An ICTU Development Education Project No F Trade Unions orand Globalisa Trade Unions andced GlobalisaLa No-one should be compelled to work, without exception. to two core labour standards of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) which aim to eliminate all forms of forced or compulsorybour labour Basic workers’ They are also clearly statedILO in importantConvention international on Forced instruments, Labour notably rights are protected under national laws in many countries. the Basic workers’ forced or compulsory labour Universal Declaration of Human Rights Issue 1 They are also clearlyor during stated emergencies in important suchinternational as war instruments, notably Nations in 1948. rights are protected under national laws in many countries. tion the Universal Declaration of Human Rights This is according Newsletter Article 23ILO of Convention the Declaration on the says: Nations in 1948. tion Everyone has the rightbans tothe formuse of andcompulsory to join labour trade, except as unionsa means for, No.29military forof political(1930) service coercion or convict or labour the protection of hiseducation,Article interests 23 to of mobilise the Declaration or disciplineagreed says: bya workforce,the United as a punishment for Cor Everyone has the right to form and to join trade, fires unionsand earthquakes. for bans all forms of e La taking part in a strike, or as aAbolition means of of discrimination. Forced Labour 2 bour Standar These lawsthe and protection international of instruments his interests were fought for byagreed generations by the United 5 of workers and their tradeYet unions, still these working abhorrent together practices locally continue today 2 internationallyThese laws andand international vested interests instruments in many were countries fought keep for by millions generations of people enslaved ds of workers and their trade unions, working together locally , No.105 (1957) movement, working. Some through wouldor entrapped. thesay International that it was really Labour the Organisation, trade union that inventedinternationally the modern human rights system. Forced or compulsory labour ranges from slavery and debt bondage to movement, working. Some through would thesay International that it was really Labour the Organisation, trade union that But free market globalisationtraf is deliberately undermining this protection. invented the modernficking human in human rights beings.system. Millions of workers are aroundseeing 20their million hard-won bonded rights labourers under around attack., nationally the world. andOn. Lackfarms of in political South will experiencingBut free a decline market Asia,in globalisation their as workingwell as isin terms deliberatelycertain and other conditions. undermining industries, millions this protection. of men, women, and finding theMillions public of services workerschildren that are are theyseeing tied and totheir theirtheir hard-won communitieswork through rights relya undervicious on attack. circle, nationallyof debt. and The United Nations estimates that there are Irene Slegt / P weakenedexperiencing through privatisation. a decline in their working terms and conditions. finding the public" I became services thatbonded they andafter their I got communities married relyto my on husband ICTU Launches Irene Slegt / P This crisisweakened facing workers throughtwenty can privatisation. sometimes years ago result – his in afamily retreat had into been bonded for three protectionism and even racism. But a doctrine of ‘us first’ generations to the same landlord – they took loans for ANOS This crisis facing workers can sometimes result in a retreat into They are In a global economy wheremarriage, workers for across illness, the worldfor education… are pitted against IThey used are to work from protectionism and even racism. But a doctrine of ‘us first’ each other 6am in the landlord’s house, cleaning, fetching water… ANOS They are particularlyIn awhere, globalthere theyare economy Then alwayscannot Iwhere otherwouldfreely workersworkers organise go and inacross theirworkan even own the on worseworldtrade the areunions.farm…situation pitted cutting, -againstThey are each other They can be exploitedthreshing… by transnational until enterprises 7pm or later.in what Sometimes has been I would then Nikego workers in Indonesia are paid less than a living called a particularly‘race to the where,bottom’. thereback theyare to alwaysthecannot house otherfreely toworkers organise clean in everything.their an even own worsetrade Only unions.situation after - that wage to produce trainers for the world market. cannot succeed. They can be couldexploited I go by hometransnational and feed enterprises my family. in what We has were been not allowed But nowNike that workers Indonesian in Indonesia workers are are paid building less thantrade a living unions, Nike is moving production to China. A more efcalled a ‘raceto to work the bottom’. for any other landlord. wage to produce trainers for the world market. their internationalfective waysolidarity of sustaining livelihoods is for workers to strengthencannot succeed. But now that Indonesian workers are building trade Leelu Bai, former bonded labourer Global Solidarity can be betterA more protected ef if they are not undermined elsewhere. unions, Nike is moving production to China. UNI, the global union federation for workers in their internationalThefective cross-border waysolidarity of sustaining traf livelihoods is for workers to strengthen commerce, finance, telecoms and other services, Workerscan are beincreasingly betterinvolving protected linked over. W 700,000iftogetherorkers’ they are a across yearnot underminedaround borders the by world. elsewhere.virtue of being has a campaign against the traf employed by the same multinational employerrights orand by conditions working in in the one same place See prostitution and domestic service, and for work" in sweatshops. In the www . Wficking of women and children is also increasing, global productionWorkers Republicareor distribution increasingly of Ireland chain. linked togetherorkers’ across borders, Thane by District, virtue Indiaof being .union-network.org/uniwomen.nsf of the mostemployed dynamicreport by movements the increased same multinational thatevidence organises of womenemployer internationallyrights from orand Easternby conditions working to tackleEurope, in in the one same place ficking of women. the problemsglobal of production freeelsewhere market or being globalisation.distribution traf chain. of the most dynamic movementsand that organises internationally to tackle other European countries. The ICTU is encouraging trade unionists on the island of Ireland to play a the problems of free market globalisation.The trade union movement Theyis one are traded for stronger role in this international movementficked, - throughwith Ireland education, as their destination or en route to , agencies working in the field The major activity was the launch campaigning,The ICTU and linkingis encouraging up with workers trade unionists in other onpartsThe the tradeof island the union world. of Ireland movement to play is aone stronger role in this international movement - through education, campaigning, and linking up with workers in other parts of the world. in February 2002 of the Campaign Africa and

