PART IV Emerging Voice Representation Issues and Simple Tools for Workers’ Health & Safety.
Post on 26-Dec-2015
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Emerging Voice Issues: Global de-unionization
Unionization under 10% in some industrialized and most developing countries
Unions strongest in Unions strongest in publicpublic services services (increasingly privatized)
PrivatizationPrivatization threatening collective Voice threatening collective Voice
WomenWomen less unionized than men less unionized than men, and in few senior TU , and in few senior TU positionspositions
Widespread Widespread unawarenessunawareness of unions, esp of unions, esp.. in developing in developing countries (e.g. Africacountries (e.g. Africa,, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan) Bangladesh, India, Pakistan)
Bad News…But We Need to Know
Strong Strong scepticismscepticism about value of unions, esp. in about value of unions, esp. in developing countriesdeveloping countries
Absence of Absence of trusttrust in unions (only 20% Russian in unions (only 20% Russian adults have positive attitude toward unions; 11% of adults have positive attitude toward unions; 11% of Argentinians; less than 20% trust organized labour Argentinians; less than 20% trust organized labour in USA)in USA)
Power slipping to Power slipping to non-democratic, non-accountablenon-democratic, non-accountable groups (financial institutions, private groups groups (financial institutions, private groups controlling media, etc.)controlling media, etc.)
Social Social solidaritysolidarity eroded worldwide…but new eroded worldwide…but new Voice forms can re-build social Voice forms can re-build social solidaritysolidarity in new in new waysways
Good News: New forms of Voice gaining strength
New forms of Voice required, from global to local level
Coalitions of organizations: more influence than the sum of the parts
More trust in new forms of Voice (e.g. NGOs) than in government/old style unions
Good news: New forms of Voice gaining strength
The Way Ahead:Combine individual Voice with strong collective Voice
Ensure all legitimate interests heard effectively & equally
Need multitude of types of collective organization
Identify which NGOs represent & promote workers’ interests
Need to limit faith-based organizations – lack transparency
Membership-based organizations: Voice for informal economy workers
Community-based initiatives (crime reduction)
Provide Voice for care workers
Voluntary & corporate social responsibility: Not a form of Voice…but ethical behaviour does pay!
Labour ActivismDefinition:
To take action against employer in case of:Wage arrears
Non-observance of labour safety rules
Unfair dismissal of other workers
Violation of legislation or collective agreement
How?How?By applying to court (24% to 45%)By applying to court (24% to 45%)
By applying to government agencies (7% to 12%)By applying to government agencies (7% to 12%)
By applying to unions (12% to 31%)By applying to unions (12% to 31%)
By taking part in manifestations (2% to 4%)By taking part in manifestations (2% to 4%)
By going on strike (2% to 4%)By going on strike (2% to 4%)
No action (4% to 6%)No action (4% to 6%)
Don’t know (17% to 20%)Don’t know (17% to 20%)
What leads to activism?
Income securityIncome securityIncome (high) – income expectations (constant)
Representation securityRepresentation securityUnionization - opportunity to dialogue with employers - Unionization - opportunity to dialogue with employers - existence of non-union workers’ organisationsexistence of non-union workers’ organisations
Employment securityEmployment securityContract (permanent) - impact (not severe) in case of job Contract (permanent) - impact (not severe) in case of job lossloss
Skills securitySkills securityCurrent and future skills for workCurrent and future skills for work
Labour market securityLabour market securityFind another job (easily)Find another job (easily)
What does not appear to lead to activism?
Job security Promotion or expecting a promotion
Work security Health and safety at work or existence
of a health and safety committee in the firm
Lack of social protection combined with globalized economic trends
causes life to become very stressful, filled with increasing insecurities. Work-related stress and ill health are now global sicknesses.
A Rights-Based Approach to Workers’ Health is needed – a move toward the recognition of workers’ knowledge and need for their full participation in the
workplace
Protection against accidents & illness through OSHE regulations;
Protection from discrimination; Protection from violence,
harassment, stress, limits on hours of work;
Rights to employment & income security, compensation benefits, pension, maternity protection, holidays, work organization
Protection through legislation, enforcement, inspections;
Right to association; Right to collective bargaining; Right to health care, education,
child care; Right to refuse unsafe work; Right to joint labour-management
OSH committees; Right to know about hazards; Protection for “whistle-blowers”
A Rights-Based Approach to Workers’ Health
Move away from traditional engineering &medical approaches to workers’ health
Conducting a WorkplaceAssessment
Step 1: Get your employer involved
StepStep 2: 2:Select membersSelect members to perform to perform workplace workplace assessmentassessment
StepStep 3: 3:Agree oAgree onn WorkplaceWorkplace Checklist Checklist with with EmployerEmployer
Conducting a WorkplaceAssessment
Step 4:Do the Assessment with Checklist
StepStep 5: 5:Assess and Analyse ResultsAssess and Analyse Results
StepStep 6: 6:Trade Union & Employer Follow UpTrade Union & Employer Follow Up
Conducting a Workplace Assessment
Step 7:Review results
StepStep 8: 8:Contribute results and experiences to Contribute results and experiences to Trade Union NetworksTrade Union Networks
