15 August, 2005ICEM News release No. 16/2005
An ICEM project to inject issue-based Social Dialogue between the Global Union Federation’s Colombian affiliates and enterprises of multinational enterprises—a first for Colombia—met with continued success late in June. ICEM and affiliates achieved commitments from several companies and the Colombian government to enter Social Dialogue and make improvements in three major areas—HIV/AIDS, contract labour, and the horrendous security problem faced by trade unionists inside Colombia.
“I feel we made a breakthrough in defining a set of issues that will make an impact on working life in Colombia,” said Fred Higgs, ICEM General Secretary. “There are certain issues that unions and companies must discuss, and HIV/AIDS, short-term contract labour, and security are three in Colombia. If real dialogue can start over issues this major, then dialogue can certainly occur on other workplace issues.”
The ICEM’s effort to launch a Social Dialogue programme between affiliates and multinationals doing business in Colombia began in October 2004 when a number of corporations accepted the global federation’s invite to join. Then, a series of meetings over several days produced a commitment on a timetable through 2006.
That included last week’s meetings in which six major companies in ICEM industrial sectors agreed to engage in the three issues, as well as the Colombia’s Ministry for Social Protection supporting the initiative.
Regarding HIV/AIDS, recognition was made that negotiation of anti-discrimination and anti-victimization agreements must occur; the ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS must be promoted; prevention and peer education programmes must start; voluntary counseling and testing programmes which workers trust must commence; and health care facilities for victims, their families and the broader community must be expanded.
On contract labour, the ICEM proposed dialogue on setting limits to the use of contract and agency labour; negotiations toward consulting the trade unions prior to contracts being tendered; negotiating minimum standards for contract and agency workers; and securing freedom of association for such workers and access to trade unions be guaranteed.
On security, the ICEM and its Colombian partners agreed to continue highlighting, at the international level, threats and assassinations by paramilitaries of Colombian trade unionists.
“Security of trade union activists,” stated Higgs, “must be a shared responsibility with both the state and employers taking the necessary steps to maximize individual protections in such cases.”
Companies that participated in late June’s discussions include AngloAmerican, BHP Billiton and Glencore, the three shareholders in the massive Carbones de Cerrejon mining company; Linde, a German refrigeration, gases, and materials handling company; Union Fenosa, electrical distributor from Spain; Endesa, a Spanish energy company; and Owens Illinois, a US glass maker. The Colombian unions involved with the ICEM on the project include: Sindicato de Trabajadores (SINTRAELECOL), Sindicato de la Industria Química (SINTRAQUIM), Sincato Nacional de los Trabajores de la Industria del Carbon (SINTRACARBON), Federacion Nacional de Tecnicos Electricistas Y Afines de Colombia (FENATEC), and Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Industria Del Vidrio Y Afines de Colombia (SINTRAVIDRICOL).
The ICEM-initiated Social Dialogue project is part of a programme adopted at the 20-million-member global federation’s 2003 Congress in Norway, and is supported by ICEM’s Swedish affiliates.
“I feel we made a breakthrough in defining a set of issues that will make an impact on working life in Colombia,” said Fred Higgs, ICEM General Secretary. “There are certain issues that unions and companies must discuss, and HIV/AIDS, short-term contract labour, and security are three in Colombia. If real dialogue can start over issues this major, then dialogue can certainly occur on other workplace issues.”
The ICEM’s effort to launch a Social Dialogue programme between affiliates and multinationals doing business in Colombia began in October 2004 when a number of corporations accepted the global federation’s invite to join. Then, a series of meetings over several days produced a commitment on a timetable through 2006.
That included last week’s meetings in which six major companies in ICEM industrial sectors agreed to engage in the three issues, as well as the Colombia’s Ministry for Social Protection supporting the initiative.
Regarding HIV/AIDS, recognition was made that negotiation of anti-discrimination and anti-victimization agreements must occur; the ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS must be promoted; prevention and peer education programmes must start; voluntary counseling and testing programmes which workers trust must commence; and health care facilities for victims, their families and the broader community must be expanded.
On contract labour, the ICEM proposed dialogue on setting limits to the use of contract and agency labour; negotiations toward consulting the trade unions prior to contracts being tendered; negotiating minimum standards for contract and agency workers; and securing freedom of association for such workers and access to trade unions be guaranteed.
On security, the ICEM and its Colombian partners agreed to continue highlighting, at the international level, threats and assassinations by paramilitaries of Colombian trade unionists.
“Security of trade union activists,” stated Higgs, “must be a shared responsibility with both the state and employers taking the necessary steps to maximize individual protections in such cases.”
Companies that participated in late June’s discussions include AngloAmerican, BHP Billiton and Glencore, the three shareholders in the massive Carbones de Cerrejon mining company; Linde, a German refrigeration, gases, and materials handling company; Union Fenosa, electrical distributor from Spain; Endesa, a Spanish energy company; and Owens Illinois, a US glass maker. The Colombian unions involved with the ICEM on the project include: Sindicato de Trabajadores (SINTRAELECOL), Sindicato de la Industria Química (SINTRAQUIM), Sincato Nacional de los Trabajores de la Industria del Carbon (SINTRACARBON), Federacion Nacional de Tecnicos Electricistas Y Afines de Colombia (FENATEC), and Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Industria Del Vidrio Y Afines de Colombia (SINTRAVIDRICOL).
The ICEM-initiated Social Dialogue project is part of a programme adopted at the 20-million-member global federation’s 2003 Congress in Norway, and is supported by ICEM’s Swedish affiliates.