An ICTU Development Education Project

for Workers’ Rights in the Global An ICTU Development Education Project Economy. Launched by Minister An ICTU Development Education Project Tom Kitt at Liberty Hall in and Carmel Hanna, MLA in , we were privileged to be joined by Nazma Akter from the Bangladeshi Garment Workers’ Union Campaigning Federation. Nazma features in the Esperanza Productions Video,“Race for Workers’ to the Bottom”,which was shown at Rights in the Nazma Akter and David Joyce both launches and has been Global Economy T broadcast on TG4. The campaign pack provides a valuable The video explores the issues related to the source of information and ideas for action for movement of the garment industry from trade unionists interested in involving their Ireland to countries like Bangladesh, where union in international issues and promoting workers are denied fundamental rights. the core labour standards as crucial tools for Even these workers are in danger of losing poverty reduction and development. their jobs as the industry continues to search for locations with ever cheaper The Core Labour Standards are: labour costs, mainly China. 1. Freedom of Association and the right to collective bargaining Copies available from: 2. Elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour Nazma Akter and Minister Tom Kitt,TD Esperanza Productions 3. Effective abolition of child labour Tel: +353 (01) 2888648 4. Elimination of discrimination in respect of Fax: +353 (01) 2888649 employment and occupation e-mail: [email protected] The pack also offers information around web: www.esperanza.ie globalisation. C New Website & Electronic Actions search Congress also launched a website, About Us News & Events Workers Rights Development Campaigns Trade Unions Toolkit for Action Links Register Contact Us Making Globalisation www.ictuglobalsolidarity.org workThe for Irish people Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) is taking new Tradesteps Unions to foster a greater understanding within the trade union andmovement Globalisation on the island of Ireland about the causes and effects which will serve as a useful starting point Allof Workers global poverty and inequality. We want to find more effective Unions are stepping up their Haveways Rights of taking action. push for an increase in Union Rights minimum award wages after an explosion in the pay NoWe Forced believe Labour it is essential to deepen global solidarity between packets of top company for anybody seeking information and ideas trade union members in the and Northern An End to READ MORE ChildIreland Labour with trade unions in developing countries. The activities Noof Discriminationordinary trade union members are key to building a safer ACTU Pushes For More atand work more just world. Redundancy Pay - 20 for action. The development education December 2002 The rights of Long-serving employees ‘informal’ workers including casual workers Trading Away sacked without redundancy entitlements would receive up Worker’sUnion-to-Union Rights office continues to provide a list of email Solidarity A Future to 20 weeks severance pay Making Companies without under an ACTU Test Case AccountableFind out about, and filed today.... get involved in, the Child international activities Labour? READ MORE contacts with campaign action ideas and of your trade union. Workplace Relations Minister Tony Abbott announced today Show the of planned new criminal Red Card sanctions over industrial action updates on a regular basis. to EXPLOITATION could result in the jailing of Alisa Keane and Nazma Akter in the workers trying to save jobs & FOOTBALL entitlements, the ACTU said... Say No to Racism INDUSTRY READ MORE

