeck-Lemathe, CEO
Nestl�
55 Ave Nestl�
CH-1800 Vevey
Fax: 41 21 924 54 38
E-mail: [email protected]
cc: Francisco Casta�er, General Manager
Fax: +41 21 924 45 52
E-mail: [email protected]
Paul Broeckx, Senior Vice-President for Human Resources
Fax: +41 21 924 45 04
E-mail: [email protected]
Concerns: Closing of Factory in El Salvador
Dear Sir,
I am deeply concerned about the impact of the closure of the Ilopango factory in El Salvador. Although offering an additional severance payment to complement the requirements of Salvadoran law, the company has not yet met with the SETNESSA union to negotiate an adequate social plan to meet the needs of its workers in an area confronted with high unemployment. We particularly deplore the pressure that has been put on workers to accept these payments under the threat that Nestl� will withhold the additional payment of two month's salary.
I ask that you urge your local management in El Salvador to meet with the SETNESSA union to address and remedy these serious problems.
Sincerely yours,
Kindly send copies of your message to the IUF secretariat. We thank you in advance for your solidarity and support.
Iraq: No Democracy Without Strong Unions/Labour Must Act Now
11-Jun-2003The International Federation of Workers' Educational Associations (IFWEA), at its executive meeting of May 31-June 1 in Oslo, Norway, adopted the following resolution on the need for sustained international trade union support for building a democratic labour movement in Iraq. The IUF endorses this call for action.
The new situation created in Iraq through the overthrow of the totalitarian regime of the Baath Party controlled by Saddam Hussein represents a challenge to the international democratic labour movement.
The collapse of the Baathist State structures includes the collapse of the labour organizations which they controlled. They have not so far been replaced by genuine trade unions controlled by the workers themselves. At this critical juncture, the Iraqi workers have as yet no organization through which they can defend their rights and assert their interests.
At the same time, the US/UK occupation authorities and their allies have invited transnational corporations to undertake the "reconstruction" of the Iraqi economy and infrastructures which they have destroyed. A number of these corporations are notorious for their anti-union policies and practices. Inevitably, workers in Iraq will enter into conflict with these corporations when they assert their rights.
The political forces which have emerged in Iraq before and since the collapse of the Baathist regime are, for the most part, hostile to the democratic labour movement and, indeed, to a democratic civil society. They represent nationalist, religious extremist and conservative forces with a "free market" agenda supported by the occupation authorities.
Unless Iraqi workers receive massive international support in their coming struggles, and in their efforts to re-establish organizations through which they can effectively defend themselves, they risk becoming the principal victims of the war, after having been the victims of the totalitarian regime. Workers' organizations in democratic countries wishing to support the Iraqi people have so far focused on immediate humanitarian needs. The time has now come to address basic political and social issues.
The IFWEA EC therefore:
- expresses its solidarity with the workers of Iraq and pledges its support for every effort they will undertake to build their own democratic organizations;
- declares that, in addition to enforcing the rule of law and establishing representative public authorities and institutions, the establishment of democracy in Iraq also requires the unfettered activity of independent workers' organizations controlled by the workers themselves;
- pledges its support for the establishment and development of all institutions of a democratic civil society, such as independent, democratic and secular women's organizations, human rights organizations, welfare and solidarity organizations, educational institutions and cooperatives;
- stresses the importance of developing democratic workers' education and pledges itself to supporting the appropriate activities and structures;
- demands that the governments of the United States of America and of the United Kingdom instruct their representatives in Iraq to enforce respect of basic workers' rights, in particular the right to form trade unions, to bargain collectively and to strike;
further demands that the future government of Iraq enforce the same rights and revalidate and implement the fifty-seven ILO conventions previous governments have ratified over eighty-four years, - stresses the importance of developing democratic workers' education and pledges itself to supporting the appropriate activities and structures;
Nestl� au Salvador � attaque contre les droits syndicaux
12-Jun-2003Le 8 avril 2003, Nestl� Salvador annon�ait � ses employ�s/es que son usine de Ilopango serait ferm�e � la fin du mois et que sa production de caf� instantan� serait relocalis�e dans des usines du Br�sil, du Mexique ou de Colombie.
En m�me temps, la soci�t� annon�ait que les 75 travailleurs/euses et les 22 membres du personnel administratif recevraient une somme �quivalant � deux mois de salaires en plus des indemnit�s pr�vues par les lois du travail du Salvador.
L�organisation affili�e SETNESSA (Sindicato de Empresa de Trabajadores Nestl� S.A.), qui repr�sente la majorit� des travailleurs/euses, a exig� que la soci�t� verse les salaires et les avantages sociaux jusqu�� l�expiration de la convention collective, � la fin de 2003. Le syndicat a soulign� que la majorit� des travailleurs/euses �taient � la fois trop jeunes pour prendre leur retraite et trop �g�s/es pour trouver un nouvel emploi dans une r�gion o� la majorit� de la population est sans travail ou sous-employ�e.
