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<img alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/articles/InBrief100.jpg" width="100" height="39" />
The mining strike in Canada by members of the United Steelworkers (USW) against Brazilian Vale-Inco intensified on 1 August when 450 staff at Voisey&rsquo;s Bay in the eastern province of Labrador and Newfoundland struck. Those nickel, copper, and cobalt mining and processing workers join 3,500 USW nickel and smelting staff of Vale, who have been on strike in Ontario since 13 July. 
 
There, USW Locals 6500 and 6200 in Sudbury and Port Colborne are resisting affronts to their work standards by Vale, including deep reductions to pension benefits, downgrading a production bonus, loss of value in cost-of-living increases, and greater company flexibility on outsourcing, something that stands as a serious threat to job security. The same set of concessions is before USW Local 9508 in Voisey&rsquo;s Bay in talks over a separate labour agreement. 
<img alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/articles/0908.usw_.canada.png" width="347" height="138" />
(Visit the strike website here <a href="http://www.fairdealnow.ca">www.fairdealnow.ca</a> to learn more.) 
 
Although no formal talks have been held, USW and Vale-Inco in Ontario came to a picket-line protocol ten days ago that gives union officials on-site monitoring of contractors in order to protect bargaining-unit work. With the strike in Ontario hitting its one-month mark this week and global nickel prices starting to creep upward due to the walkout, the USW has launched a global campaign to pressure profitable Vale to drop demands that most certainly would bring social depravation to Canadian miners and their communities. 
 
The USW has rapidly activated the 150,000-worker Vale Union Network, a workers&rsquo; network started in 2006 with the &ldquo;Sudbury Accord&rdquo; that linked then-CVRD trade unions in Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Mozambique, and New Caledonia with one another. The network has expanded since, and with the start of the Canadian strike, mining and other unions in Australia, Germany, Peru, Sweden, South Africa, and within other countries have picked up the call of support. 
 
The &ldquo;Sudbury Accord&rdquo; contains six basic priorities, including stronger collective agreements, capitalisation by the company to ensure job security for miners, and the elimination of outsourcing and contract labour. 
<img alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/articles/0908.usw_.canada2.png" width="284" height="113" />
In the company&rsquo;s home country, the Brazilian labour federation Central &Uacute;nica dos Trabalhadores (CUT) reaffirmed its support of the unity accord by issuing a strong statement condemning Vale&rsquo;s corporate conduct. &ldquo;With the current international financial crisis, workers don&rsquo;t need to pay for a crisis they didn&rsquo;t create,&rdquo; said CUT President Artur Henrique da Silva Santos. CUT, the USW, and the entire Vale Union Network has designated 14 August as an International Day of Struggle on behalf of the Canadian strikers. 
 
The USW has dispatched teams of strikers to Brazil to explain the stakes, and the Canadians have been convincing in questioning Vale&rsquo;s rationale in its proposed social cuts. 
 
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also weighed in on the company social conduct. In a news magazine article, he scolded CEO Roger Agnelli for Vale&rsquo;s job-slashing and investment curtailments. Lula threatened to unleash the state development bank&rsquo;s investment arm and state-run pension monies on Vale in order to force better corporate behaviour. 
<img alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/articles/0703WayneFraser.jpg" width="150" height="151" />
Wayne Fraser
In northern Ontario, public sentiment around the Sudbury and Timmons mining towns is running strongly in favour of the strikers and of the belief &ndash; in the words of USW&rsquo;s lead negotiator and District Six Director Wayne Fraser &ndash; that the USW and local communities will not &ldquo;walk backwards&rdquo; with Vale&rsquo;s plans to negatively change the social culture of the region. 
 
Several Canadian unions have sent delegations to join picket lines in Ontario. Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) Mine, Mill Local 598 in Sudbury, a union itself in a jobs dispute with Xstrata and one with a contrct expiration coming early in 2010, marched alongside USW strikers in a 24 July manifestation and contributed C$5,000 to the local USW strike fund. A public employees union in Ontario joined picket lines and contributed C$2,800. 
 
Delegations from another USW branch representing Vale-Inco workers in Canada, Local 6166 in Thompson, Manitoba province, arrived last week in northern Ontario and lent valuable support. The same outpouring will now be extended to USW Local 9508 in Voisey&rsquo;s Bay. 
 