Campaigning for Workers’ Rights in the Global Economy Global Amnesty Anti-Racist Campaign International Workplace for Education & Trade Week: Unions Migrant Workers 2002 An email campaign to urge government to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Celebrating Migrant Workers and their Families was promoted by the project. Many unions 25 Years of also signed letters in support of this campaign that also has the support of the Solidarity Human Rights Commission. and Action Amnesty International UK and Children show their Global Solidarity the trade union movement are Congress along with Teachers’ celebrating 25 years together unions, Concern, Oxfam Ireland protecting and promoting and Action Aid Ireland actively workers’ rights…. human rights. promote this campaign to ensure that all children have Jointly we have campaigned to free prisoners of conscience, to secure fair trials access to primary education by for political prisoners, to abolish torture Anti-war activities 2015. and the death penalty, and to stop In Belfast, the Project also helped to co- enforced ‘disappearances’ and extrajudicial In this years Global Week of Action, ordinate activities against the war in Iraq executions. Teachers’ unions presented postcards to both before and after the conflict started. Minister Tom Kitt,T.D.; children all over the Many of those we have campaigned for This gave Congress a lead role in ROI and Northern Ireland took place in the have been trade union members and promoting the UN against unilateral World’s Largest Lesson along with over leaders, such as Dan Byung-ho, a prisoner actions that violate the UN charter and one million children worldwide; a question of conscience and President of the Korean human rights. It is estimated that over on Education was put from Ireland to Confederation of Trade Unions, who was 26,000 people attended these events. James Wolfensohn,World Bank President, released in April 2003, after tenacious during a video conference with civil campaigning by trade unionists in society members worldwide; and Action conjunction with Amnesty International. Irish Social Aid Ireland launched two reports: Global Education Review and the Sound of For more information contact Alisa Forum or Patrick Corrigan at Amnesty Silence – a report on HIV/AIDS and Open Space dialogue meetings for Irish education strategies. International on 0 48/28 9064 3000 civil society to build an Irish Social Forum have been taking place in Dublin. The interim Convenor is Barry Finnegan: phone: 01-8741223 or email: Fair [email protected] People are being encouraged to get new Trade groups involved in these meetings to dialogue and build an Irish Social Forum The project has promoted the use of Fair (ISF) and/or to come to the ISF planning Trade products (especially tea and coffee) and information day on May 24th 2003 within the offices of ICTU and affiliated which will take place at: unions. The Cultivate Sustainable Living Centre, Many unions now participate in the annual Fair Trade Fortnight in March every Essex Street West,Temple Bar, Dublin 8 year. A presentation on Fair Trade was from 9.00a.m. to 5.30p.m.as part of the 4th also made at the Congress Women’s Convergence Sustainable Living Festival. Conference in 2003. This will help to introduce new people and Fiona Marshall (ATNGWU), Guillermo Vargas groups to the idea of creating an Irish Look for the new logo in your local Leiton and Alisa Keane promote Fair Trade shop and if not there, ask why not? products at Congress’Women’s Seminar Social Forum.

