WTO shuns world’s workers once again, say unionists

By Gustavo Capdevila

Geneva, Switzerland, Sept. 28 (IPS)— The World Trade Organization (WTO) is once again ignoring labor unions’ endeavors to make sure that international trade accords include rules guaranteeing respect for the fundamental rights of workers, complain labor activists.

The draft of the declaration drawn up by the WTO for debate at its fourth ministerial conference, to be held in Doha, Qatar, Nov 9-13, contains only a vague reference to the issue, known as “the social clause,” without incorporating any new commitments.

The draft is limited to reaffirming the declaration that came out of the WTO’s first ministerial conference, held in Singapore in 1996, with respect to internationally recognized labor standards.

The Singapore conference rejected the initiative put forth by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) to create a working group on core labor standards within the WTO, though the Singapore declaration indicated that labor rules constituted a matter of discussion within the WTO — which the unions at the time considered a victory.

Core labor standards refer to freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining, the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labor, and the effective abolition of child labor.

The need for urgent action on core labor standards is underscored by the fact that the number of export processing zones (also known as maquiladoras) has nearly doubled in just five years, says the ICFTU.

According to the organization, it is a particularly pressing matter because China, “a huge country that systematically violates fundamental workers’ rights,” is soon to become a full-fledged WTO member.

At the 1996 conference, the ministers recognized the International Labor Organization (ILO) as the competent entity for establishing labor norms and for following up on compliance.

But the matter was largely ignored at the two subsequent WTO ministerial conferences, in Geneva in May 1998, and in Seattle in December 1999.

Another leading international union organization, the World Confederation of Labor (WCL), joined the ICFTU in issuing an appeal to include the social clause on the agenda of the Qatar ministerial meet.

“The introduction of these labor standards is a key means of establishing minimum ground rules within the framework of globalisation and progressively improving working and living conditions worldwide,” asserts the WCL.

However, South Center, a Geneva-based research institution, indicated that the countries most likely to be accused of violating the labor rules would be developing countries, which are generally opposed to the social clause because they see it as “protectionist both in intent and in effect.”

The inclusion of the social clause in multilateral trade agreements would be intended to guarantee the right of importing countries to deny entry of goods produced by countries or corporations that violate internationally recognized minimum labor standards.

Minnesota state employees strike

By Ashley H. Grant

St. Paul, Minnesota, Oct.1— Up to 28,000 Minnesota state employees went on strike Monday, brushing off suggestions that the walkout was ill-timed in light of the terrorist attacks and sagging economy.

Minnesota’s two largest unions of state employees walked out over pay and benefits in the first such strike in 20 years.

Among the workers affected were Capitol security guards, highway maintenance workers, tax collectors, clerical workers and parole and probation officers. State troopers and prison guards were not part of the walkout.

National Guardsmen were called up to work in veterans homes, treatment centers and other institutions. Non-striking managers from various agencies were reassigned to help with food service, housekeeping and other basic needs, and hundreds of temporary workers were being hired.

The strike closed at least one branch of the office that issues driver’s licenses. The Minnesota Zoo was also closed to the public. In addition, the Teamsters said their truck drivers would not cross the picket lines and deliver goods to state buildings.

With nearly 28,000 workers eligible to strike, more than half of the state’s work force could be sidelined. There were no immediate estimates from either side on how many crossed the picket lines. If all workers went on strike, it would be the biggest state walkout ever in Minnesota.

Union members delayed their action for two weeks after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, but with a big gap between what they were asking and the state was offering, they said they would not wait any longer.

“This is about as American as it gets,” said Rhonda Land, an air quality inspector picketing outside the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. “People being able to speak their minds. This is extremely patriotic.”

Source: Associated Press

South Korea accused of using slave labor

By Sally Hardcastle

United Kingdom, Sept. 27— Garment workers around the world are accusing South Korean companies of treating workers as “virtual slaves” in factories abroad.

The Secretary General of the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers Federation (ITGLW) has gone to Seoul to protest about the treatment of workers in countries including Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

The ITGLW, which represents workers in the garment industry all around the world, alleges that South Korean companies running factories abroad top the list of bad employers.

The organization’s Secretary General Neil Kearney is in South Korea to present evidence which has come in from factories in many developing nations.

According to Kearney, employees had to work long hours for starvation wages. He also said that workers are often beaten when they made mistakes and fired if they complained.

“If workers attempt to form a trade union, all sorts of harassment and intimidation followed,” he added.

He claims that that the rogue employers ride rough-shod over local labor laws -- and are starting to give the south Korean clothing industry a bad name around the world.

The Korea International Trade Association has admitted that some South Korean businessmen abroad have treated local workers unfairly. However, insists that the situation is improving.

Source: BBC News