Uncertain Stakes Of Vodacom To Vodafone

The Communication Workers’ Union is seeking to stop Telkom South Africa Ltd. from disposing of its Vodacom Group Ltd. stake, saying workers weren’t consulted on the transaction.

The labor union has served notices to Telkom, Vodacom, Vodafone Group Plc and South Africa’s Department of Communications that it will file an urgent court application to halt the transaction, the Johannesburg-based union said in a statement dated April 17. The CWU, as its known, has 29,000 members in the telecommunications industry in South Africa, according to the e-mail.

“CWU’s main bone of contention is the fact that the organization was not properly consulted” in breach of an agreement between the union and Telkom, the CWU said. Telkom will oppose the application, the Pretoria-based company said in an e-mailed response today. Spokespeople at Vodacom, Vodafone and the communications ministry weren’t immediately able to comment when contacted by Bloomberg News.

Telkom, Africa’s largest fixed line operator, is selling a 15 percent stake in Vodacom to Vodafone, which already holds 50 percent of the largest provider of mobile-phone services to South Africans. Telkom’s remaining 35 percent will be spun off to shareholders by way of a Vodacom listing on the Johannesburg stock exchange. The listing date was moved to May 18 from May 3, Telkom said April 17, without giving reasons for the delay.

Nicky Smith
nsmith38@bloomberg.net

Truckers From South Africa To Raise Arms

The South African main transport union, SATAWU, has dimissed reports that it had suspended its strike following an agreement reached last night with the Road Freight Employers Association (RFEA) of and 11 percent across the board increase.

"We categorically state that there was no agreement reached or signed by SATAWU negotiators. We believe that the reports are intended to create confusion and mislead our members on the ground," said the union in an angry statement today, further saying any draft agreement be reached will be brought back to members for mandating purposes.

"Therefore the strike continues and SATAWU calls for maximum unity and discipline from all its members in pursuit of our legitimate demands," the union declared.

The strike which entered its thrid day today has already crippled some fuel stations across South Africa which reported to have ran dry, with trucks said to be standing still while the workers push for an increase.

SATAWU, South Africa's main truckers' union, went on strike over wages on Tuesday and with no agreement reached, there were already fears that the action could cost the Easter holidays in South Africa and some of its neibouring countries, with deliveries of goods and supplies most hit.

Apart from gasoline stations, other secotrs such as the medical supplies, small agriculture markets and food supply chains in general have been said to have been directly affected by the strike.

http://www.afrol.com/

Fewer Sick Leave From Sweedes

Fewer Swedes are claiming sick leave benefits than at any point since 1982, according to new figures from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency

1)Nurse gets injury payout after 36 years
2)Greens demand interest on late social security payments
3)Restructuring problems cause late social insurance payments

In January this year, the agency paid benefits to some 112,000 people who had spent at least the previous 30 days on sick leave. In December 2003 this figure was more than twice as high.

The sharp drop is reflected across all counties, both sexes and among both native Swedes and people born outside the country.

"The number of cases of people out sick for over 30 days is now at its lowest level since the early 1980s. It is our view that sick leave cases will settle at historically low levels in 2010," said the agency's director-general, Adriana Lender, in a statement.

The number of people on sickness-related early retirement schemes has also plummeted, with 35,000 people granted access to early retirement benefits in the last twelve months, the lowest level since the 1970s.

In total, 520,000 people in Sweden receive early retirement benefits, corresponding to one in every ten people between the ages of 19 and 64.

In the twelve months leading up to April 2009 the Social Insurance Agency paid out benefits amounting to an an average of 35.1 work days per person aged 19 to 64. In 2003 the corresponding figure soared to a record 43 work days per person.

The agency has introduced tighter checks on benefit recipients in recent years to combat a situation in which Sweden's sick leave statistics had strayed way beyond the European average.

http://www.thelocal.se/

New Wages For Workers

Donor dependent budget and balancing between social services and minimum wage are among major constraints that hinder government to decide on minimum surviving wage for its workers.

Minister for Labour, Employment and Youth Development, Prof Juma Kapuya told reporters in Dar es Salaam yesterday that the government wishes to pay its workers living wage recommended by various stakeholders but it needs to work out on modalities to effect such payment.

"We have a problem here, we could decide that all taxes we collect from wananchi be used to pay our workers, but what about the social services that people need from the government?" asked the minister.

He said working on the donor dependent budget; the Government has to balance between paying its worker handsomely and its ability to provide social services to Tanzanians.

The minister said that the donor dependent budget denies and threatens the Government independence on many things including setting a sound minimum wage for its workers.

The Trade Union Congress of Tanzania (TUCTA) recommended that the government should pay Sh318,000 as the minimum wage while the opposition parties recommended Sh210,000.