As for the ICEM, which closely monitored last spring&rsquo;s negotiations and then the extended contract talks in both Ontario and Labrador from May to July in unsuccessful USW efforts to move Vale off the destructive proposals, it calls on global unions and all of civil society to resist Vale&rsquo;s agenda in Canada. 
<img alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/articles/0704Manfred.jpg" width="140" height="193" />
Manfred Warda
Noting the company&rsquo;s overall profitability and its role with two other major mining houses to ratchet up iron ore prices worldwide, ICEM General Secretary Manfred Warda said, &ldquo;We demand that Vale return to negotiations and retreat from this harsh social agenda, an agenda that is socially irresponsible of a national company that is aggressively entering global mining markets. 
 
&ldquo;The ICEM and its global family of trade unions worldwide say &lsquo;no&rsquo; to Vale&rsquo;s assault on the living standards of Canadian workers and we call on Vale to fulfil the social promises that it made when it acquired Inco in 2006.&rdquo; 
 
Further, the ICEM notes that Vale boasts of its reduced operating margins, as measured by earnings minus tax and interest. In first quarter of 2009, operating margins have decreased a full 12%. That is just one reason why Canadian miners have drawn a line in this struggle by refusing to accept social cuts and contractual take-aways. 
 
As markets now begin to be affected by these Canadian strikes, the ICEM reaffirms its global support to the 4,000 strikers of Vale-Inco, and encourages all unions to provide visible help. The fight by USW Locals 6500 and 6200 in Sudbury and Port Colborne, Ontario, and USW Local 9508 in Voisey&rsquo;s Bay, is a flash-point inside the financial crisis &hellip; and more specifically, recovery. Preserving social benefits that protect people is a fight, at this particular time, that deserves broad support. 
 
Again, please visit the strike website here <a href="http://www.fairdealnow.ca">www.fairdealnow.ca</a> and learn what you can do to help.

No Talks, But Solidarity on the Rise in Canadian Nickel Strike

<img alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/articles/InBrief100.jpg" width="100" height="39" />
ICEM affiliate Petrol-Is, Turkey&rsquo;s Oil, Chemical and Rubber Workers Union, has started an organising campaign using unconventional methods. The campaign has received special commendation from ICEM General Secretary Manfred Warda. Choosing to target the city of Duzce, near Istanbul, the city was covered in campaign materials, with every billboard showing posters from the union. Banners, brochures, flyers, stickers, TV and radio adverts, newspaper ads, t-shirts, and a campaign website, were all produced, so that the campaign would be impossible to miss. Progressive cinema celebrities also produced films connected to the campaign. 

<img alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/articles/0907.turkey.png" width="349" height="212" />
The special website and blog for the campaign can be found <a href="http://www.sendikaliol.org">here</a>. The project&rsquo;s slogan &ldquo;Sendikalı Ol&rdquo; or &ldquo;Be unionised&rdquo; is accompanied by &ldquo;Umutlu Ol&rdquo; (Be hopeful), &ldquo;G&uuml;&ccedil;l&uuml; Ol&rdquo; (Be Strong), &ldquo;G&uuml;venli Ol&rdquo; (Be Secure), &ldquo;Mutlu Ol&rdquo; (Be Happy), &ldquo;Birlik Ol&rdquo; (Be United) and &ldquo;Etkili Ol&rdquo; (Be Effective). The blog has specific sections designed for potential new members, &ldquo;What is the Union?&rdquo;, &ldquo;Why Unionise?&rdquo;, &ldquo;What is Petrol-Is?&rdquo; 
 
The impressive project is the result of long-term research and planning by the union. Following a dramatic decline in membership in early 1990s, organizing became an urgent priority on the Petrol-Is agenda. This extremely visible campaigning technique was chosen, to break the pattern of previous trade union recruitment campaigns. Many companies in Turkey do not recognise workers&rsquo; right to organise as a legitimate right. Previous union organising campaigns had come up against repressive union-busting measures from the employers, such as threats dismissals, blacklists, redundancies. Unions had therefore been forced to be conduct campaigns in secrecy. 

<img alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/articles/0907.petrol-is-president.jpg" width="167" height="172" />
Petrol-Is President Mustafa &Ouml;ztaşkın
The Duzce campaign was a chance to break a mindset that identifies &ldquo;union organizing&rdquo; with &ldquo;anarchy&rdquo;. The union&rsquo;s message was conveyed, not only to unorganized workers at their worksites, but also to their families and local communities. The campaign created an atmosphere full of energy, hope and self-confidence, especially for young workers. 
 
Next steps for the campaign will be a comprehensive recruitment drive in the coming months, similar publicity campaigns in other Turkish cities and at the national level.

