20 October, 2008
Established in 2006, the South-East European Energy Union Network held its second general assembly in Istanbul on 18 October, and the ICEM participated. Hosted by ICEM Turkish affiliate Petrol-İş, the weekend meeting was attended by 90 delegates and observers from 16 trade unions in 13 countries.
ICEM General Secretary Manfred Warda, Petrol-İş President Mustafa Öztaşkin, and Turkish Tes-İş President Mustafa Kumlu opened the conference, and spoke on common trade union strategies in the region, as well as issues regarding against MNCs in the chemicals, oil, gas, and electric sectors. Tes-İş is the Energy, Water, and Gas Workers’ Union in Turkey, while Petrol-İş covers the oil, petrochemicals, and chemicals industries.
“In today’s globalised world, energy is very crucial and strategic,” said Warda. “Securing energy supplies and establishing the best social standards for workers in these industries is crucial.
“To create international solidarity around the globe, we welcome regional efforts like this one to coordinate and advocate on behalf of workers’ issues,” Warda added.
The regional energy network’s general assembly addressed problems arising from the deepening of sector integration, as well as EU energy policies on the South-East European Region. Delegates also confirmed participation at next month’s EU social-partner conference in Albania. They pledged to put the issue of privatisation before this conference, as one the major challenges faced by trade unions.
The conference also evaluated campaigns to recruit pipeline workers in the region, with targeting of some energy MNCs that operate in the region.
At the close of the meeting, delegates elected Franc Dolar of Slovenia as acting chair of the network, with Mustafa Öztaşkin taking up the vice-chairman position. Nikos Orfanos of Greece serves as general secretary for the network.
Trade unions from Albania, Bosnia-Herzergovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Macedonia, Greece, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, and Turkey participated in the 18 October conference.