He was talking on International Labour Organisation's, (ILO) 90th anniversary to be celebrated on Monday.

He commended the organisation for various initiatives that led to the promotion of labour standards, employment creation, social protection and social dialogue.

The minister said ILO leads other United Nations (UN) organisations in implementing democracy in the country by incorporating the Government and other labour stakeholders before making decisions on any matter.

Speaking during the meeting the ILO director for East Africa and Somalia, Mr Alexio Musindo, said the organisation was dedicated to promoting social justice and decent work agenda through implementation of its four objectives.

http://thecitizen.co.tz/index.php

Canadians Holds Hands Together

Supporters of the Venezuelan revolution gathered in front of the Venezuelan consulate in Montreal on Sunday 15th of February at 11:00 am, in a demonstration called by Hands Off Venezuela/Société Bolivarienne du Québec. This was a cross-Canada event, as activists from Hands Off Venezuela Toronto, and the Mohawk community also traveled to increase the spirit of solidarity. All were united in solidarity with the revolution and the yes vote in the referendum abolishing term limits.

Morale was high despite bitter cold, and intimidation attempts by opposition supporters, who called Montreal police to have the demonstrators removed. The supporters of the oligarchy became aggressive, assaulted the demonstration to take away a megaphone, and themselves were pushed back by the police instead.

Alex Grant of HOV Toronto spoke to the demonstration and clearly pointed out the reason why the opposition supporters were so infuriated by our presence: the Venezuelan revolution is an example to the working class of the entire world, it shows that the capitalists and the oligarchs can be fought and overthrown by the mobilization of the toiling masses. Chavez has enraged the capitalists in Venezuela and internationally, as he has time and again come down on the side of the masses in their struggles against the few who previously concentrated enormous wealth and power in their hands.

The Venezuelan Revolution has become the focal point of the hopes of millions, not just in Venezuela, but in every country on earth. In all the demonstrations in the Arab world against the imperialist slaughter perpetrated by the Israeli ruling class, Chavez’s picture was held high. From the perspective of the bourgeoisie, the message is clear: the masses must not be allowed to elect Chavez again. This is why the oligarchy, and the bourgeois press across the world, mobilized to prevent the people of Venezuela from freely deciding who they want as their president without restriction. The oligarchy cannot defeat Chavez in elections, so they must prevent him from running again.

At noon, the demonstration marched to McGill University, where HOV/SBQ Montreal and visiting members of HOV Toronto held a public forum entitled “The Financial Crisis and the Bolivarian Revolution”. Joel Bergman, of HOV/SBQ Montreal, reminded the audience of the importance of the Venezuelan revolution, which has implemented massive social programs, raised living standards and nationalized whole industries. Joel emphasized the need to defend these gains against the attacks of the oligarchy.

Camilo Cahis from HOV Toronto also spoke and pointed to governorships and mayoralties where the opposition has recently taken power, only to turn around and use these institutions to launch attacks against the communal councils, the social missions and the working class. They have even used these bases of power to organize armed fascist gangs, which have been roaming the streets with impunity.

Both speakers underlined that this would pale in comparison to the bloody counter-revolution that would ensue if the opposition ever took hold of the presidency, and this is the practical reality which the masses took into account when voting yes for the referendum.

However, the speakers pointed out that the oil boom which made all these reforms possible for a period under capitalism is now over, and the global economic crisis will force a resolution of the struggle in Venezuela one way or the other. If the revolution falters, the Venezuelan people face the prospect of inflation, mass unemployment and widespread lockouts to remove hard-won gains for the workers. This will be fertile ground for fascist gangs, who will not hesitate to settle their score with the masses, as they did in the massacres in Chile in 1973.

There is another option. Comrades from Montreal and Toronto were united in calling for the revolution to move forward after the referendum, towards expropriating the oligarchs completely, taking away their power over the factories and the banks, and submitting them to the democratic control of the working class and the Venezuelan masses. So long as the oligarchs can still use these levers to attack the revolution, then the revolution is not irreversible.

Already, the example of the occupied factories movement in Venezuela, placing factories under the control of workers’ councils, has inspired the first factory occupation since the 1930’s in the USA. Across the world, the exploited and oppressed are facing towards the fires of revolutionary struggle that are burning in Venezuela, and across Latin America. The demonstration and this forum were yet more proof that the Venezuelan people can count on their example being paid back in solidarity the world over. We gathered together for one reason, to call out: HANDS OFF VENEZUELA!

http://www.handsoffvenezuela.org/

Chavez Absence In Summit

The much awaited arrival of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez ended in disappointment for many when he failed to turn up yesterday, at the Federation of Independent Trade Unions and NGO’s (FITUN’s) hosting of the Fourth Summit of the People.