GlobalSolidarity Newsletter Issue 1 Tip the Scales Corporate for Trade Accountability Congress has agreed an agenda for action Justice with Irish NGOs on Corporate Social Responsibility. We are campaigning for trade justice - not free trade - with the rules weighted to The purpose of the network is to give an benefit poor people and the planet. impetus to work on the issue of corporate accountability through the coordination of What Can U Do? the individual actions of member Trade Unions and their members are asked organisations and the organisation of joint to lobby their MP’s and TD’s on trade actions as appropriate. From this, the Irish issues. There was a lobby of the Dail on 14 Corporate Accountability Network (ICAN) May and in Northern Ireland on 27 June. has been formed. We are asking people to contact their MP’s For more information contact and ask them what they are doing about David Joyce In Belfast, the project co-ordinated May Day fair trade! activities that highlighted issues relating to Racism, Gender discrimination, Sectarianism and looking For more information contact Alisa at “Respecting Diversity Locally and Globally” What we are asking our NI Assembly & Trade Unions political leaders: International 1 No New Powers for the World and the WTO Trade Organisation Development Ireland, UK and the EU should stop The Executive Council of Congress has pressing to widen the WTO agenda. Before the Assembly was suspended and adopted ‘An Agenda for Trade Justice’, Poor countries do not have the now the postponement of elections, an All which will form the basis of trade union negotiating capacity to protect their Party Group on International Development policy for advocacy work in the run up to interests in the four new areas was established with Carmel Hanna MLA the next WTO Ministerial meeting set for proposed. as Chair. This group produced the Report Cancun, Mexico in September 2003. of the All Party Group on International 2 End the Dumping which Destroys Development.This report was to form an Concerned at the continued negative Livelihoods action plan on International Development impacts of globalisation on the rights and Ireland, UK and the EU must agree to work within the Assembly. the livelihoods of working people across end the agricultural subsidies which the globe, trade union organisations produce surpluses that are dumped in Also formed was an Advisory Board to the globally are calling for measures to developing countries undermining All Party Group made up of Social Partners promote development and protect farming livelihoods and food security. on which Congress is a member. fundamental labour standards from the 3 Trade policy making must be actions of unscrupulous governments and Watch this space for more updates. transparent and fair employers. The government must tell Westminster, For more information contact David the NI Assembly and the Oireachtas or Alisa (parliament) where it stands on the key issues, why, and how our trade policy promotes poverty reduction and protects the environment. 4 Trade Justice not Free Trade Trade policy and practice must respect human rights, labour and environmental standards, to which both states and companies should be held accountable. Poor countries have the right to manage their economies according to their development goals - they should not be forced to open their markets. For more information: Tens of thousands march in Belfast against www.tradejusticeireland.org War in Iraq www.tradejusticemovement.org.uk Cork Trade Council supports Global Solidarity

