IndustriALL signs GFA with Siemens

In that agreement Siemens again commits itself to fundamental workers’ rights such as equal opportunity and freedom of association and collective bargaining.

“For the employees and unions, it is of particular importance that globally active companies should support human and workers’ rights and act accordingly,” said Berthold Huber, First Chairman of IG Metall and President of IndustriALL Global Union. “With Siemens we have enshrined that in our joint declaration.”

The Agreement refers to the fundamental workers’ rights contained in the relevant international conventions, the core labour standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the UN initiative of the Global Compact. These include, for example, the abolition of forced labour, a ban on discrimination and the principle of equal treatment, prohibition of child labour, the establishment of a minimum employment age, and freedom of association and collective bargaining.

Jyrki Raina, General Secretary of IndustriALL Global Union, said, “The Siemens agreement is one of 40 agreements between IndustriALL and multinational companies, setting the standards for company behavior towards its workforce and unions around the world.”

Lothar Adler, Chairman of the Siemens General Works Council, said, “We are for fair employment conditions worldwide. The Agreement lays particular stress on the fundamental rights of Siemens’ employees. For us, people come before profits. The signing of this agreement will make it possible for the right to participate for fair working conditions to continue to be observed in practice.”

In a company press release Peter Löscher, Siemens CEO, said the agreement was the result of Siemens AG’s awareness of its responsibility toward its employees and shows the relationship of trust among the company, the works council and the union.

Copies of the Global Framework Agreement in German and English are published on the IndustriALL Global Union website.