However, people from across the Americas and the Caribbean were present in numbers to show solidarity for the forum aimed at discussing issues affecting the hemisphere.

President Chavez, identified by his countrymen as a “president of the people,” was invited to the three-day People’s Summit, to bring solidarity to the movement.

Among the attendees, were Brazilian national Luis Bassegio and Puerto Ricans Linda Alonso Lebran and Fernando Quiles, who were reportedly detained for several hours on their arrival at the Piarco International Airport, last Wednesday.

In his address yesterday, at the University of the West Indies’ Spec Centre, Bassegio said they were greeted by Police moments after landing on the tarmac at the airport.

But while he and his entourage were dubbed by Police as “professional protestors”, Bassegio said they had gone only to discuss the crises facing the people of the region.

Interviewed afterwards, Lebran said “it was an awful experience.”

“We are just peaceful political activists,” she added.

And as she spoke, a group of Police officers who had been posted at the Centre stood watch behind.

The officers together with Army soldiers had reportedly set up camp at the Centre in anticipation of the event.

Lebran recalled that her colleague identified as “Tito” was also detained by Police, but was sent back to his homeland on the following morning.

The forum was chaired by FITUN head, David Abulah, in which labour activists from around the Caribbean spoke and identified the problems plaguing the region. Following discussions yesterday, a draft declaration is expected to be submitted to the heads attending the Fifth Summit of the Americas.

http://www.newsday.co.tt

Welsh Workers Goodwill

WELSH workers are the most flexible in the UK when it comes to accepting pay cuts to save their colleagues’ jobs.

That is the finding of a major survey of more than 2,500 people by the independent campaign Keep Britain Working.

The research found that 93% of workers in Wales would accept changes in their working conditions to help colleagues keep their jobs and 37% would accept a cut in pay.

It also found a staggering 61% would accept a reduction in hours.

All three figures are higher than any other part of Britain.

The poll is published in advance of Wednesday’s Budget statement, which Gordon Brown has acknowledged needs to be “a Budget for jobs”.

Yesterday veteran Corus blast furnace worker and former Neath Port Talbot mayor Tony Taylor said the poll’s findings came as no surprise.

He said: “We in Wales have undergone a dramatic shift from heavy industry to lighter industries and have had to accept wholesale change in a relatively short time period.

“The inward investment we have enjoyed in Wales in recent years, for instance, is partly a result of the fact employers know they have a flexible workforce in Wales, willing to change and willing to get on with the job.

“The changes in the steel industry, as just one example, have been really, really drastic in the past 10 years alone and changes over 30 to 40 years have been huge.

“But like in other industries in Wales where there have been big changes, Corus workers have got on with it.

“But we are used to changes here now, both demographically and in terms of working practice.

“And the stark truth is we have had to get on with things because the changes have been coming so thick and fast.”

Mr Taylor, of Aberavon, Port Talbot, who works at the town’s Corus steel plant, added: “I really think the attitude of the workforce here puts us at a big advantage when it comes to winning inward investment projects and new jobs.

“It’s still sad of course to see heavy industries steadily declining but that is something we have to come to terms with.”

The survey also found that, across the UK, 31% would agree to lose certain benefits to keep their jobs, 6% would accept a three-month unpaid sabbatical, and 19% would accept a sabbatical on 30% pay.

Three out of five would take on extra responsibilities, while 48% would change their role entirely if it kept their colleagues in work.

However, the survey found such measures needed to “feel fair” to retain support.

If employers asked for sacrifices without making any themselves, 49% of those polled in the UK said they would challenge their managers, while more than one in 10 would take more direct action.

And 3% would go slow at work, 4% would walk off the job or seek redundancy, and a further 3% would consider strike action.

Also, in a separate poll on the Keep Britain Working campaign’s website (www.keepbritainworking.com) more than two in five (46%) said they would consider following the recent Belfast example and occupy a factory rather than accept wholesale redundancies.

James Reed, founder of Keep Britain Working, said: “There seems to be a new altruism at work. If people believe that being flexible about their own employment conditions will help stem job losses, they will take on change and make personal sacrifices – especially if bosses do their bit.

“Indeed people are full of innovative and effective ways to help employers cope with the downturn other than by simply cutting jobs.”

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/authors/robin-turner/

Chicago New Fashion

When the United Electrical union workers at Chicago’s Republic Windows and Doors occupied their factory in the cold, early days of December last year, they were not alone. Hundreds of activists and community members turned out in solidarity, standing out front with picket signs and providing food for the workers inside. Many of these supporters were organized by a local group called Arise Chicago (formerly Chicago Interfaith Committee on Worker Issues), an example of a labor organizing model that is growing in cities across the country.