Turkey’s Petrol-Is Launch Creative Organising Campaign

<img alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/articles/InBrief100.jpg" width="100" height="39" />
The United Steelworkers (USW) is on strike in Canada against global mining giant Vale, as reported in <a href="/en/78-ICEM-InBrief/3315-Miners-of-USW-Strike-Vale’s-Nickel-Riches-in-Canada">InBrief 135</a>. The ICEM is coordinating global union solidarity among its affiliates for these striking miners and is asking its mining affiliates around the world to demonstrate solidarity. A letter was sent this morning from ICEM General Secretary Manfred Warda, urging &ldquo;We have an historic opportunity in an expanding campaign to confront a global corporation with global trade union power&rdquo;. 
 
More than 3,000 Steelworkers in Greater Sudbury and Port Colborne took industrial action on 13 July; strikers are now digging in as the strike enters its third week. 
<img alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/articles/0907.usw_.canada.2.png" width="358" height="142" />
The local/branch of the USW has established a website in which the major issues in the strike can be viewed -- <a href="http://www.fairdealnow.ca">http://www.fairdealnow.ca</a>. 
Vale is the second largest mining company in the world. In the last five years, Vale has made enormous profits, with $13.2 billion (USD) net profit in 2008 alone. According to the company&rsquo;s own figures, each Vale employee produced $221,223 of 2008 net profits. Unfortunately, Vale has shared little of that profit with its miners. In contrast, it has paid six top executives $33 million in compensation in 2008 alone and had their pay increased more than 120% from 2006 to 2008. 

<img alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/articles/0907.usw_.john_.fera_.jpg" width="174" height="175" />
Local 6500 President John Fera
ICEM affiliates in Africa are supporting the USW struggle, and in doing so, are increasing the pressure on Vale leadership to halt their mistreatment of their mineworkers in Canada. This is because Vale plans large expansion in the African continent and their reputation there will necessary for this. Creating a two-tiered pension plan, slashing the nickel bonus and seriously damaging seniority rights, is not acceptable behaviour from the Vale management. 
 
CUT Brazil and the United Steelworkers signed what they call a &quot;strategic partnership&quot;, last week, to support workers in their negotiations with the Brazilian multinational Vale, in both Canada and Brazil. &quot;The Brazilian workers organized in the Vale Union Network, part of nearly 150,000 Vale employees in 35 countries on five continents, are extremely concerned about the fate of the negotiations in Canada, since the outcome could have an immediate impact in the renewal of the collective agreement in Brazil,&quot; the CUT statement said. 
 
As Vale Inco spokesman Cory McPhee blamed the current economic downturn for the extensive concessions for workers, including heavy cuts to pensions, and to production bonuses, Local 6500 vice-president Rick Bertrand pointed out that Vale Inco has made $4.2 billion in Sudbury since it purchased Inco, late 2006. The ICEM campaign will continue protesting against mining companies, who attempt to take unfair advantage of the current economic crisis. Workers should not pay for the crisis they did not create.

ICEM Affiliates Demonstrate Solidarity for USW Striking Miners in Canada

<img alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/articles/InBrief100.jpg" width="100" height="39" />
The members of ICEM affiliate, the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers' Union (CEPPWAWU) have engaged in a protected strike in companies around the country. The strike began on 20 July. The Union&rsquo;s 40,000 striking workers are demanding wage increases of between 13-15%, while employers are willing to pay between 8-10%. The negotiations have taken over two months and a dispute was officially declared last month, Skhumbuzo Phakathi, CEPPWAWU&rsquo;s International Coordinator, informed the ICEM. 
 
A countrywide march is planned for today. Thabane Mdlalose, the deputy general secretary of CEPPWAWU says the pulp and paper section met with employers at the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration last Monday, without agreement. &ldquo;All our members are still picketing,&rdquo; he added. The labour union also wants six months paid maternity leave and temporary employees to be made permanent staff members. 

<img alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/articles/ICEM.Solidarity.JPG" width="140" height="136" />
The union&rsquo;s Bargaining Council for the Wood and Paper Sector (NBCWPS), oversees the strike in the country&rsquo;s Pulp and Paper industry, focused at SAPPI and Mondi. The wage demand is 13% and the offer from the employer is 7.5%. 
 
CEPPWAWU&rsquo;s National Bargaining Council for Chemical Industries (NBCCI) has the following sectors currently on strike; Pharmaceutical, where the demand of 13.6% is countered with an offer of 7%, Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), where the demand is 10% and offer is 8%, Industrial Chemicals, with a demand of 11% versus an offer of 8%. 
 
CEPPWAWU&rsquo;s compromise position is a rise of 10% across all sectors, for settlement. Employers have offered 8 percent, which was the rate of inflation in May. 

