INTERNATIONAL LABOUR:

RALLIES IN SUPPORT OF MEXICAN WORKERS' RIGHT TO ORGANIZE:

Over the past few years the situation of workers in Mexico has become increasingly dire as both employers and the government employ increasingly violent tactics. This week supporters of Mexican workers will be organizing solidarity rallies across Canada and the world. Here's the story from the Maquila Solidarity Network.

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Rallies planned throughout world in support of trade union rights in Mexico (14-19 February 2011)
February 10, 2011


In recent years the few genuinely independent trade unions seeking to improve the lives of Mexican workers have found themselves increasingly under fire.

The Mexican Miners' Union (Los Mineros), the Mexican Electrical Workers' Union (SME), the union representing workers in Mexico's state-owned petroleum company PEMEX, the National Union of General Tyre Workers of Mexico (SNTGTM) and the Mexican Telephone Workers' Union (STRM) have all faced violent attacks, intimidation and repression of trade union rights.

One of the biggest obstacles to freedom of association for workers in Mexico is the prevalence of "protection contracts," collective agreements negotiated between employers and "official" unions or corrupt lawyers, which serve to "protect" the employer from the emergence of truly representative and democratic trade unions and genuine negotiations to improve wages and working conditions. Protection contracts are negotiated without the knowledge and/or consent of workers and are often in place in a factory even prior to the hiring of workers. Mexican labour rights experts estimate that the vast majority of collective bargaining agreements in the country are in fact protection contracts.

From February 14-18 trade unions in Canada and around the world are joining in the International Days of Action in support the independent trade union movement in Mexico and the right of Mexican workers to be represented by the union of their free choice.

During the week rallies are being held in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver at the Mexican embassy and consulates in those cities to show solidarity with Mexican workers. Meetings are also planned between Canadian union leaders and Mexican embassy and consular officials to discuss these pressing issues.

Planned Canadian rallies:

•Toronto rally: February 14, 13:00-14:00 @ Mexican Consulate (199 Bay Street)
•Montreal rally: February 15, 11:30-13:30 @ Mexican Consulate (2055 Peel Street)
•Ottawa rally: February 15, 15:00-16:00 @ Mexican Embassy (45 O'Conner Street)
•Vancouver rally: February 17, 10:30-12:00 @ Mexican Consulate (Harbour Green Park West Cordova & Bute)
Trade unions from around the world are calling on the Mexican government to:

1.Hold employer and government officials accountable for the Pasta de Conchos mine explosion that killed 65 miners on February 19, 2006.
2.Abolish systemic violations of workers' freedom of association, including employer-dominated "protection contracts" and interference in union elections.
3.End the use of force-by the state or private parties-to repress workers' legitimate demands for democratic unions, better wages and working conditions, and good health and safety conditions.
4.End the campaign of political persecution against the Mexican Miner's Union and the Mexican Electrical Workers' Union.
More Information:

•Read more on planned international actions.
•Information on rallies planned in the U.S.
•Read more on freedom of association and labour rights in México.
•Find out more on the Global Days of Action from the International Metalworkers Federation.
•Read more on the Global Days of Action from the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions.
•Join the cause on Facebook

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR MEXICO:

'WALMEX' DEFICIENT IN LABOUR AND SOCIAL EFFECTS PRACTICES:

Somehow I don't find the following story from the Maquila Solidarity Network surprising at all. Walmart is hardly likely to be nominated for either the Nobel Peace Prize nor for sainthood anywhere in the world. It's expected that its Mexican operations would be no better. The only surprise is that Walmart cooperated with the survey at all, let along incompletely. Here's the story....

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MSN report finds holes in Wal-mart de Mexico's CSR reporting and underlying policies
December 7, 2010

A new report by the Maquila Solidarity Network (MSN) and Red Puentes Mexico concludes that although Wal-Mart Mexico (Walmex) has made significant efforts in recent years to improve its corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting, the company has considerable room left for improvement both on its CSR reporting and on the underlying social and environmental practices.

Authored by MSN, the report reviews Walmex's 2009 Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development Report, to evaluate and rate the company's CSR reporting, and offer recommendations on how it can improve both its reporting and practices.

"As Mexico's largest private sector employer and the second largest retailer in Latin America, Walmex has an enormous impact on our country and region," says Jorge Molina, of Red Puentes Mexico, which coordinated the assessment.* "Walmex has a responsibility to improve its environmental and social policies and to keep the Mexican public better informed of the actions it is taking to meet or exceed national and international standards," he adds.