Beyond the coordinated organizing of local religious leaders and their communities, Arise’s pro-labor efforts include an arm dedicated to providing legal support and training to low-wage workers, particularly immigrant workers. This initiative is one among well over 200 functional “Worker Centers” that serve under-representad laborers in the United States. Arise Chicago’s director, Adam Kader, explains, “we’re a community resource … a place for workers to get educated about rights to learn about strategies for improving their workplace.”

The Arise Worker Center, like other organizations of its kind, began as a multi-faith religious advocacy group in 1991. The original members - among them Monsignor Jack Egan, Rabbi Robert Marx, and United Methodist Bishop Jesse De Witt - organized their varied religious communities to support labor initiatives on the north side of Chicago. When they published a comprehensive Workers Rights Manual in 2001, the group received a wide response as individual workers began calling with questions about their rights in the workplace. In 2002 the group added a Worker Center initiative specifically to respond to worker concerns about their workplace rights. Kader describes the early years of the Worker Center as a “rapid response” model, where workers’ calls were responded to as they came in - something the organization has tried to structure differently in recent years. Today, the Arise Worker Center is a member organization that somewhat resembles an actual union. Constituents are encouraged to “commit to other members” by contributing monthly dues (in any amount), attending and teaching workshops, and leading advocacy campaigns. With 215 members - primarily immigrants from Latin America and Eastern Europe, working in several industries - Arise’s Worker Center members have been able to take advantage of the broader network of Worker Centers to share stories and strategies.

In a 2006 Economic Policy Institute study of Worker Centers, Janice Fine described these organizations as “suggestive of earlier U.S. civic institutions” such as “fraternal organizations, political parties, settlement houses, and urban churches…” These early groups were places where immigrants found support and modern unions saw their beginnings. However, the organized unions that formed as a result - which provided job stability and secure wages to families in the 50s and 60s (when 1 in 3 workers was a member of a union) - have seen a steady decline over the past 50 years. The globalization of labor forces in manufacturing, and the nationwide expansion of unprotected job sectors (service industries such as food and janitorial services), has led to a modern economy in which few professions are protected against labor market competition.

http://isgreaterthan.net/

Fascist Assault On Mitsubishi Workers In Barcelona

In the afternoon of Thursday, February 12, a car in which three workers of the Mitsubishi (MMC) factory in Barcelona, Anzoategui State, were travelling was shot at with live ammunition. The workers were Luís López, Luís Guaregua and Alexander Rojas. The car received seven gunshots when it was on its way from Bolivar Street towards the "March 29" neighbourhood in central Barcelona. None of the workers were injured.

This new act of aggression shows how the war declared against the MMC workers by the right wing and its hired assassins and corrupt police is continuing. The enormous support for the cause of the workers shown by the Communal Councils in the area of Barcelona, from the trade unions and the working class have made the MMC workers a point of reference in the revolutionary struggle in Anzoategui State and in the whole auto industry of Venezuela.

This new attack also shows that the people behind the assassinations are still running free and are conspiring against the workers. The arrest of corrupt police elements who took part in the massacre is only the tip of the iceberg of a much wider drama, which involves directors of the MMC, judges, policemen and the opposition. We demand therefore the arrest of both the intellectual and material authors of these crimes and fascist acts of aggression.

The regional government of Anzoátegui quickly spoke out against these attacks. Rafael Vega, general secretary of the regional government of Anzoátegui, condemned these attacks, saying that: "The regional government of Anzoátegui condemns these acts of hostility and aggression against the workers and we side with the labouring masses." He continued: "We will not permit any violent attacks that intimidate the struggle of the 135 workers who were unjustly sacked through a cowardly action that the company made against the labour rights of these workers."

We welcome this change of attitude on the part of Rafael Vega. After the assassination of two MMC workers on Thursday, January 29, by the Anzoategui police, the same Rafael Vega made declarations on the TVO-TV station, trying to put the responsibility for these killings on the MMC workers themselves, thus echoing the version promoted by the multinational. It was therefore the workers of MMC that demanded his resignation.

All these fascist attacks show that the national and international campaign must be stepped up. Support the workers of MMC, Vivex and the other factories in struggle! First and foremost, we must address the rank and file of the PSUV who must organize against these right-wing attacks against the people and the workers. We must collect signatures against these attacks and organize solidarity meetings.

We appeal to all our readers and supporters throughout the world to step up the campaign. Please keep sending protest messages, spreading the word about these attacks and rally the maximum support for the cause of the MMC workers.