Is the labour market producing enough (quality) jobs?Yes No
Do you fear becoming long-term unemployed?Yes No
If unemployed, do you believe that you will be able to find an equivalent job (in terms of skills and income)?Yes, easily Yes, with difficulty No
Do you feel sufficiently protected against arbitrary dismissal?Yes No
Do you feel you are fairly protected in case you lose your job?Yes No
Basic SecurityBasic Security
Do you have a sense of being able to develop a career?Yes No
Do you have enough control over your career development (in your firm or in the company you are working)?Yes No
Have you switched jobs (within your company)?Yes, often Yes, but not voluntarilyYes, but for a worse job Yes, for a better job No
Would you describe your working conditions as: Very good Acceptable Poor Very poor Dangerous
Basic SecurityBasic Security
Do pregnant workers have maternity protection in your workplace?Yes No
On average how many hours per week do you work? No. of hours _____
Are you entitled to paid vacation days?Yes No
Can you get training to learn new skills?Yes No
Do you feel confident that you will bring home income at the end of every month?Yes No
Basic SecurityBasic Security
Is your source of income reliable/stable?Yes No
Is your employer trustworthy as far as the payment of your wage is concerned?Yes No
Are workers able to defend their interests on work-related issues?Yes No
Is there discrimination against women in your workplace?Yes No
Basic SecurityBasic Security
Is there discrimination against older workers in your workplace?Yes No
Is there discrimination against disabled workers in your workplace?Yes No
Is child labour used in your workplace?Yes No
If child labour is used, would you say that children are working in hazardous conditions?Yes No
Basic SecurityBasic Security
Country Level Surveys Government ranking of rights
Indonesia• Right to organise• Right to strike• Maternity leave• Paid leave days• Other organisation
issue• Study leave
Mauritius• Right to organise• Other organisation
issue• Right to strike• Study leave• Maternity leave• Paid leave days
Work Security Index
Selected ILO ConventionsSelected ILO Conventions
Mechanisms to facilitate OSH committee
Mechanisms to facilitate OSH committee
Government expenditure on work injuries
Government expenditure on work injuries
Average guaranteed paid leaveAverage guaranteed paid leave
% econ. active popn. covered by workers’ compensation
% econ. active popn. covered by workers’ compensation
Work-related injury rateWork-related injury rate
Workdays lost due to injuriesWorkdays lost due to injuries
Average reported working timeAverage reported working time
Disability/invalidity benefits provided to injured workers
Disability/invalidity benefits provided to injured workers
InputInput
ProcessProcess
OutcomeOutcome
Work Security
Index
Work Security
Index
How well is your country doing?Country Ranking 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 … (216)
Country Yemen Kuwait Morocco South Africa Indonesia Bangladesh KoreaWork Security Index 0.345 0.345 0.347 0.347 0.347 0.353 0.353Indicators covered 11 12 15 15 15 14 13
Conv. 1: Limiting hours of work No Yes No No No Yes No
Conv. 103: Maternity Protection No No No No No No No
Conv. 132: Annual Holidays with Pay
Yes No No No No No No
Conv. 155: Existence of OSH law No No No No No No No
Conv. 159: No discrimination against disabled workers
Yes Yes No No No No Yes
Conv. 161: Occ. Health Services No No No No No No No
Conv. 171: Restricting night work No No No No No No No
Govt. spending on workers' compensation (% GDP)
0.089 0.164 0.078 0.114 0.072 0.064 0.229
Mechanisms to facilitate OSH committee
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Work-related injury rate to employment rate (/1000 workers)
#N/A #N/A 0.0026 0.0021 0.0013 0.0482 #N/A
% population covered by workers' compensation
#N/A 0.3952 11 4 2 #N/A 55
Average guaranteed paid leave 21 14 18 14 12 17 20.5
Working time lost due to work-related accidents
#N/A #N/A 0.0993 0.10 0.10 1.02 #N/A
Average reported working time #N/A #N/A 47.2 41.1 39.0 46.0 47.9
Disability/invalidity benefits provided to injured workers
61 28 10 30 26 41 11
Simple Tools for Workers
Surveys Inspections by workers Small group discussions Mapping
– body mapping– hazard mapping– ‘‘Your World’’ mapping
Interviews Observation
Body Mappingcollect information about workers’ health, such as:
diseases
illnesses
injuries
aches and pains
stress symptoms
reproductive problems
other problems
Examples of different symptoms
Simple Tools for WorkersSimple Tools for Workers
Hazard Mapping
Physical hazards
Chemical hazards
Biological hazards
Work design hazards
Stress hazards
Simple Tools for WorkersSimple Tools for Workers
Your World Mappingcollect information about effects of working conditions on workers:
family lives
social lives
communities
neighbourhoods
mental & emotional health
Simple Tools for WorkersSimple Tools for Workers
Taking Action with Your Findings
• Verbal report with maps or pictures
• Written report• Prioritizing actions with
workers• Using the law• Using collective strength
• Negotiation with management• OSH committees• Collective agreements• Grievance/dispute procedures• Government inspectors• The media• Worker friendly networks
Food Workers Take ActionBrazilian Workers in Chocolate Industry Tackle RSIWorkers in Brazil’s chocolate industry doing research on repetitive
strain injuries (RSI). Results support cases of injured workers, prevent further injuries. Solutions focus on collective bargaining and gaining the right to intervene directly in factory.
Cambodian Farmers Research Pesticides
Mapping techniques used to address pesticide use, poverty, domestic violence, malaria and HIV/AIDS. Strategies developed to improve living & working conditions. Problems prioritized for action.
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