Overall, MSN found significant gaps in Walmex's reporting particularly on its labour and environmental practices. Based on its findings, MSN recommends that the company commit to more thorough reporting on important topics such as the presence of unions and collective bargaining agreements at its stores, as well as the negative economic and social impacts of its business practices on the communities in which it operates, two areas on which the company was silent.

"Walmex needs to better address underlying policy issues such as the presence of protection contracts in most of its retail outlets, its treatment of over 23,000 "volunteer" youth baggers and the lack of consultation with civil society stakeholders on social and environmental issues," says Beatriz Lujan, of the Authentic Labour Front, a member organization of Red Puentes Mexico.

According to Lynda Yanz of MSN, the report has been shared with Walmex, and the company has provided additional information that improved the final version. "We look forward to working with Walmex in an effort to improve the company's CSR reporting and its social and environmental policies and practices based on the report's recommendations," says Yanz.

*MSN's report was conducted as part of an assessment of five Mexico corporations (Walmex, Petróleos Mexicanos, Telefónica, S.A., CEMEX, and Industrias Peñoles) coordinated by Red Puentes Mexico. Each company's CSR reporting was assessed by a different team of researchers, using a common methodology based on the Global Reporting Initiative Guidelines.

•Download a summary of MSN's new report (pdf)
•Download the full report (pdf)

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR MEXICO:
SUPPORT JOHNSON CONTROLS WORKERS AGAINST ASSAULTS:

Mexico's Mineworkers' union is outstanding in that country for being both militant and free from corruption. They have undertaken to organize the unorganized in a number of different industries including auto parts. After a recent sucessful strike members were attacked by thugs from the company union. The Maquila Solidarity Network is asking people to protest this attack. Here's the story and appeal >>>
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Urgent Alert:
Mexican Auto parts workers assaulted at Johnson Controls factory

On Monday, thugs entered a plant owned by Johnson Controls in Puebla, Mexico, and assaulted them, according to reports, "with sticks and stones, leaving many injured." Two of the members of the Executive Committee of the newly formed union at the plant, Cándido Barreucos and Vigilio Melendez, were beaten in a company office and forced to sign letters of resignation, reportedly at gunpoint. They are currently in a hospital with severe injuries.


The union, affiliated to the Mexico's national Mineworkers union, was recognized by Milwaukee-based Johnson Controls on May 29, 2010 after a three day strike by the workers at the company's Interiors plant, also known as Resurrection. The Mineworkers believe that the assailants are members of the COS, the company union that was ejected after the strike. Under the agreement ending the strike, Johnson Controls agreed to recognize the Mineworkers as the workers’ union representative and promised to take no reprisals against the strikers.

MSN has phoned and written to Johnson Controls, but the company has not responded. That’s why we’re asking you to join in urging the company to act now.


Our allies the US Labor Education in the Americas Project (USLEAP) have set up automatic email pages you can use to take two urgent actions: contact Johnson Controls and contact the Mexican government.

Read more, including more information on attacks against our local allies the Centro de Apoyo al Trabajador (CAT).
--
Maquila Solidarity Network
606 Shaw St.
Toronto, ON M6G 3L6
Canada
416 532-8584
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THE LETTERS:
The Maquila Solidarity Network actually has two letters that they'd like you to sign. First of all go to this link to send the following letter to Johnson Controls.

Mr. Stephen A. Roell
President and CEO
Johnson Controls
5757 N. Green Bay Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53209

Dear Mr. Roell:

I was appalled to learn today that thugs were permitted to enter one of your plants in Mexico on the morning of August 16, 2010 and beat up workers who belong to a union your company recently recognized.

I am told that two members of the Executive Committee of the newly-recognized union at the Interiors/Resurrection plant, Cándido Barreucos and Vigilio Melendez, were forced at gunpoint to resign and were beaten so badly that they had to be admitted to a hospital. The thugs were permitted to remain in the plant all day even though Johnson Controls promised it would not take any reprisals when it signed an agreement on May 29, 2010 settling a three-day strike and agreeing to recognize the union.

Workers have apparently been trying to organize independent unions at your plants in Puebla, Mexico for sometime. I understand that your company has also refused to recognize the basic rights of workers at another Johnson Controls plant, FINSA.

Both plants have reportedly had protection unions that are used to keep out independent unions.

I am ashamed that a US company operating in Mexico is accused of such behavior. If Johnson Controls is going to operate plants in Mexico or anywhere else, it should respect the rights of its workers.