This attack is part of the violent attacks of the right wing against the revolution. The purpose is ultimately to get rid of president Chavez and destroy the organizations of the working class who are fighting for Socialism and for the YES-vote on February 15. The people and the workers must stay alert in order to mobilize in case this Fascist campaign of terror continues.

We ask all trade union, youth and solidarity activists around the world to:

1) Send messages of support to the workers at:
Freteco: frentecontrolobrero@gmail.com
Sindicato Nueva Generación, MMC: sindicatonuevageneracion@gmail.com

2) Send messages the Anzoategui governor demanding an immediate stop of all violence against workers and that those responsible for the killing of the two workers and the latest shotings be brought to justice immediately, email the following addresses: despacho@tarekrindecuentas.com
rima.saab@tarekrindecuentas.com vega@tarekrindecuentas.com despacho@gobernaciondeanzoategui.com info@gobernaciondeanzoategui.com and those who can speak Spanish to call Dalia Vega, head of the governor's office on
+ 58 281 2701405-2701406

3) Send messages to the Venezuelan Bolivarian government, embassies and consulates asking for an immediate and full investigation of these events, the nationalisation of Vivex and the satisfaction of the demands of the MMC workers (contact the Office of the President at dggcomunicacional@presidencia.gob.

Ukranian Miners On A Plain

Seventy-four mine workers at Kommunarskaya Coal mine No22 in the Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, took the decision to stay underground after having finished their first shift today in protest over wage debts, the Ukrainian information agency UNIAN reports.

A Donetsk department for the Central state paramilitary rescue sevice headquaters say workers from two units refused to go up to the surface and remained at K3 diagonal pit shaft. “All the miners are feeling well at present, with on-site physicians watching over their health condition,” the mine-rescue workers report.

With their wages still unpaid and their financial tense situation remaining unresolved, workers from of two other mines in the region have resorted to similar industrial action recently, Ukrainian informantion agencies report. On 12 April miners at the Makeevka mine plant refused to leave the pits and stayed underground after the second shift and on 17 April, over 60 miners from the Donetsks mine construction public corporation protested against their unpaid wages by staying underground after their second shift on 17 April, Ura-Inform Donetsk news agency reports.

http://www.mosnews.com/

Give Up The Mining In Zambia

ROAN Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili has advised National Energy Sector and Allied Workers' Union (Nesawu) general secretary, Yotam Mtayachalo to concentrate on resolving issues affecting the energy sector.

Mr Kambwili charged that instead of Mr Mtayachalo commenting on matters affecting the mining sector, he should concentrate on resolving issues such as the pending 66 per cent electricity tariff hike as well as improving the working conditions for employees in Zesco.

Speaking in an interview yesterday, Mr Kambwili said he would continue speaking for miners, particularly the plight of former Luanshya Copper Mines (LCM) and the issue of a new investor for the mine.

"What he (Mr Mtayachalo) needs to concentrate on are issues of Zesco and the impact that electricity tariff increase will have on the citizens, and let me tell him that I will continue speaking for the miners.

"If the Mine Unions of Zambia is going to support Chinese investors, I am not going to support them. LCM is in my constituency and I will not stop talking for the miners," Mr Kambwili said.

Mr Kambwili said that with Mr Mtayachalo concentrating on issues that did not fall within his jurisdiction, it was only logical that he stepped down and concentrated on commenting on matters outside his ambit.

He alleged that Mr Mtayachalo was not representing the interests of Nesawu members but those from other sectors like mining.

"I will continue speaking against the Chinese running the mines unless they change, and I do not know why Mtayachalo is condemning an innocent man doing an innocent cause," Mr Kambwili said.

On Tuesday, Mr Mtayachalo urged Mr Kambwili not to take an antagonistic approach over the issue surrounding the new investor for LCM but work in unison with the Government to find an amicable solution to the suffering of the people in Luanshya.

http://allafrica.com/

Opposed The Exclusion Of Asbestos And Endosulfan

The ITUC has condemned the decision to exclude chrysotile asbestos and the pesticide endosulfan from the list of dangerous products under the Rotterdam Convention, the international agreement which regulates exports of hazardous chemicals. “Industry lobbies and the profit motive have tragically prevailed over the safety of workers and consumers with the refusal to include these two highly dangerous substances from the coverage of this Convention” said ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder, adding that “Governments must move urgently to correct this mistake, which leaves the health of many thousands of workers in mining, construction, agriculture and other sectors at grave risk”.