Campaigning for Workers’ Rights in the Global Economy Ireland Aid Congress has been in movement has been active in discussions with Ireland Aid (IA) development assistance activities for the regarding a role for trade past 20 years. In 1988, LO and FTF formed the LO/FTF council to implement the trade unions in IA’s programmes. At a union’s activities. The allocation for 2002 is meeting in November, IA approx. 8 million Euro. In addition to this, indicated that they are seeking some branches receive around 4 million new ways of working together Euro. The Danish government also with various other groups, contributes to the ILO with around 8 including trade unions. They million Euro. In addition to this, some branches receive around 4 million Euro. went on to identify some issues The Danish government also contributes where co-operation might be in to the ILO with around 5.5 million Euro. our mutual interest, including: From this amount, 1.5 million Euro is allocated to ACTRAV, the Workers Bureau at Brian Moore of NIPSA and Nazma Akter Advocacy – 370m of Irish Taxpayers the ILO. money will be spent on all of this in 2003. NIPSA Developing World Fund Yet, there is very little understanding of IA’s Since its establishment in 1993 the NIPSA role or indeed existence. People may ask Unions and Developing World Fund has raised over why continue to spend in the context of £259,000. During 2002 £28,464 was cutbacks etc. Congress as a Social partner Development donated to projects in Belize, Lesotho in the last round of national negotiations Southern Africa, Rwanda and Tanzania. A resulting in Sustaining Progress ensured Cooperation number of these extend over 2 to 3 years that the references to development issues Recent action in this area by during which time NIPSA has agreed to and the defence of levels of expenditure in Irish Trade Unions includes: continue funding projects. Recently a previous agreements remained. further £12k has been provided to a Policy issues including: number of projects these being: Labour standards and their application; Congratulations to IMPACT on the • Through Oxfam NI we are providing their role in future trade negotiations? publication of their 17th Annual Report of Socio-economic support for Domestic Co-operation on role of MNCs; Debt the IMPACT Developing World Fund. The Labourers and Street Children in Kigali burden / Irish government recent policy report records the expenditure of over Rwanda including the Rwandan Institute statement has yet to be applied. 200,000 euros in the calendar year 2002. for Sustainable Development Rural Details of the various IMPACT supported Promoting links and supporting trade Development in Cyeru Village. projects are contained in the report. unions in Ireland wishing to make links These include support for PSI Affiliates in • Through links provided by the ICTU with unions in developing countries. IA is Eastern Africa. These have been weakened Global Solidarity project we are working also developing a strategy on governance by the public sector reforms, which have with the Tanzanian Plantation and issues in it’s priority countries, including been implemented in the region. This has Agricultural Workers Union (TPAWU) on support for civil society there. Trade both reduced their numerical strength and an AIDS/HIV Education project for unions in developing countries may eroded their meagre resources. PSI has Plantation Workers. usefully gain from the expertise of Irish planned a union development programme trade unions in contributing to Irish Two further projects are under for three countries. This programme Society. Given the requirement on consideration in partnership with Oxfam consists of various projects including the developing country governments to and War-on-Want. In a number of the present project objectives, that the consult with civil society in drawing up projects supported strong links are being selected unions will have established a national poverty reduction programmes in established with other trade unions in the functional membership database and a order to attract loans and overseas developing world. Central to the functional computer based accounting development assistance, there is a very objectives and associated activities of the system. important role for Irish trade unions in projects is work in the field of education, supporting our developing world MANDATE who have sent financial advocacy, skills enhancement, employment counterparts in participating in the support to BIGUF in Bangladesh. BIGUF is and improved terms and working development process. Erik Nielsen from LO the union federation in Bangladesh, whose conditions including the right to organise Denmark also addressed the meeting on President , Nazma Akter, features in the labour. the type of cooperation LO has with video “Race to the Bottom”. Their donation For more information, contact DANIDA, the Danish Governments official is enabling the Trade Union to provide a Kieran Bannon at NIPSA aid programme. The Danish Trade Union clinic for textile workers. on 028/48 90 66 1831

GlobalSolidarity Newsletter Issue 1 Confronting terror with trade union action Focus on Colombia During last year trade unionists affiliated to the CUT faced persistent and extremely serious violations of their human rights.The CUT has provided information showing that some 172 members were assassinated, 164 threatened with death, 26 kidnapped, 7 forcibly disappeared, 132 arbitrarily detained and around 80 others forced into exile.

