Read this article in:
5 December, 2011
The International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions (ICEM) today signed a Global Framework Agreement (GFA) with Petróleo Brasileiro SA, or Petrobras, the world’s third largest energy company. The agreement, the 20-million-member ICEM’s 16th since 1998, was signed at the Brazilian company’s headquarters in Rio de Janeiro by ICEM General Secretary Manfred Warda, and Petrobras Director for Gas and Industry, Maria Das Gracas Silva Foster, Executive Director for Human Relations, Diego Hernandes, and Joao Antonio de Moraes, General Coordinator of FUP (the Oil and Gas Workers’ Unified federation of Brazil).
A GFA is a social pact between a multinational company and a Global Union Federation that puts in place the very highest standards regarding trade union and human rights, health, safety, and environmental practices, and quality of work principles across all of a company’s global operations.
ICEM General Secretary Manfred Warda signs Petrobras GFA
“This is ICEM’s fourth such agreement with an oil and gas concern,” said Warda, “and it embodies many of the social principles that we expect companies in extractive industries to adhere to.” The ICEM has previously negotiated GFAs with Statoil of Norway, Eni of Italy and Lukoil of Russia.
The agreement was signed with approval from ICEM Brazilian trade union affiliate, the Oil and Gas Workers’ Unified Federation (FUP), whose leaders were present at the signing together with ICEM Latin America/Caribbean Regional Vice President Sergio Novais of Brazil. Support from both FUP and Sergio Novais was important in reaching the agreement.
The agreement commits Petrobras to recognizing the right of freedom of association and to bargain collectively for all employees, as well as establishing formal dialogue channels between staff and management. It also promotes working conditions that are favorable to a balance between work, personal, and family life.
ICEM, Petrobras, FUP
The GFA states that Petrobras “will strive to get all service providers to comply” with nine labour relations points contained in the agreement, including health and safety and providing necessary equipment, permanent institutionalization of negotiation channels, and equal opportunities and promotion of training opportunities.
The agreement also recognizes global standards contained in the ILO Tripartite Declaration on Principles for Multinational Corporations and Social Policy, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Corporations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the UN Global Compact.
Warda and Petrobras CEO José S. Gabriella de Azevedo initiated talks on the ICEM-Petrobras GFA as board members of the Global Compact some three years ago.
Petrobras, 56% owned by the Brazilian government, has 80,500 employees and operates in some 30 countries. The company is a leader in exploration and production of oil, and operates 16 refineries as well as numerous petrochemical, biofuels, pipelines and other installations. The ICEM is composed of 255 national trade unions operating in 94 countries.