Under the Rotterdam Convention, governments maintain a list of dangerous substances which may only be exported according to the principle of “Prior Informed Consent” (PIC) – exporting countries must get specific permission from potential importing countries before the substances can be shipped. According to the rules of procedure of the Rotterdam Convention, chemicals can only be added to the PIC list if signatories to the 1998 convention reach consensus

At the most recent meeting on the Convention, seven asbestos-importing countries (India, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, Ukraine and Vietnam) supported asbestos-exporting Kazakhstan in opposing the PIC-listing. Other exporters (Brazil, Canada, Russia and Zimbabwe) are known to oppose restrictions on the trade in asbestos, despite the huge toll of death and disease it is known to cause.

Endosulfan, a neurotoxin which is poisonous to the human nervous system and is also believed to affect reproduction, is used as a pesticide in production of cotton, food crops and animal feed. As one of the more toxic pesticides available, its dangers to agricultural workers in particular and to consumers in general, are well documented. Alternative chemicals exist for all of its uses, but endosulfan is often preferred by producers because it is cheaper.

If you want more information, you can visit ITUC website.

http://www.sustainlabour.org/index.php

Global New Deal

The launch of the call took place at the Global Progressive Forum, a huge gathering of over 2,000 politicians, trades unionists, NGOs, representatives of progressive international organizations and grassroots activists in the European Parliament, and timed to coincide with the end of the G20. ITUC affiliates from every region also took part in the event. The declaration states “Together it is possible to change the face of globalization”

“Over recent decades, progressive forces have been warning about the accumulation of risks and injustices for people and the planet. Now, the fundamental and systemic failures of the current economic system are undeniable: the time has come to restate our values, our vision and our proposals for a new direction, transforming our societies, improving the lives of our and future generations”, said ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder

1.The biggest coordinated fiscal stimulus in modern history to stop unemployment and poverty

2.Financial market regulation, including an end to tax avoidance by the elite by abolishing tax havens

3.Supporting the transition to a renewable and energy efficient economy

4.Promoting fair trade

5.Pushing decent work up the global agenda

6.A more equitable sharing of revenue between capital and labour

7.Ensuring women’s rights

8.Massive new resources to secure development in the world’s poorest countries

If you are interested in the Forum and its launch, please click here.

http://www.sustainlabour.org/index.php

Venepal Workers Fighting Spirit

On September 7, 2004, the owners of Venepal, a paper mill in Morón, Carabobo, in Venezuela, decided to cease their operations and not pay their 400 workers their wages. This is not the first time something like this has happened. A year ago the company took the same decision alleging financial difficulties. At that time the workers decided to occupy the premises in a bitter eleven-week struggle. Now they are demanding that the government nationalises the company and puts it under workers’ control and management. This is an extremely important struggle which could be crucial for the future of the labour movement and the Bolivarian revolution in Venezuela.

Venepal is one of the main producers of paper and cardboard in Venezuela and its installations are located in Morón, in the industrial state of Carabobo. At one point it employed a total of 1,600 workers, controlled 40% of the national market and was one of the main producers of Latin America in this sector. But the company’s management allowed the paper mill to slowly lose market shares and revenues. In April 2002, at the time of the short lived military coup against Chávez, some of its main shareholders were present at the swearing in ceremony for the new, illegitimate, “president” Pedro Carmona. During the bosses’ lockout against the Chávez government in December-January 2002-03 the workers resisted attempts by the employers to paralyse the installations.

Finally, on July 4, 2003, the company declared bankruptcy and left 600 workers without jobs and owing them large amounts in back wages. The company had accumulated debts of $100million with the banks (60% with international banks, Citybank and Chase Manhattan Bank, and 40% with national banks), and a further $30 million with the Venezuelan state in unpaid taxes, national insurance contributions, gas and electricity bills, etc.

Read more...

Production Without Paraquat

A new report by the IUF and Berne Declaration, a Swiss-based NGO, shows that production without paraquat is entirely feasible and is already happening in important crops. The report “Goodbye Paraquat” emphasizes that 50 major producers of bananas and tea, which traditionally have been big users of paraquat in their crops, have moved away from reliance in this substance.

On palm oil, there are some producers who are paraquat users, but there is a preference amongst palm oil buyers from palm produced without paraquat. As IUF General Secretary,Ron Oswald says, paraquat is a health hazard for agriculture workers. Now, we know that some leading food producers are opting out of using pesticides like paraquat, but it would be better if governments support this attitude by banning paraquat.

The results of the survey show that in palm oil, banana, and tea sectors Paraquat-free production is not only desirable but also economically viable and thus possible. Consequenty, statements by Syngenta, the leading producer of Paraquat, to the effect that the highly-toxic herbicide is indispensable are clearly untenable.

In Switzerland, Paraquat has been banned for twenty years and in Europe it lost approval in 2007. But on many developing countries the product is still sold in great quantities despite the lack of sufficient protection for users. We can not stop here. We need more progresses in occupation health!

http://www.iuf.org/

BATTLE lines have been drawn against the inclusive government in general and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in particular, as his allies in the civic society mounted an attack this week to derail the constitution making process.