Plut�t que de n�gocier, la soci�t� a tent� de cr�er un fait accompli. Elle a ordonn� au syndicat de quitter ses locaux de l�usine, refus� de rencontrer la direction syndicale et placard� un avis indiquant aux travailleurs/euses de se pr�senter aux bureaux du minist�re du Travail pour toucher leur indemnit� de licenciement.
La soci�t� a inform� les travailleurs/euses qu�elle retirerait son offre de deux mois de salaire en cas de refus de leur part de mettre fin � leur emploi aux conditions offertes. C�dant � la menace, la totalit� des membres du personnel administratif (non-syndiqu�) et 38 travailleurs/euses ont accept� les indemnit�s. Toutefois, 36 autres travailleurs/euses ont choisi de poursuivre la lutte et occup� les bureaux du syndicat dans l�usine, maintenant ferm�e.
Le secr�tariat r�gional et le secr�tariat g�n�ral de l�UITA ont protest� aupr�s de Nestl� Vevey, qui a promis de tenir une rencontre avec le syndicat au Salvador. � ce jour toutefois, Nestl� Salvador n�a toujours pas pris contact avec la direction de SETNESSA. La soci�t� tente plut�t de gagner du temps afin d�augmenter la pression sur les travailleurs/euses toujours en lutte afin de les amener � accepter ses conditions, annon�ant encore une fois que les indemnit�s de licenciement pouvaient �tre per�ues au bureau du minist�re du Travail, laissant encore planer la menace d�un retrait de l�offre.
Nous vous demandons de faire parvenir un message de protestation � la direction g�n�rale de Nestl� afin d�exiger l�ouverture de n�gociations de bonne foi avec SETNESSA sur les effets de cette fermeture soudaine pour les travailleurs/euses du Salvador. Vous trouverez un mod�le de lettre ci-dessous.
Mod�le de message � la direction de Nestl�
Monsieur Peter Brabeck-Lemathe, CEO
Nestl�
55 Ave Nestl�
CH-1800 Vevey
T�l�copieur: 41 21 924 54 38
Courriel: [email protected]
c.c.: Francisco Casta�er, Directeur g�n�ral
T�l�c.: +41 21 924 45 52
Courriel: [email protected]
Paul Broeckx, Premier vice-pr�sident, Ressources humaines
T�l�c.: +41 21 924 45 04
Courriel: [email protected]
Objet: fermeture d�une usine au Salvador
Monsieur,
Je d�sire vous faire part de ma profonde pr�occupation face aux r�percussions de la fermeture de l�usine de Ilopango au Salvador. Bien qu�elle ait offert une indemnit� suppl�mentaire en compl�ment des paiements requis en vertu des lois salvadoriennes du travail, la soci�t� n�as pas encore rencontr� l�organisation syndicale SETNESSA afin de n�gocier un plan social ad�quat permettant de r�pondre aux besoins des travailleurs/euses dans une r�gion frapp�e par un taux de ch�mage �lev�. Nous d�plorons en particulier les pressions faites sur les travailleurs/euses afin de les inciter � accepter ces indemnit�s, sous la menace de retirer l�offre d�indemnit� suppl�mentaire de deux mois de salaire.
Nous vous demandons de faire pression sur la direction locale de Nestl� au Salvador afin qu�elle rencontre la direction de SETNESSA afin de discuter de ce grave probl�me et d�y apporter une solution.
Veuillez agr�er, monsieur, l�expression de mes sentiments distingu�s.
Veuillez transmettre une copie de tout message envoy� au secr�tariat de l�UITA. Nous vous remercions � l�avance de votre solidarit� et de votre appui.
Unilever India: Reestructuraci�n, Cierre patronal y Conflicto
12-Jun-2003El All India Council of Unilever Unions (AICUU), afiliado a la UITA, est� haciendo frente a varios problemas serios con Hindustan Lever Ltd. (HLL), la gigante subsidiaria en India, cuyo propietario mayoritario es Unilever.
La Hindustan Lever Employees Union (HLEU) ha confrontado un cierre patronal de tres meses por parte de la compa��a en la f�brica Garden Reach en Kolkatta. La cuesti�n principal consiste en la decisi�n de la empresa de imponer una dr�stica reducci�n de empleo a unos 500 trabajadores/as permanentes y 150 trabajadores/as contratados. La compa��a est� ofreciendo un Esquema de Retiro Voluntario (ERV), que se est� transformando en obligatorio bajo la presi�n del cierre patronal.
Un sector del AICUU, la Brooke Bond Federation, no ha podido concluir las actuales negociaciones colectivas debido a la resistencia de HLL a pagar un aumento salarial decente.