I urge Johnson Controls to respect the basic rights of its workers in Mexico, remove the protection union at its Interiors/Resurrection plant, reinstate Cándido Barreucos and Vigilio Melendez whose resignations were coerced, guarantee the security of all of its employees at all plants in Puebla, and honor the agreement you signed on May 29, 2010.

Sincerely,

And then go to this link to send the following letter in Spanish to the Mexican government.

Honorables señores:

El dia de hoy recibí información de que se reanudó la violencia e intimidación hacia trabajadores mexicanos, que buscan ejercer sus derechos laborales básicos, en las fábricas de autopartes que pertenecen a la compañía estadounidense Johnson Controls.

El 16 de agosto del 2010, según informes recibidos, unos golpeadores entraron a una planta que pertenece a Johnson Controls en Puebla y atacaron a los trabajadores con “palos y piedras, dejando muchos heridos.” Dos de los miembros del Comité Ejecutivo del nuevo sindicato en la planta, Cándido Barreucos y Vigilio Melendez, fueron golpeados en la oficina administrativa y obligados a firmar cartas de renuncia, presuntamente a punta de pistola. Actualmente estas personas están en el hospital con lesiones muy graves. El sindicato de mineros, que representa a los trabajadores, cree que los agresores fueron miembros de la COS (Confederacion de Organizaciones Sindicales).

Además, hace unos días, la organización local que apoya a los trabajadores que se están organizando en las plantas de Johnson Controls en Puebla, envió una alerta por las amenazas que recibieron sus miembros. El Centro de Apoyo al Trabajador (CAT) reportó que el 9 de agosto, Enrique Morales, Coral Juárez y María Luisa Rosina, fueron amenazados por cuatro hombres que los cercaron en una zona aislada, mientras visitaban a trabajadores de Johnson Controls para informarles sobre sus derechos humanos y laborales. Una de estas personas les hizo la amenaza muy específica sobre la directora del CAT, Blanca Velásquez, diciendo que ella no debía seguirse metiendo con la CROM, el sindicato patronal en otra planta de JCI en Puebla, llamada FINSA, en donde los trabajadores también han intentado organizar un sindicato independiente.

Les escribimos con seria preocupación por las nuevas amenazas hacia los defensores de derechos laborales y humanos en Puebla.

Les pido con mucho respeto, y con mucha urgencia, que las autoridades competentes tomen las medidas inmediatas y apropiadas para asegurar el bienestar de los trabajadores que legítimamente están organizando sindicatos independientes en las plantas de Johnson Controls en Puebla, y de los miembros del CAT y sus familias, quienes están apoyando a estos mismos trabajadores. Sinceramente espero que el gobierno mexicano pueda llevar a la justicia a los responsables de la violencia hacia los trabajadores en la planta mencionada, y por la intimidación hacia los miembros del CAT. De manera respetuosa, también les insto a que el Gobierno Mexicano reconozca al Sindicato de Mineros como el representante auténtico de los trabajadores de la planta de Johnson Controls Interiores, y que el gobierno asegure que la empresa Johnson Controls, a quien estaré escribiéndole por separado, respete los derechos de todos sus trabajadores en México.

En nuestra economía integrada de América del Norte, es de suma importancia que los derechos de los trabajadores en ambos lados de la frontera sean respetados.

Gracias por tomar en cuenta mi punto de vista.

Sinceramente,

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR-MEXICO:

INDEPENDENT UNION IN PUEBLA:

The struggle for independent real unions in Mexico has been a long and difficult one, pitting workers against not just "yellow dog" unions but also, bosses and the corrupt political class of the state. Here's a story about a recent victory in this struggle from the Maquila Solidarity Network.

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Johnson Controls Interiors workers win independent union
June 3, 2010


A three-day strike by workers at a Johnson Controls auto parts plant in Puebla, Mexico, backed by an international solidarity campaign, has won the workers the right to be represented by a union of their free choice.

The Johnson Controls Interiors plant employs about 450 workers and produces seats and seat parts for major auto companies, including Ford and Mercedes-Benz.

On May 29, representatives of the striking workers and the company signed an agreement that recognizes the workers' decision to be represented by the National Union of Mine and Metal Workers (SNTMMSSRM or Los Mineros).

A company-controlled "protection union" linked to the Puebla State PRI government has held title to the collective agreement at the factory, but the workers have never received a copy of that agreement nor been consulted about whether they want to be represented by that union.

Precedent-setting agreement
The agreement sets an important precedent in Mexico where employers often sign "protection contracts" with corrupt unions without the workers' knowledge and/or consent in order to prevent those workers from organizing or affiliating with a democratic union.

