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21 May, 2007
Meeting in Brussels on 10-11 May, the ICEM’s Executive Committee passed two separate resolutions, one calling on multinational companies not to interfere with new labour regulations being proposed in China, and one declaring continued support and solidarity for strikers at German-based Fresenius Medical Care’s Novamed factory in Turkey.
The ICEM Executive also tabled several resolutions that will be considered at its Fourth World Congress this November in Bangkok, Thailand, including continuation of projects on HIV/AIDS and Contract and Agency Labour.
GLOBAL UNITY, GLOBAL EQUALITY
ICEM 2007 World Congress logo
The resolution on the draft Chinese labour law condemns those companies which attempt to water down the draft labour law of China’s government. The motion notes that even though the proposed law falls far short of common international standards regarding workers’ rights, some companies operating inside China oppose implementation of new labour regulations.
The ICEM also calls on multinational companies not to oppose the movement of workers in China to form “free, strong and independent trade unions.” The resolution, in its entirety, can be found here.
Regarding the ongoing dispute that ICEM Turkish affiliate Petrol-Iş is waging on behalf of 84 strikers, 82 of whom are women, the ICEM resolution deplores the conduct of Novamed. The company operates in the Antalya Free Trade Zone and makes bloodline and kidney dialysis equipment.
Novamed strikers in Antalya Free Trade Zone, Turkey
Managers of the company caused the strike, in September 2006, by severely restricting workers’ rights, particularly those of women. Such inhumane practices as making women apply for permission to become pregnant, forbidding employees from talking on the job, and threatening to move the plant from Turkey unless workers reject Petrol-Iş were severely criticised by ICEM Executive members.
The ICEM resolution states: “The practice of restricting women’s maternity rights is against ILO Conventions and EU directives and does not suit a country applying for membership in the European Union.” Workers at Novamed GmbH organised with Petrol-Iş in March 2005, but the company has refused good-faith bargaining for an initial collective agreement.
The ICEM resolution on Novamed’s horrid labour relations can be found here.