The Financial Gazette can reveal that the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) this week started canvassing for support from members of the Broad Alliance, including the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), to reject the proposed new constitution at a referendum expected early next year.

There is concern within the civic society that ZANU-PF and the two Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) formations want to impose the Kariba draft, albeit with minor adjustments, on the people through a 25-member Select Committee appointed on Sunday to steer the constitution making process.

Since its formation in 1997 the NCA has been pressing for a people-driven constitution, joining forces with other civic allies to denounce previous amendments to the country's supreme law.

The Broad Alliance comprises the ZCTU, the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition and the Zimbabwe National Students Union.

Its partners played a part in campaigning for the MDC-T and ensuring that President Robert Mugabe did not succeed in his re-election bid during the synchronised polls in March last year.

In the run-up to the March 2008 polls, Tsvangirai campaigned on the promise of delivering a people-driven constitution, among a catalogue of other populist policies that resonated with members of the Broad Alliance.

The Prime Minister outpolled President Mugabe in the harmonised polls but did not garner enough votes to be declared winner leading to a blood-letting presidential election run-off boycotted by the former trade unionist due to violence.

President Mugabe won the one-man race roundly condemned as a sham. For the first time in the history of the country, ZANU-PF lost its majority in the august house, creating a hung Parliament.

But the inclusive government has created fresh challenges for the MDC-T and its partners in the Broad Alliance.

Eric Matinenga, the Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Minister recently told civil society representatives that the Kariba draft document will not determine the outcome of a new constitution.

The Kariba draft was authored by ZANU-PF's Patrick Chinamasa and Nicholas Goche, MDC-T's Tendai Biti and MDC-M's Welshman Ncube in the resort town as the negotiating parties sought to find a solution to the political crisis.

"The Kariba draft is not and will not determine the final constitution", Matinenga was quoted saying. "That draft is on the same footing as the 1979 Lancaster House constitution and the 2000 (draft) constitution which was rejected by the people."

The civic society is however, not convinced.

The alliance met in Harare last Thursday at a consultative meeting boycotted by MDC-T legislators where it was agreed that the new constitution be rejected once it is put to vote at the referendum.

Critics of the NCA and its allies campaigning for the "No Vote" doubt Madhuku and company would succeed, considering that when they rejected the draft constitution in 2000 they were riding on the back of the newly formed MDC.

To succeed, the alliance would need to win the support of the electorate that has so far thrown its full weight behind the inclusive government despite the continued bickering over a number of outstanding issues.

The Financial Gazette established this week that there was consensus within the Broad Alliance not to embrace the constitution making process.

NCA chairman Lovemore Madhuku, whose organisation is fiercely opposed to the political party-driven constitution making initiative, did not mince his words in an interview with The Financial Gazette yesterday, blaming the premier for what he described as a "flawed and defective partisan constitution making process."

Tsvangirai last Thur-sday held a caucus meeting with his legislators where he ordered them not to entertain the NCA and other groupings opposed to the process brought about by the Global Political Agree-ment (GPA) under Article 6 of the September 15 2008 unity pact.

A few days after the premier's meeting, Spea-ker of Parliament Love-more Moyo unveiled the Constitutional Select Committee comprising legislators from ZANU-PF and the two MDC political formations, setting the stage for the political parties driven constitution making process.

The Select Committee would be charged with producing a Draft Constitution for Zimba-bwe to be debated in Parliament before a final draft is subjected to a referendum.

Madhuku said the NCA and like-minded organisations want Zimbabweans to reject for the second time another defective constitution making process.

This was in reference to the 2000 constitutional referendum rejected by the majority of Zimba-bweans.

"This will be a second rejection specifically for (Prime Minister) Morgan Tsvangirai who believes that popularity is all that matters. The second rejection will be his because (President) Mugabe already knows that popular support is not enough to impose a constitution."

Madhuku said the current constitution making process was so defective that the only hope for the inclusive government to succeed was to abuse Prime Minister Tsvangi-rai's current popularity.

"Tsvangirai was able to stop his legislators from coming to our function to eat our food but he will not be able to stop the ordinary people who are suffering during the present equally defective constitution. Let him try and test his popularity using this defective process and he will be surely embarrassed," said Madhuku.

Wurayayi Zembe, the president of the little known Democratic Party added his party's voice to the growing disgruntlement over the constitution making process.

"The ZANU-PF, MDC-T and MDC-M parliamentary route of constitutional making is oppressive, clandestine, and anti-people. We remind those of short memories that at the February 2000 constitutional referendum the people of Zimbabwe rejected a draft constitution that was imposed by the ZANU-PF commission," said Zembe.