<img alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/articles/SouthAfricaCOSATU2.jpg" width="102" height="111" />
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has come out in support of the CEPPWAWU mass action, warning that if employers do not better their wage offer, the federation's 2 million members will come out in support of its affiliate. 
 
In the petroleum sector, employers have settled for an acceptable offer covering a two year period, with 40% for maternity leave. 
 
Some of the major companies currently facing strikes are; Adcock Ingram, Air Liquide, Aspen Pharmacare, Barloworld Decorative, Umicore Autocat. Others are Afrox, Johnson and Johnson, Plascon paints, Dulux Paints, Unilever, Colgate/Palmolive, Lake International, Mondi, Sappi, and&nbsp;others across the different&nbsp;sectors. 
 
The ICEM will report developments as&nbsp;strikes continue.

South African Wage Strikes Continue

<img alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/articles/InBrief100.jpg" width="100" height="39" />
ICEM mining affiliate Sintracarb&oacute;n in Colombia is calling for international solidarity for the outsourced workers of transport contractor SOTRANS. Those workers are being subjected to a fierce campaign, in response to their attempts to exercise their right to organise and bargain collectively. The new trade union SINTRANS, faces a difficult challenge, as all SOTRANS workers are contracted on a fixed term, six-month basis. Colombia has ratified ILO Conventions 87 and 98. 
 
The fact that all SOTRANS workers are limited to six month contracts, enabled the contractor to end the employment of union leaders Vicente Pomarico and Jorge Diaz, ignoring their protections as founders and leaders of the workers&rsquo; organisation and members of the bargaining committee. The company have since continued their strategy of persecution and harassment of the union, making 33 more workers, involved in the union, unemployed. Eighty per cent of the SOTRANS workers are still reported to be organised. The management of Cerrej&oacute;n and the Ministry of Social Protection have voiced no objection at all to this blatant violation to the right to organise. 

<img alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/articles/0805COLOMBIA3.jpg" width="220" height="185" />
SINTRANS is the first union of subcontractors at Cerrej&oacute;n. Sintracarb&oacute;n, with full ICEM support, seeks to set a precedent of SINTRANS at the site, an example for workers at other subcontracting firms there. There are around 300 contractor companies at the site in La Guajira, conducting much of the operation&rsquo;s work. The union continues to organise meetings and demonstrations at the world&rsquo;s richest coal reserve. There is no sign of the union backing down. 
 
As reported in <a href="/en/78-ICEM-InBrief/3290-Sintracarbón-Seeks-Unionisation-for-Subcontractor-at-Cerrejón-in-Colombia">InBrief</a>, SINTRANS are pushing for two priorities, firstly full-time permanent employment contracts, and secondly wages and social benefits that are, at least, in line with the national minimum standards. They are currently paid US$250 a month. Subcontractors at Carbones del Cerrej&oacute;n, the world&rsquo;s largest open-pit coal mines, are often described as working in &ldquo;slave labour&rdquo; conditions. It is the responsibility of Carbones del Cerrej&oacute;n management to block SOTRANS&rsquo; campaign of harassment and union-busting at their site. 

<img alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/articles/0907.colombia.gaviria.jpg" width="140" height="173" />
Carlos Gaviria
Colombian politician Carlos Gaviria D&iacute;az, president of the Alternative Democratic Pole (PDA), has stepped in on the side of subcontractors, &ldquo;the realization of these rights is an indicator of the vitality of a democracy and the rule of law&quot;. Gaviria does not accept the claims from Carbones del Cerrej&oacute;n, that these rights violations are not their responsibility due to the &ldquo;independence&rdquo; of contractor firms. &quot;Outsourcing can not be a dodge to evade responsibilities and violate workers' rights,&quot; he added. 
 
Senator Jorge Robledo has also weighed in supporting the victimised SINTRANS workers, demanding the immediate reinstatement of the 33 union members sacked by the contractor. Robledo has also denounced the complicity of the Cerrej&oacute;n management. 
 
In unrelated news in Colombia, new ICEM affiliate Union Sindical Obrera (USO) are facing intimidation during their collective negotiations with petroleum company Ecopetrol. Thursday 17 July saw riot police attack workers at the Barrancabermeja refinery with tear gas, rubber bullets and stun bombs. Workers flocked to listen to union leaders at the refinery front door, but were attacked by the security forces, leaving 3 injured workers and arresting 2 more. The attack occurred two days after the start of the negotiations; USO suspended the meeting to focus on treating the injured and securing the release of detainees. 