These violations were the direct ‘Somebody has to save Colombia union leaders who denounce corruption in consequence of the trade union activity of and its people from a completely public institutions are often labelled as the victims. Of the three trade union chaotic and unjust society’ guerrilla sympathisers by corrupt public federations, the CUT continues to be Jesus Gonzalez, former Director, Human officials who wish to deflect criticism, hardest hit, with the affiliated Colombian Rights Department, CUT Colombia. leaving the union leaders vulnerable to Federation of Educators (FECODE) alone ‘Trade unionists are killed, they paramilitary attacks.The State's suffering from 79 assassinations, some 45.9 are murdered or they increasingly draconian attempts to comply per cent of the total. In 6.14 per cent (33 of ‘disappear’… with the dictates of IMF-imposed structural the total cases) the victims were female adjustment have had their severest impact union members, the majority working in Colombia is the most dangerous place in among public sector workers, whose the service sector. the world to be a trade union leader or organisations have responded with activist.The number of trade unionists increasing determination, which in turn On 20 February 2003 teacher Juan Antonio killed in Colombia over recent years is has drawn more repression from both Bohorquez Medina, a member of the trade sickening. In 2001 184 were assassinated. State institutions and paramilitary forces. union executive for the municipality of More than 170 were assassinated in 2002. Bituima, was kidnapped or ‘disappeared’. In the first two months of 2003 the figures Multinationals Three days later his body was found. He had already risen into double figures. Since Many US and other multinationals benefit had been horribly murdered. 1986, over 4,000 have been assassinated. from the natural wealth of Colombia and The standards against which we measure just because trade unionists work for a On 5 March 2003 Tereza Baez Rodríguez, employment and labour rights in multinational does not mean that they will President of the SINTRACLÍNICAS hospital Colombia are distorted by the nature of benefit from the human rights normal in workers union in Bucaramanga, was the extreme violence perpetrated against the home state of that company. arrested and charged with rebellion. trade unionists. It is basic human rights Numerous trade unionists working for During February she had received standards that are evoked by trade unions Coca Cola – which is responsible for many numerous death threats. In 2002 she was calling for investigations into the murder jobs in Colombia – have been assassinated the victim of an attempted kidnapping. On or disappearance of their colleagues, rather or been victims of violence over the years. 8 March 2003 Robinson Beltrán Herrera, than complex arguments about labour This has led unions and human rights President of the SINTRAELECOL union was laws.There are legal restrictions on the arrested and charged with rebellion and freedom to participate in collective terrorism. Five years ago he spent three bargaining or to call strikes which are years in prison on the same charges before contrary to ILO standards, but the biggest being absolved of the charges and restriction on effective trade union released. organisation is the alarming frequency ‘The most dangerous place in with which death threats issued by the the world to be a trade union paramilitaries coincide with negotiations activist’ or strike action. International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, Annual survey of violations of Public sector unions have been particularly trade union rights 2002. hard hit by the violence. Public-sector