In addition to recognizing Los Mineros as the workers' union, the agreement also includes the following provisions:

•No reprisals against the workers for participating in the movement;
•No legal action against those who participated in the strike;
•Payment of full wages for time lost do to the strike;
•An annual profit-sharing payment of US$100 per worker (20 times the $5 originally offered by the company); and
•Direct employment and union membership for all workers currently employed through a third-party employment agency.
In Mexico, the workers have received support from the Puebla-based Worker Support Centre (CAT), the Mexico office of the AFL-CIO Solidarity Center, and the Project for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ProDESC). Organizations mobilizing international solidarity included USW, CAW, UAW, USLEAP, the International Metalworkers Federation (IMF), and MSN.

Dispute at FINSA plant continues
Meanwhile, the lengthy dispute continues at the company's FINSA plant, also in Puebla, where workers are attempting to rid themselves of another "protection union."

The workers at that factory have formed a Temporary Coalition of Workers in order to negotiate with the company. To date, Johnson Controls has refused to recognize or negotiate with the Coalition, and has fired many of its leaders.

On April 28, two members of the CAT team supporting the workers, Enrique Morales Montaño and Coral Juarez Melo, were visiting Johnson Controls employee in the community of Santo Toribio, Tlaxcala when Enrique was physically assaulted by the 17 year old son of Magdaleno Texis, a local leader of the CROM, the corrupt union that signed a "protection contract" with management at the FINSA factory.

Building international solidarity
FINSA workers are currently touring the United States, seeking solidarity with their struggle to be represented by an independent union.

MSN is joining with counterpart organizations in Mexico and internationally in calling on the company to meet with the Coalition of Johnson Controls Workers, reinstate workers who have been unjustly fired for supporting an independent union, and respect the workers' right to be represented by a union of their free choice.

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR-PHILIPPINES:

SOLIDARITY WITH PHILIPPINE WORKERS:

The following appeal for solidarity in two different labour disputes in the Philippines comes from the Maquila Solidarity Network.

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Take action on Philippines labour rights abuses‏
Last fall, a high-level International Labour Organization (ILO) mission went to the Philippines to investigate “serious allegations of the murder of trade unionists, death threats, arrests of trade union leaders in connection with their trade union activities, widespread impunity relating to violence against trade unionists and the militarization of workplaces in export processing zones (EPZs) and special economic zones”. Their report is due to be released next month.

Unfortunately, violence and judicial persecution of trade union leaders and activists is continuing. Below, we urge you to support workers’ rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining by taking part in two action campaigns by labour and human rights promoters that highlight the continuing pattern of abuse of worker rights in the Philippines.

Karnation Industries:

Twenty workers at Karnation Industries were arrested during a 2007 strike against the illegal dismissal of union members, the non-payment of holiday pay and night bonuses, as well as a salary that was only half of the minimum wage at the time. They have spent two and a half years in prison, during which time two workers died from tuberculosis contracted since their incarceration. 14 workers were temporarily released on bail in November of 2009. Four of the workers remain in prison. All of the surviving workers are still facing charges, and the company has filed a motion to reverse the bail decision and return all of the workers to prison. Join the Asia Human Rights Committee in protesting the continuing judicial persecution of the Karnation 20 here.

Dole Food Company:

Managers at a Dole pineapple plantation in the Philippines have worked with the military on an intimidation campaign against an independent workers’ union and their democratically elected union leaders for the past four years. Workers who met recently with an International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) representative have been fired or suspended. Join the ILRF in protecting the rights of Dole workers to freedom of association and collective bargaining here.

Thank you for joining with the Maquila Solidarity Network in supporting the continuing efforts of labour and human rights workers on the ground.

--Maquila Solidarity Network

606 Shaw St.

Toronto, ON

M6G 3L6

Canada

416 532-8584

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR:

THE OLYMPICS AND SWEATSHOPS:

A broad coalition of labour and human rights groups, including Play Fair, the Maquila Solidarity Network and the Clean Clothes Campaign have been organizing around each Olympics in past years to try and raise public awareness about the atrocious conditions for many workers involved in producing Olympic clothing and other items. The upcoming Vancouver/Whistler Winter Olympics are no exception. Here's an item from the Maquila Solidarity Network about a series of videos detailing the issue, and a campaign to pressure manufacturers to "play fair".

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New Play Fair at the Olympics video launched:‏
Here's how you can help push sportswear brands to clear the hurdles on worker rights: watch our new video and take action at http://secure.civicrm.ca/maquilasolidarity.org/sites/maquilasolidarity.civicrm.ca/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=359&qid=25805

As the February Vancouver Winter Olympic Games draw nearer, we've just released a second short video highlighting the failure of major sportswear brands -- including Olympic sponsors -- to eliminate sweatshop abuses in their global supply chains.

