15 August, 2005ICEM News release No. 43/2004
The 20-million-member ICEM, the global union federation for the energy, mining, chemical and processed industries’ sectors, has succeeded in bringing a first-ever process of Social Dialogue between Colombian trade unions and multinational companies. In a series of meetings in Colombia this month between unions and employers facilitated by the ICEM, a formalized process was established with eight companies over dialogue on a full range of social issues.
“The ICEM is in a unique position. Through our global affiliates, we represent workers across the world at these companies,” stated General Secretary Fred Higgs. “Our affiliated trade unions in Colombia recognize this initiative as a vehicle for peace and reconciliation, and a meaningful attempt to establish full human and trade union rights.”
Higgs added, “Trade Unions are among the few democratic structures in Colombia. We see this process of Social Dialogue with employers as a major step to achieving peace and justice in this war-torn country.”
The multinational companies that accepted the invitation of the ICEM and Colombia trade unions include: the Spanish energy firm Endesa; Spanish electrical distributor Unión Fenosa; Swiss oil and gas trader Glencore; Australian mining concern BHP Billiton; British-based mining company Anglo-American; German gas, engineering, materials handling and refrigeration firm Linde AG; UK’s household products group Reckitt Benckiser; and Irish paper and packaging company Jefferson Smurfit Group.
ICEM’s Colombian trade union affiliates involved include: Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Electricidad (SINTRAELECOL), Sindicato Nacional de los Trabajores de la Industria del Carbón (SINTRACARBON), Sindicato de la Industria Químca (SINTRAQUIM), and Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de Cartón (SINTRACARCOL).
At the inaugural set of meetings in mid-October, the unions met with Colombian managers of all companies as a group, and then individually to set a working process into the year 2006. Labour and management began the process immediately at the company level by designating contact point persons and introducing procedures to follow within each company. Agreement was made to convene two collective seminars prior to June 2005 on international labour standards and human rights. And then in June another conference of all participants will convene with the ICEM to shape an agenda for 2006.
Colombia’s labour-management Social Dialogue process will operate on two levels: at corporate level, in which best practices will be developed regarding the international standards, labour relations, working conditions and physical security of trade union leaders; and at multi-company level, whereby initiatives and experiences will be shared with other companies operating in Colombia.
The ICEM-initiated Social Dialogue process is part of a programme adopted at the GUF’s 2003 Congress in Norway to provide resources and awareness to the trade unions of Colombia.
“The ICEM is in a unique position. Through our global affiliates, we represent workers across the world at these companies,” stated General Secretary Fred Higgs. “Our affiliated trade unions in Colombia recognize this initiative as a vehicle for peace and reconciliation, and a meaningful attempt to establish full human and trade union rights.”
Higgs added, “Trade Unions are among the few democratic structures in Colombia. We see this process of Social Dialogue with employers as a major step to achieving peace and justice in this war-torn country.”
The multinational companies that accepted the invitation of the ICEM and Colombia trade unions include: the Spanish energy firm Endesa; Spanish electrical distributor Unión Fenosa; Swiss oil and gas trader Glencore; Australian mining concern BHP Billiton; British-based mining company Anglo-American; German gas, engineering, materials handling and refrigeration firm Linde AG; UK’s household products group Reckitt Benckiser; and Irish paper and packaging company Jefferson Smurfit Group.
ICEM’s Colombian trade union affiliates involved include: Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Electricidad (SINTRAELECOL), Sindicato Nacional de los Trabajores de la Industria del Carbón (SINTRACARBON), Sindicato de la Industria Químca (SINTRAQUIM), and Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de Cartón (SINTRACARCOL).
At the inaugural set of meetings in mid-October, the unions met with Colombian managers of all companies as a group, and then individually to set a working process into the year 2006. Labour and management began the process immediately at the company level by designating contact point persons and introducing procedures to follow within each company. Agreement was made to convene two collective seminars prior to June 2005 on international labour standards and human rights. And then in June another conference of all participants will convene with the ICEM to shape an agenda for 2006.
Colombia’s labour-management Social Dialogue process will operate on two levels: at corporate level, in which best practices will be developed regarding the international standards, labour relations, working conditions and physical security of trade union leaders; and at multi-company level, whereby initiatives and experiences will be shared with other companies operating in Colombia.
The ICEM-initiated Social Dialogue process is part of a programme adopted at the GUF’s 2003 Congress in Norway to provide resources and awareness to the trade unions of Colombia.