Campaigning for Workers’ Rights in the Global Economy groups in the US to launch a vigorous legal case against the soft drink giant. However, it should surprise no one that this has led End Child Labour to reprisals in Colombia. The Civil War Many of Colombia’s problems arise from the political violence and civil war that has gripped the country for decades. A combination of a repressive state, right- wing paramilitaries supported by the State, drug-related organised crime and the activities of left-wing guerrillas have led to the development of one of the most violent countries in the world.The vast majority of the violations of human rights in Colombia directed at trade unionists come from the right-wing paramilitary groups. It is also true that the armed opposition groups, including the Fuerzas The Global March against Child Labour came through Dublin in 1998 Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC), are responsible for some Congress is delighted to be cooperating, being exploited. Since it’s start the Global kidnappings, disappearances and along with Teachers’ unions, with Concern March has brought together a movement on their child labour initiative: assassinations. of over 2000 partners in 140 countries to lead the fight against child labour. As a This is a minority of cases.Trade unionists School is the best united voice for NGOs, trade unions, have often led the calls for the place to Work teachers associations, and individual development of a meaningful peace activists, the Global March has time and This is a public awareness, education and process, but this has sometimes led to again reminded the world that all children advocacy campaign that seeks to serious consequences. must be protected from exploitation and contribute to the eradication of child abuse.The all too common practice of Government labour by ensuring provision of using young children as child servants, elementary education for all children soldiers, prostitutes, plantation workers, According to Amnesty International the working as labourers, by 2015. The Colombian Government has failed to take drug traffickers, or ragpickers has been a campaign will engage with a wide variety disgrace for the whole of humanity.With decisive action to dismantle the army- of civil society groups, educators, students backed paramilitary groups responsible for the Global March, child labourers and policy makers.The campaign will themselves have passionately pleaded the the majority of human rights violations encourage broad based support for against trade unionists and to ensure that case that children should be in good national policies in three European Union schools and not be put to work. those responsible for human rights member states, as well as seeking violations against trade unionists are improvements in EU Official Development "Children are the future of the brought to justice.The failure to Aid, particularly as it relates to education country, but they are working. adequately resource the protection and progress toward related international I want to ask the governments, program, to take all measures necessary to development targets. Through theatre, guarantee the security of trade unionists, video production, exchange visits with what their future is?" to ensure that full and impartial southern partners, education resource said Pintu, a former child stone crusher. investigations into human rights violations packs, information leaflets and multi media The gap between awareness and action against trade unionists and that those communication, along with meetings with responsible are brought to justice has led has never been wider.The ILO estimates parliamentarians at member state and EU that even today 246 million children are to a cycle of increased attacks against levels, the campaign will be an active and trade unionists and a climate of impunity. working as child labourers, with almost energetic movement for change. The three-quarters of them caught in the worst project will be launched on May 16th. What you can do: forms. Kailash Satyarthi, Chairperson of the Our involvement in this initiative is timely Global March, appealed to all people to 1. Sign up to receive a regular bulletin on as a call for Urgent Action on child labour make this crisis their call to action. "Will we Colombia from Global Solidarity. was made by the Global March against sit comfortably in our homes and offices as 2. Join thousands of trade unionists and child labour on their Fifth Anniversary, 17 we watch the life and spirit of countless sign the online protest at Labourstart January 2003. Over the last five years the children disappear before our very eyes? If www.labourstart.org problem of child labour and the need for we fail to act now we are no less 3. Contact ICTU Global Solidarity for universal quality education have become responsible than the worst exploiter." information on our Columbian among the top issues on the international Congress is proud to retain our association Campaign. agenda. Decades of denial have finally with the Global March Against Child labour. T Thanks to ICTUR Colombia Newsletter, given way to the realisation that no society More Info @ http://globalmarch.org Issue one, March/April 2003 can hope to prosper when its children are www.schoolisthebestplacetowork.org

GlobalSolidarity Newsletter Issue 1 The Tobin Tax “…challenge facing many poor New Report Documents Initiative-Ireland countries is their continuing level of Working Conditions unsustainable debt. The World Banks Part of a global citizens’ campaign to in Southern Africa encourage governments to tax the leadership in implementing the speculative financial transactions engaged Heavily Indebted Poor Countries A just-released (December 2002) report in by banks and investment houses. Initiative (HIPC) has provided much entitled "Made in Southern Africa" Named after the Nobel prize-winning needed relief from a crushing documents the findings of a two-year economist James Tobin, the tax could raise burden. However, it has not been research project that investigated garment up to 200 billion Euros per annum to be enough. Too many countries industry conditions in Swaziland, used in poverty eradication and Botswana, Mauritius, Madagascar, and environmental protection in the emerging from HIPC continue to Lesotho. The picture is not pretty. Developing World. The campaign has a have debt levels that are Researchers, from the Centre for Research website www.tobintaxireland.ie from unsustainable. … Last year Ireland where you can send an email to your on Multinational Corporations (SOMO) in TD/MLA/MP urging them to support the adopted an updated strategy on the Netherlands and the Trade Union idea. Why not add your voice? debt. We believe that the Research Project (TURP) in South Africa, international community’s overall found a variety of serious workplace support for NEPAD, and for countries problems, ranging from union repression Debt Cancellation committed to good governance and and low wages to forced overtime and Campaign sound economic management, health and safety concerns. This lengthy means that total debt cancellation is report (97 pages) includes a profile of the Happy 1st Birthday on July 19th to the industry in each of the countries studied, R.O.I. government's 2002 100% debt a politically acceptable objective and as well as individual factory profiles and a cancellation statement. The debt and one that we would support. development coalition Ireland have discussion of the impact of the African published postcards urging government to We are aware of the Banks views and Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the expansion of the US General System of mark this anniversary with a new the arguments used to defend the commitment to the policy. Preferences that went into effect in 2000, current HIPC approach. Nonetheless, on the garment industry. “We call on you to reject the IMF and we continue to see great merit in a World Bank's pleas of poverty and press much more ambitious approach to Prior to this study, carried out between them to cancel debt of the poorest 2000 and 2002, there had been little countries. In order that the public can dealing with the HIPC debt burden. follow the debate, we also urge you to This is an issue we will continue to documentation of working conditions in publish all statements made on debt by discuss with our friends and this sector in the region. The vast amount of information gathered together in this Ireland at these institutions. colleagues at the Bank and at the IMF. report will be useful to those seeking to Ireland will hold the EU presidency in 2004. We must work together to ensure get a better grasp of the reality faced by Make 100% debt cancellation one of your that the debt burden cannot frustrate priorities for the presidency. garment workers in Southern Africa. The our common goal of poverty researchers involved in this project stress Cards available from Angela at: reduction through strong and that their aim was to carry out campaign- +353 (01) 857 1828 sustained pro-poor growth.” oriented research, i.e. connect their and more info rmation at: findings to good use by having a link to www.debtireland.org The Taoiseach at the World bank, March 2003. worker organizing or education efforts, and direct action initiatives to pressure companies for improvements in the industry and the empowerment of garment workers.The chapter on Lesotho (a country which Ireland has a bilateral aid relationship with) demonstrates the potential of a commitment to such follow up to research, documenting the events that took place to date following the dissemination of the research findings there, including a government level investigation into industry conditions.