The campaign's second video links to a new website rating commitments by Nike, Adidas, Puma, New Balance and others on clearing the main hurdles that obstruct progress on worker rights in their supply factories: an anti-union environment, poverty wages, precarious work, and factory closures.
» See http://secure.civicrm.ca/maquilasolidarity.org/sites/maquilasolidarity.civicrm.ca/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=359&qid=25805.
» en español: http://secure.civicrm.ca/maquilasolidarity.org/sites/maquilasolidarity.civicrm.ca/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=360&qid=25805
» en Français: http://secure.civicrm.ca/maquilasolidarity.org/sites/maquilasolidarity.civicrm.ca/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=361&qid=25805
You can help the campaign by:
» sending an email to the brands
» hosting the video ads on your own website or facebook page.
» sending a short message about the campaign to your friends and networks
»Take Action Now

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Here's what the Clean Clothes Campaign has to say about this campaign.

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Unfortunately, Olympic skiers aren’t the only ones in a race to the bottom…‏:
Dear all,

In the run-up to the February Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, several groups involved in the Play Fair Alliance last week released its rating of commitments made by major sportswear brands to eliminate sweatshop abuses in their global supply chains. The ratings are based on the responses of the sportswear companies, including Nike, Adidas, Puma and others, to a series of demands put forward by the coalition on the eve of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Please take a moment now and join us in sending a message to key sportswear brands telling them “It’s time to up your game and start clearing the hurdles for workers’ rights”.Go to: http://www.clearingthehurdles.org/content/take-action

The demands were conceived to overcome four major hurdles to ending labour rights violations in sportswear supply chains: anti-union environment, poverty wages, precarious work, and factory closures.The ratings are being released on the newly launched Clearing the Hurdles website. The new website will allow users to see how each brand has responded to 12 key demands that brands should commit to in order to overcome the four hurdles. Users will also be able to compare the various brands at a glance based on their commitments to overcome these hurdles: http://www.clearingthehurdles.org/response-chart

The coalition, which includes Canada’s Maquila Solidarity Network, the International Trade Union Confederation, the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers Federation and the Clean Clothes Campaign is also posting a series of web ads accusing the brands that profit off the Olympics of engaging in a “race to the bottom” on wages and working conditions.

The ad campaign is running on dozens of websites in British Columbia, Canada and globally. The first ad, which features a montage of skiers and sweatshop workers, says: “Unfortunately, the Winter Olympics aren’t the only place we’re seeing a race to the bottom. Sportswear companies are also in a race to the bottom … on wages and working conditions.” New ads with a variety of similar messages will be launched every ten days in the run-up to the Olympics.

You can also help the campaign by distributing this appeal and by hosting the video ads on your own website or facebook page! Go to:http://www.clearingthehurdles.org/content/upload-or-embed-our-race-to-the-bottom-video

As a result of Play Fair 2008 Indonesian unions recently had a direct dialogue with sportswear brands and suppliers, we will send you an update on the outcomes shortly.

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THE LETTER

Please go to one of the links above or to this link to send the following message to Asica, Lotto, Mizuna, New balance, Nike, Adidas, Pentland and Puma.

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Hello;
I’ve reviewed the way your company responded to Play Fair 2008’s proposals on ways to clear the four major hurdles impeding progress on worker rights in your factories.

From what I’ve read at www.clearingthehurdles.org, very few of the targets set by Play Fair will be met unless you take action now to:

• develop a positive climate for freedom of association and collective bargaining;

• Eliminate the use of precarious employment in sportswear supply chains;

• Lessen both the frequency and negative impacts of factory closures; and

• Take steps to improve worker incomes, with the goal of reaching a living wage for all workers.

I believe the proposals and targets put forward by Play Fair are reasonable and necessary. Despite more than 15 years of codes of conduct adopted by major sportswear brands like your own, workers making sportswear products still face extreme pressure to meet production quotas, excessive, undocumented and unpaid overtime, verbal abuse, threats to health and safety related to the high quotas and exposure to toxic chemicals, and a failure to provide legally required health and other insurance programs. Many are facing precarious working arrangements, overwhelming obstacles to their right to unionize, and poverty wages.

It’s about time we set some deadlines for progress to be made on these critical issues. It’s time to undertake a set of actions with specific targets to ensure that when the next Olympic Games come around in 2012, workers can expect tangible improvements in their wages and working conditions rather than two more years of talk about vague commitments. It’s time to up your game and start clearing the hurdles for workers’ rights.

