ICFTU ONLINE...
207/981001/DD
Brussels October 1 1998 (ICFTU OnLine): The following is a summary of main trade union news for the last week. The numbers at the end of the paragraphs refer to the relevant issue of ICFTU OnLine.
Belgium/asylum seekers: ICFTU denounced the methods used to forcibly repatriate asylum seekers out of Belgium, and added its voice to the outrage at the death of Semira Adamu, a Nigerian who died after she was asphyxiated, when a cushion was held against her face although she was also handcuffed, while she fought against being taken out of the country on a Sabena flight. In 1997 Belgium carried out 3,860 repatriations, and official sources have confirmed that the cushion technique is frequently used. The ICFTU Women's Committee said that the techniques used in Semira Adamu forced repatriation were a violation of the UN Declaration Against Women. (OnLine 198)
Colombia: ICFTU support civil servants strike: 100,000s of civil servants went on strike on September 22/23 to protest at the government's austerity programme. The 48-hour strike, called by the CTC, CUT and CGTD and the pensioners' confederation, paralysed the country's courts, schools and hospitals. The unions were calling for pay rises to match the 18.5% inflation, and demanding that the government abandon plans to introduce 15% VAT on some food items. The ICFTU sent a letter to Colombian President Andres Pastrana asking him to open negotiations with the trade unions. (OnLine 201)
Ecuador: ICFTU attacks government repression: The ICFTU has written to President Jamil Mahuad about repression against people, including trade unionists, protesting over government economic measures. On September 14, a demonstration was broken up by police using tear gas, and 35 students were imprisoned. In addition, the ICFTU is demanding that the government open an enquiry into the attack on Jose Chavez Chavez, President of the Ecuadorian Confederation of Free Trade Union Organisations (CEOSL), on September 4. He was attacked and robbed by men wearing police unions, in what is seen as increasing intimidation of government dissenters.
Ecuador II - Three killed during national strike: At least three people were killed on October 1 during a day of national strike and protests against government economic measures, which included removing subsidies on petrol, electricity and diesel, and a 15% devaluation, measures implimented. on September 14, The strike was called by CEOSL and involved public sector workers, those from small firms, peasants, students, teachers. CEOSL has accused the government of taking measures which harm ordinary people, rather than controlling those responsible for the country's economic crisis - the IMF, the World Bank and multinationals.
Malaysia: ICFTU calls for release of political detainees -- In a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, ICFTU General Secretary Bill Jordan appealed for the release of all political detainees held under the Internal Security Act (ISA) and to ensure the fullest respect of workers and other human rights. During the interview Bill Jordan also raised the case of the mistreatment in detention of Anwar Ibrahim. The ICFTU also called for structural reform of international financial institutions to ensure economic development went together social progress. At a press conference held after the meeting, Bill Jordan described the International Monetary Fund current programmes as too rigid in the conditions they laid down for lending, and said they should be replaced with measures to stimulate investment, job creation and training, maintain and develop education, health and social security programmes. (OnLine204)
Germany elections: Good result for unions: The election of Gerhard Schröder as new German Chancellor has been greeted with delight by the DGB, the German trade union centre, and by the ICFTU. In the run-up to the election the DGB had organised a work and social justice campaign, which it is thought contributed to move for change in German politics. ICFTU General Secretary Bill Jordan has written to Dieter Schulte, DGB General Secretary congratulating them for the result, which he said he believed would benefit all German workers.
ICFTU proposals to IMF/World Bank Meeting: In
its statement to the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings the ICFTU has made two proposals for
immediate action on the non-payment of wages in Russia and on the restructuring of
troubled Asian businesses. For Russia and the Ukraine the ICFTU proposes a new
internally-supported overdraft facility for companies that guarantee payment of wages. For
Asia, the ICFTU is proposing an international fund to inject new share capital into Asian
companies and reduce over-borrowing. Financed by industrial country governments, the fund
would work as part of the World Bank's International Finance Corporation. The ICFTU
described the challenge facing the IMF/World Bank as an "opportunity to modernise the
institutions and regulations governing world financial markets, to catch up with
globalisation." (OnLine 202)
Renegotiating the Lomé Convention: Discussions have begun in Brussels on a new
partnership between European and ACP (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific) countries as the
current Lomé Convention, which governs the system of preferential trade arrangements
between the EU and ACP countries is nearing expiry. A new Lome Convention will begin in
2000. The ICFTU, World Confederation of Labour (WCL) and the European Trade Union
Confederation (ETUC) are concerned that in pushing for integration into the global market
and promoting the private sector, ACP countries could ignore social progress and the
wishes of civil society. Unions are urging greater democratisation of the programmes, and
lobbying for any future partnership to include the participation of NGOs, including trade
unions. The union bodies are also insisting that the Preamble to the Convention must
include a commitment that all parties will respect fundamental workers' rights, as laid
down in the seven core ILO Conventions. (OnLine 205).
International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU)
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please contact: Luc Demaret on: 00 322 224 0212 - press@icftu.org