To get a copy of this informative report, please visit: www.cleanclothes.org

TV’s ‘Hole in the Wall Gang’ joined demonstrators outside Belfast City Hall to demand debt relief for the poorest countries. Caught in a cycle of loans to pay off debts, poor governments have little power against the international financial institutions. An ICTU Development Education Project

Campaigning for Workers’ Rights in the Global Economy An ICTU Development Education Project Irish Congress of Trade Unions

Life Long Learning, Solidarity Education & Training Committees The Solidarity Committees (NI and ROI) In order for unions to take informed action continue to be the vital link between on international issues it is essential that Congress and affiliates on solidarity issues. they are provided with educational These Committees work closely with the opportunities to increase their level of Global Solidarity Protect to ensure that it knowledge, skills necessary to do so. reaches affiliated unions of Congress and The Global Solidarity project is trying to meet regularly during the year. They move away from delivering one off continue to act as a link between the training sessions at trade union courses project, their individual unions, and the towards a situation whereby development membership. N education is embedded as core components of union training and Trade unionists take part in the May Global These Committees encourage affiliates to delivered by a trained team of union Solidarity Seminar engage with the project and looks to tutors. embed solidarity linking within trade union structure. The Workers’ rights pack and the video Race to the Bottom are very useful Some affiliates (NIPSA, IMPACT, PSEU and additions to the range of materials now ESBOA) have formed their own structures available for development education. to engage with international solidarity We also have tutor notes to accompany issues. these. If you would like more information, please contact Alisa or David If you are interested in being part of this initiative, please contact Alisa ‘We were cheap labour once’ says a Derry woman or David in the film ‘Race to the Bottom’

Republic of Ireland Northern Ireland Congress would like to acknowledge the David Joyce Alisa Keane continued financial support of Trocaire, Development Education Officer Development Education Officer the EC, Ireland Aid and affiliated unions for Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) Northern Ireland Committee our global solidarity work. 32 Parnell Square Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) Dublin 1 3 Crescent Gardens, Belfast BT7 1NS t. +353 (01) 889 7746 t. +44 (028) 9024 7940 f. +353 (01) 887 2012 f. +44 (028) 9024 6898 e. [email protected] e. [email protected] w. www.ictuglobalsolidarity.org w. www.ictuglobalsolidarity.org w. www.ictu.ie w. www.ictuni.org

GlobalSolidarity Newsletter Issue 1