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR-ASIA:

THE ASIA FLOOR WAGE CAMPAIGN:
The following article came to Molly's notice via the Maquila Solidarity Network.
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Worker rights groups launch Asia Floor Wage Campaign:

On October 7, workers' rights groups in over a dozen countries throughout Asia, Europe and the Americas are participating in the public launch of the Asia Floor Wage Campaign (AFWC). The campaign is demanding a common minimum living wage for garment workers across the Asian region, in order to stop the destructive race to the bottom on wages and labour standards - which is fueled in part by companies moving production between countries in the region in search of ever-cheaper labour costs.





To this end the AFWC has calculated a minimum living wage (Asia Floor Wage) for the region as a whole, which has been standardized so that it can be easily converted to national currencies in key Asian garment-producing countries (including India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, China and Hong Kong).
What is the Asia Floor Wage
According to the AFWC, the Asia Floor Wage (AFW) is based on "the income required for a single earner to support a family of four (2 adults and 2 children) by working a legal maximum working week (but no longer than 48 hours), excluding any payment for overtime or other bonuses/allowances." It should provide enough income to pay for food and other essential living costs such as healthcare, housing, clothing, childcare, transportation, fuel, education, etc.





The AFW is expressed as a single figure that can be converted to local currencies using the World Bank's 'purchasing power parity' (PPP) formula so that the floor wage would allow workers to purchase the same amount of goods and services in each garment-producing country in Asia. The Asia Floor Wage for 2009 has been set at 475 PPP$.
The need for a Living Wage
The garment industry's history of low wages, excessive overtime and poor working conditions is well known. Though small improvements have been made in some areas, on the issue of wages the apparel industry has continually failed to act -- arguing at times that it is enough to abide by local minimum wage laws and other times using the excuse that there is no commonly-accepted living wage figure for them to meet.





The fact is that legal national minimum wages set for workers in the apparel industry fail to provide enough income for workers to maintain their families above national poverty levels. Poverty wages push many workers into debt, lead to malnutrition, cause health problems, and make workers and their families extremely vulnerable should they face sudden unemployment, health problems or disabilities.





The Asia Floor Wage Campaign challenges the second industry excuse, by calculating a measurable floor wage throughout Asia - one that has buy-in from workers' organizations across the region and which can easily be met without significantly reducing industry profits.
About the Asia Floor Wage Campaign
At an international level, the Campaign will pressure apparel brands and major suppliers to commit to meeting the AFW within their Asian supply factories. Trade unions at the local level will also push for the AFW from the bottom up through collective bargaining with factory management and popular campaigns.





The AFWC was formed by union leaders and labour activists in Asia's major garment producing countries that came together to explore a union-based Asian strategy for the global garment industry. During initial discussions wages emerged as the central issue and the concept of an Asia Floor Wage was developed and refined between 2005 and 2007.





What began as an Asia-based process has now expanded to become an international alliance which includes support from labour rights groups around the world including the Clean Clothes Campaign, the Maquila Solidarity Network (MSN), the International Labor Rights Forum, and many others.





MSN sees the campaign as an innovative regional initiative for increasing wages in a global industry. We are exploring the potential for regional approaches to improving wages with our allies in the Americas, and will be making key materials about the AFWC available in Spanish to share with our allies in Latin America.





MSN will also be pushing apparel and footwear brands with which we are in contact to take action on the AFWC demands within their supply chains.
Learn more about the Campaign
Read the "Stitching a Decent Wage Across Borders" report
Find out how your organization can endorse the AFW

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR-HONDURAS:

RUSSELL ATHLETIC PLACED ON 'PROBATION':

Well,well, well, it seems like it's gonna end up as 'Honduras Week' here at Molly's Blog. I plan to publish more info later about the coup d'etat whose purpose is to keep "Honduras just as happy as she has been in the past". Just as a little reminder of just how glorious a job the Honduran ruling class has made of its country I submit the following personal memory. I've only met one Honduran in my life. That individual was grateful beyond measure that the wife and I escorted her back to her room at the (admittedly sleazy-sleazy enough to earn that sobriquet from a Russian) hotel that we were both staying at in Prague. Yeah, there was indeed a detox centre on the top two floors, but "threatening"- hardly. The reason for her paranoia ? Honduras has the highest murder rate in the world, at 154.02 per 100,00 population (in Winnipeg terms this would mean 1001 murders per year, a number that we here in what is often the murder capital of Canada would be astonished at). Christ Almighty !!!! If there was no other reason to change the social setup in the uunfortunate country of Honduras this would be an overwhelming one. The ousted President of Honduras was making some very minor moves to correct this and many other problems. How happy Honduras has been in the past !!!!! Not so bad if you can hire ten goons with automatic rifles for bodyguards I guess.