"If a ZANU-PF commission of 400 individuals was rejected and dismissed by the people in 1999, it is baffling to see how a tiny committee of 25 can succeed."

Matinenga said yesterday it was unfortunate that there were some people such as the NCA campaigning against the parliamentary process.

"The fact that someone outside Parliament has a different view does not mean that the person will make the process people-driven," said Matinenga in an interview.

"Also the fact that the process has been started by Parliament does not make it less people driven. If there are areas of concern let's talk and we can reach some form of agreement," he said.

"This business of wanting to spoil or start a fight we don't buy it and it will not deter us to produce a new constitution under the inclusive government in a decent manner."

http://allafrica.com/

Polls fray enter for trade union leaders

MANGALORE: After a gap of 18 years, a trade union leader has entered poll fray in Dakshina Kannada parliamentary constituency. Senior trade union
leader and CITU state president B Madhava filed the nomination paper as CPM candidate here on Monday.

CPM last contested from Mangalore parliamentary constituency in 1991 with P Ramachandra Rao as its candidate. Speaking to reporters, Madhava said he was contesting as the candidate of Third Front with support of JD(S) and CPI. He said CPM would contest elections based on pro-people movement that the party had organized in the region. Both Congress and BJP-led fronts have lost confidence of the people who were looking for a change, which will be provided by the Third Front, he said.

B Madhava is a familiar name in worker's movement of the district. He joined CPM in 1972 and worked with CITU. He had organized several labour movements of beedi, construction and tile factory workers and was instrumental in forming the transport and engineering workers union. JD(S) district president K B Balaraj Rai said his party would extend full support to Madhava.

Assets over Rs 17 lakh
CPM candidate B Madhava has declared assets worth Rs 17,09,214 including fixed deposits, amount in SB accounts, property and cash on hand. His wife Veda Madhava possesses assets worth Rs 3,53,519. Details of the assets are as follows: An amount of Rs 1,01,000 fixed deposits in various banks and cooperative society, Rs 1,05,714 in SB accounts in scheduled and cooperative banks, non-agricultural land worth Rs 10 lakh and a house worth Rs 5 lakh. Veda has Rs 60,000 in a cooperative society, Rs 5,519 in SB accounts in a scheduled and cooperative banks and jewellery worth Rs 2,88,000.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/

Claimed membership by ship trade union

Port workers are being questioned in confidence on whether they are a member of a trade union and if yes, which trade union, the Ministry of Social Policy said today.

The process is being held by the Director of Employment and Industrial Relations to verify which trade union enjoys the biggest membership among the port workers.

The ministry said this process was established practice whenever more than one trade union demanded recognition.

It was reacting to statements by the GWU which criticised the director for the way the verification is being carried out. The union last week commissioned a ballot which, it said, found that the majority of port workers want it to represent them.

The Malta Dockers' Union is insisting it is the port workers' representative.

“The only certain manner to ascertain whether an employee is a member of a trade union or not is by direct interview. This system has been in place for every verification carried out last year. Indeed 18 such verifications were performed last year involving various unions including the GWU. Indeed in a particular exercise held last year, three unions were involved with two of them being the General Workers Union and the Malta Dockers’ Union,” the ministry said.

GWU REACTION

The GWU in a reaction to the government's statement said the legitimacy of such any exercise was wholly dependent on the methodology used by the director, and an undemocratic exercise could form no basis for recognition.

"The exercise proposed and currently being executed by Dr. Noel Vella (the Director of Employment and Industrial Relations) is flawed in that:

"The 'verification exercise' is not itself verifiable by anyone. Neither the two unions nor the employers have been given access to the records of the so-called verification and no party has been allowed to monitor the proceedings.

"Such exercise is potentially inconclusive and could coerce the parties to escalate the dispute.

"The exercise is spread over three days with the clear possibility for a union to put pressure on those workers who did not indicate their preference early in the verification process. It is inconceivable for a verification of less than 400 preferences to take more than a single day," the GWU said.

It said its own secret ballot was completed within a day by an independent law firm led by Professor Ian Refalo. Dr Vella had so far failed to explain why his own "verification" was to take so long.

The GWU said the allegation that the verification exercise is "the only certain manner to ascertain whether an employee is a member of trade union or not is by direct interview" is baseless.

"The method is far from certain in that a worker may opt or may be coerced to declare membership in a union when that is untrue. What the exercise would be recording is the worker's declaration at that point in time, which is equivalent to a vote. The only safe way to establish a free vote is through a secret ballot and not an open declaration which exposes workers to recriminations," the GWU said, adding that the director had repeatedly refused to organise or oversee a secret ballot of port workers' preferences.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/