El problema subyacente radica en que HLL ha adoptado una pol�tica de transferencia de producci�n desde sus plantas establecidas, a nuevas unidades ubicadas en zonas donde se le otorgan concesiones impositivas, lo cual conduce a la reestructuraci�n y reducciones masivas de puestos de trabajo en las plantas existentes.
El AICUU ha hecho un llamado para una jornada de acci�n unida en toda la India el d�a 12 de junio, con el fin de apoyar a sus miembros en ambos sectores.
La UITA ha enviado un mensaje de protesta al Presidente de HLL, con copias a los dos co-presidentes de Unilever. ICEM tambi�n ha enviado un mensaje.
A fin de apoyar a los sindicatos en su conflicto con la compa��a, les solicitamos que env�en mensajes similares a HLL y Unilever, con copias a la secretar�a de la UITA y por correo electr�nico al AICUU a [email protected] y [email protected] El siguiente mensaje puede servir como modelo.
Modelo de Mensaje para el Presidente de Hindustan Lever
To: Mr. M. S. Banga, Chairman
Hindustan Lever Ltd.
165/166, Backbay Reclamation
Mumbai-400 020
India
Fax: +91 22 2285 5633
cc: Niall Fitzgerald, Chairman, Unilever PLC; fax: +44 20 7822 5951
Antony Burgmans, Chairman, Unilever N.V.; fax +31 10 217 4798
Concerns: Labour/Industrial Problems at Hindustan Lever Ltd
Dear Sir,
The IUF has been informed by our affiliated organisation All India Council of Unilever Unions (AICUU) of a number of grave concerns involving its member unions at various units of Hindustan Lever.
One immediate concern is the deadlock over the current negotiations with the Brooke Bond Federation, which results from inadequate financial proposals by your Beverage Department.
Another is the lockout at the Garden Reach Factory in Kolkata, which began on 21 March 2003, and continues. We request that you lift the lockout and resume dialogue with the local union leadership to resolve all the issues, including the reorganisation and restructuring of the factory and the Charter of Demands on the workforce.
The company's policy of shifting production from its established plants to new units in other areas where they are granted tax concessions results in restructuring and job losses in those established factories. By making the local union's acceptance of large-scale Voluntary Retirement Schemes (VRS) a pre-condition for negotiations at Garden Reach and other factories, your local management's put a major obstacle in the path of resolving disputes amicably through normal collective bargaining.
The IUF, whose affiliated unions represent Unilever employees throughout the world, supports the AICUU in its struggles for the rights of the employees of Hindustan Lever.
Sincerely yours,
Traducci�n del Modelo de Mensaje
A: Mr. M. S. Banga, Presidente
Hindustan Lever Ltd.
165/166, Backbay Reclamation
Mumbai-400 020
India
Fax: +91 22 2285 5633
cc: Niall Fitzgerald, Presidente, Unilever PLC
Fax: +44 20 7822 5951
Antony Burgmans, Presidente, Unilever N.V.
Fax +31 10 217 4798
Ref.: Cierre patronal y problemas en relaciones sindicales en Hindustan Lever Ltd.
De nuestra consideraci�n:
Por medio de la UITA hemos sido informados de las preocupaciones expresadas por su organizaci�n afiliada, All India Council of Unilever Unions (AICUU), acerca de una serie de graves problemas que afectan a sus organizaciones sindicales miembros en diversas unidades de Hindustan Lever.
Una preocupaci�n inmediata es la paralizaci�n de las actuales negociaciones con la Brooke Bond Federation, como resultado de inadecuadas propuestas financieras por parte de su Departamento de Bebidas.
Otra inquietud se refiere al cierre patronal en la f�brica Garden Reach en Kolkatta, que comenz� el 21 de marzo del 2003 y a�n contin�a.
La pol�tica de la compa��a de transferir la producci�n desde sus plantas establecidas a nuevas unidades en otras zonas, donde se le otorgan concesiones impositivas, acarrea la reestructuraci�n y la p�rdida de puestos de trabajo en dichas f�bricas establecidas. Al determinar que la aceptaci�n de los Esquemas de Retiro Voluntario (ERV) en gran escala por parte del sindicato local sea un pre-requisito para las negociaciones en Garden Reach y otras f�bricas, su gerencia local coloc� un obst�culo vital en el camino de la amigable soluci�n de conflictos mediante la negociaci�n colectiva normal.
Le solicito que levante el cierre patronal y reanude el di�logo con los dirigentes del sindicato local, con el objeto de resolver todos los temas, incluyendo la reorganizaci�n y reestructuraci�n de la f�brica y de la Carta de Exigencias sobre el personal.
Muy atentamente
S�rvanse enviar copias de vuestros mensajes a la secretar�a de la UITA y por correo electr�nico al AICUU a [email protected] y [email protected]
Agradecemos vuestra solidaridad y apoyo
[<<] ... 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 ... [>>]