This social disintegration is built upon a foundation of vicious exploitation. The following is from the Maquila Solidarity Network, and its subject is a matter that Molly has touched upon before on this blog, the workers of Jerzees de Honduras. The exploitation of the Honduran working class is the social and economic basis upon which the horrible danger of everyday life in that country is built. This is so gross that even a corporate creation such as the 'Fair Labor Association' has seen fit to censure one of its members- see below. Quite frankly this takes a lot.

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Russell Athletic placed under Special Review over labour rights concerns:
On June 25th 2009, the Fair Labor Association (FLA) put its member company Russell Athletic on Special Review for 90 days. The FLA's Special Review process requires the company to perform specific actions to address violations of workers' freedom of association related to the closure of the Jerzees de Honduras (JDH) factory. This is only the second time in the FLA's history that a member company has been placed on Special Review. If Russell fails to complete the required steps in 90 days their FLA membership may be revoked.

Russell Athletic has been under fire for months for failing to remedy damage done to the JDH workers, the workers CGT union, and their right to freedom of association when they closed the JDH factory earlier this year. While Russell Athletic insists that their only motivation for the closure was economic, two independent investigations have concluded that anti-union bias was in fact a significant factor in the decision to close the JDH factory.

In February, the FLA Board asked Russell to undertake an initial series of steps, only some of which have been addressed by the company. Recently, new violations of freedom of association - including the establishment of "collective pacts" (akin to company unions) in the company's remaining Honduran facilities - have been detailed in a new report issued by the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC).

The FLA cited Russell Athletic's "failure to engage in good faith negotiations with the CGT union on issues like compensation for terminated employees, a meaningful first-hire policy and reasonable access for unions to company factories." The FLA further noted that "the existence of 'collective pacts,' no matter their motivation, has the effect of undermining efforts by independent unions to organize workers. These circumstances have led to a high level of distrust among workers and other stakeholders of Russell's commitment to freedom of association."

In order to have the Special Review lifted, Russell Athletic must, amongst other things, engage in good faith negotiations with the CGT union regarding further compensation and benefits for all JDH workers, an effective first-hire policy, and reasonable access of union organizers to employees. The company must also negotiate measures with CGT to ensure the removal of any obstacles to freedom of association, including those posed by collective pacts (pactos colectivos), without depriving workers of existing benefits.

Russell is also being asked to engage with relevant stakeholders including FLA member universities, the WRC, the Clean Clothes Campaign and MSN.
Read the FLA Board's full Resolution and related documents
Read the WRC's latest reports on Russell Athletic and freedom of association in Honduras
Background on the JDH struggle
How you can help

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR:

THE WOMEN BEHIND THE LABELS:

Tomorrow, March 8, will be International Women's Day. This event which grew out of the socialist movement in the early 20th century is now celebrated in over 60 countries worldwide. the website for the international day is HERE. To learn more about the history and extent of this day go to the Wikipedia article on IWD. International Women's Day is meant to commemorate the struggle of women for dignity and liberty. Sadly even today there is still a long way to go before these ideals are achieved. The following article is from the Maquila Solidarity Network, and it highlights the struggles of women in the garment industry today.

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International Women’s Day, March 8, 2009: A Day to Honour the Women Who Labour Behind the Labels:
On International Women’s Day we celebrate the struggles of women around the world, but March 8 has special meaning for garment workers, the women who labour behind the brand-name labels.

One hundred and fifty years ago, on March 8, 1857, women garment workers marched through the streets of New York City to protest poverty wages, 12-hour workdays, and inhumane working conditions. The marchers were attacked by the police and many women were injured and arrested.

One hundred years ago, on March 8, 1908, women workers were once again marching through the streets of New York, demanding shorter working hours, decent wages, an end to child labour, and the right of women to vote. This time there were 15,000 marchers.

International Women’s Day also commemorates the 1912 textile workers’ strike in Lawrence, Massachusetts, where women strikers adopted the slogan “Bread and Roses” – “We want bread, and roses too.”

On March 8, we also honour the 140 women garment workers who lost their lives in the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in which the lack of health and safety measures and locked factory doors forced young women to jump from factory windows to their deaths to escape the flames.

