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21 May, 2013
In 2013, the Global Union Federations of Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) and IndustriALL Global Union decide to sign a new Global Framework Agreement with Lafarge on corporate social responsibility and international industrial relations, after a first agreement had been signed, in 2005, in order to promote and protect worker’s rights.
This new agreement promotes Lafarge’s commitment to international fundamental labor rights, recognizes the principles expressed in the UN Guiding Principles on business and human rights and upholds best practices regarding union rights and social dialogue.
It also reinforces Lafarge actions in fields like health and safety or diversity thanks to new statements and a direct reference to the Group strategy with its “2020 Ambitions” on sustainable development.
Regarding its business partners, this 2013 agreement states that Lafarge requires from its suppliers and subcontractors to respect the national legislation, as well as the fundamental human rights mentioned in the agreement and prohibits practices that aim to diminish the rights of migrant workers.
From now on, as observer, the European Works Council’s Secretary will attend the Reference Group annual meetings which review the implementation of the international agreement.
BWI General Secretary Ambet Yuson states that “especially the commitments of Lafarge to apply agreed standards in its subcontractors and the commitment of the company and its subcontractors for direct employment are beyond those of its competitors and therefore standard setting for the cement industry”.
IndustriALL’s General Secretary, Jyrki Raina, states that for IndustriALL Global Union, "the provisions in the renewed agreement represent significant improvements for workers and trade unions, especially the provisions on freedom of association, subcontractors and the settlement of disputes. It is crucial to improve social dialogue between trade unions and management for the betterment of living and working conditions for cement workers across the world”.
Lafarge Chairman and CEO, Bruno Lafont expressed his satisfaction regarding this new agreement: “This agreement highlights the constant and positive dialogue between the Group and the Global Union Federations. It illustrates the coherence of our actions with our values in all our countries of operations”.
This new agreement was signed at the International Labour Organization (ILO) in presence of the Director-General, Guy Ryder, who stated: “The ILO welcomes the agreement which reinforces the commitment of Lafarge to the respect of workers' rights, including in the companies and sub-contractors that supply it. It is a good example of how social dialogue can positively impact on working conditions in a global context."
Information:
The BWI, Building and Wood Workers’ International is a Global Union Federation organising more than 12 million members in 320 trade unions in 125 countries around the world in the building, building materials, wood, forestry and allied industries.
The IndustriALL Global Union is a Global Union Federation organising workers in the mining, energy and manufacturing sectors. IndustriALL Global Union unites trade unions from 140 countries representing in total around 50 million workers in these industries.
Lafarge is the world leader in building materials, holds top-ranking positions in all three of its activities: Cement, Aggregates & Concrete. Lafarge employs 65,000 people in 64 countries.
Press contacts:
Lafarge: Christel des Royeries
Tel.: +33 1 44 34 19 47
Email: [email protected]
BWI : Geneviève F. Kalina
Tel.: +41 22 827 37 77
Email: [email protected]
IndustriALL: Alex Ivanou
Tel. :+41 22 308 50 33
Email : [email protected]