And despite all that working women have achieved over 150 years of struggle, today, on March 8, 2009, we are still struggling for many of these same things – a living wage, decent working hour, an end to child labour, healthy and safe workplaces and an end to violence, harassment and abuse of women workers, secure employment, and the right to be treated with respect by our employers.

Read the story of Mexican garment worker, Reyna Ramirez Salce, and learn about the violence women workers suffer while making clothes for the North American market.

Today, we face an additional problem – a global financial crisis that is threatening to close factories and put women and men out of work.

On March 8, over a thousand women maquiladora workers will gather together in Managua, Nicaragua to discuss the “Impact of the Economic Crisis on the Lives of Women: Looking for Alternatives.”

They will be attending the 11th Annual Colloquium of the Maria Elena Cuadra Women’s Movement (MEC), and MSN Executive Director Lynda Yanz will be there to give a message of solidarity from their sisters in Canada.

Visit MEC's website for information (in Spanish) on their important work with women maquila workers.

As part of the campaign for Decent Work in Latin America’s garment industry, the CSR network, Red Puentes, is collaborating with the Independent Monitoring Group of El Salvador (GMIES) and the Labour Development Program (PLADES) of Peru to co-sponsor meetings and public forums in the two countries.

The groups will be screening two new Red Puentes videos profiling the voices of women maquila workers who have lost their fear of organizing to defend their rights.
To view the videos (in Spanish only), go to

Red Puente's website.
Download our Women's Day 2009 Postcard (PDF 573K)

PERSONAL:

MOLLY GETS MAIL:

It's the holiday season, and the time to send greetings and best wishes for the upcoming year to all and sundry. Here's one that Molly has received from the Maquila Solidarity Network here in Canada. More to follow. Best wishes to them as well, and may the Empire falter in the New Year.

Molly.

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR-THE PHILIPPINES:

SOLIDARITY WITH LABOUR RIGHTS ACTIVISTS:

At this time dozens of labour rights activists in the Philippines have an "arrest list" hanging over their heads because of their activities in defense of workers' rights. The following appeal comes originally from the Workers' Assistance Centre in the Philippines, but it has also been broadcast by the International Labor Rights Forum and the Maquila Solidarity Network. Here's the story and what you can do to help.

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URGENT ACTION: 71 labour rights advocates put on arrest lists by Philippine Government‏ :

On October 3, 2008, the terror felt among labour activists in the Philippines grew even stronger. In addition to the arrest of Remigio Saladero, which MSN alerted you to earlier, another 71 people including well-known human and labour rights advocates were put on an arrest list by the Philippines government. Emmanuel "Manny" Asuncion, who is a board member of the Workers’ Assistance Centre (WAC) -- a close ally of MSN -- was included in the arrest order. At this point in time, Manny has not been arrested but there is increasing concern that he will be. WAC advises that the list of those to be charged was created without any due process or investigation period.

The International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) has issued an action alert urging people to speak out against this possible arrest and the persecution of labour and human rights advocates in the Philippines. MSN urges you to support this appeal by sending an email to the Government of the Philippines and the Employers Confederation of the Philippines.

Click here to join the protest. (NOTE: This will take you to the ILRF site, where you can choose whether or not to receive further action alerts from them directly by checking or un-checking the appropriate boxes)

You might also be interested in ILRF’s blog posting Blind Justice Gone Awry in the Philippines: "Please, no questions asked." For further background on the case from WAC, please click here.

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By clicking the link above you will come to the site where you can send the following letter to the government of the Philippines and the Employers Confederation of the Philippines.

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THE LETTER

I have just received an email from the International Labor Rights Forum indicating that there has been a continued effort by the Government of the Philippines with cooperation from the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) to continue to intimidate and thwart the efforts of labor unionists and supporters in demanding accountability for the violence against labor leaders.

Furthermore, I am shocked to learn that ECOP has stood in opposition of a formal investigation by the International Labor Organization (ILO) into the violence and targeting of labor leaders in the Philippines. Given that the ILO is an internationally recognized and respected body, I would expect the ILO would be welcomed to the Philippines.

I have also learned that no due process was followed before the 72 arrest warrants were filed which included arrest orders for many of the most outspoken labor leaders in southern Tagalog.
I send this email in the hopes that the government of the Philippines and ECOP will: - End the campaign of intimidation against labor leaders and supporters;- Invite the ILO to do a full independent investigation into the human rights violations in the Philippines;- Drop all the criminal charges against Emmanuel "Manny" Asuncion and to all other labor activists and leaders of people's organizations in Cavite.

I stand in solidarity with the workers of the Philippines and look forward to the day when they will enjoy the full benefits of internationally recognized labor rights.