<img alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/articles/Colombia.USO_.jpg" width="130" height="140" />
USO President Germ&aacute;n Osman condemned the attack. Ecopetrol is the largest company in Colombia.

Temporary Workers in Colombia Attacked for Attempting to Organise

<img alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/articles/InBrief100.jpg" width="100" height="39" />
The ICEM has received information from the Federation of Workers Councils Unions in Iraq (FWCUI) that one of their leading women activists is under attack. The management of the General Company for Leather Industries (GCLI) has punished Sawsan Mahmoud, by transferring her to another company. The decision follows her leadership and participation in a strike at the beginning of April 2009, after protesting against the company's failure to make all outstanding payments due to workers in April. 
 
The company's management, in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and Minerals, has transferred the trade union activist to Elez Company, a subsidiary of the Ministry. Sawsan has appealed to the Minister for the cancellation of the transfer. As a result the Ministry required the company&rsquo;s reasons for the transfer, which were reported by the company as being her participation and incitement of workers to go on strike at the beginning of last April, &ldquo;strike instigators are not keen on the stability of the country&quot;. The company reiterated its reply to the Ministry that the transfer was due to the recent events, referring to its workers' last strike. Subsequently the management of the company also proceeds now to punish another six workers for the same reasons. 

<img alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/articles/0611Falah.jpg" width="120" height="143" />
FWCUI President Falah Alwan
The FWCUI has taken up her case and that of the other victimised workers, mounting a media campaign and a legal case against the company and the Ministry. They have called on the international trade union movement to publicise the case and protest the action of the Ministry and the company. ICEM has done so and is in communication with ITGLWF about further support action. 
 
In a letter to Fawzi Franso Hariri, the Iraqi Minister of Industry and Minerals, ITGLWF General Secretary Neil Kearney expressed his concern over the treatment of Sawsan Mahmoud. Kearney stated that the company&rsquo;s behaviour &ldquo;represents a blatant breach of the right of freedom of association which protects the right of workers to strike as a means of defending their interests. This fundamental right is enshrined in the Iraqi Constitution as well as in Conventions 87 and 98 of the International Labour Organisation, which apply to Iraq by virtue of its membership of the ILO&rdquo;.

Iraqi Labour Federation Protests Attack from Industry and Government Ministry

<img src="/wp-content/uploads/articles/InBrief100.jpg" width="100" height="39" alt="" />
Three days of international action around decent work for casual workers, yesterday, today and tomorrow, are marking the 26 year commemoration of the 1983 disaster at the construction of South America&rsquo;s largest hydroelectric dam. On 28 July of that year, two rockslides buried and killed 200 labourers constructing the Guavio dam. Almost all of those killed were temporary labourers. 
 
The first of the two mudslides came 70 minutes apart, the second killing all those who had come to rescue the victims of the first. Those rescue efforts were being carried out in the dark, after all lights had been taken out by the first barrage of mud and rocks. 
 
In all 3,500 people were employed in the $1.4billion construction of the dam. Many of the temporary workers killed in the accident were teenagers. 

<img src="/wp-content/uploads/articles/0907.colombia20cal.JPG" width="360" height="253" alt="" />
Carlos Bustos, ICEM&rsquo;s Colombia Coordinator, in Bogot&aacute;, reports that yesterday saw many, from civil society and trade unions as well as victims&rsquo; relatives, make the journey to the Guavio dam, 87 miles east of the capital, in Ubal&aacute; Cundinamarca province. The commemoration ceremony was carried out there from 2.30pm. 
 
Today and tomorrow, at the Hotel del parque Superior, carrera 5, Bogot&aacute;, events will continue around the anniversary. Those marking the anniversary of the tragedy, choose to respect those who died by mobilising the campaign for full labour rights for contract workers, including on safety and health issues. Current day struggles of temporary labourers in Colombia, and throughout the region, will be discussed, along with the action of the unions. Sintravidricol, Sintraquim, and Sotrans, will share their experiences. Tomorrow&rsquo;s part of the national conference on outsourcing will conduct a round table discussion, bringing together the Ministry of Social Protection, the ILO, ICEM, and the national command unit, which comprises the CUT, CTC, and CGT. The session will be moderated by ICEM&rsquo;s Christian Rivas. 
 
ICEM&rsquo;s affiliate Sintraelecol, along with the three national centres CUT, CGT, and CTC, and NGOs who attended, deserve much credit for marking the occasion effectively and continuing the struggle for decent work for contract and agency workers in the region.

28 July Commemoration of Colombian Dam Disaster, 3 Days of Action on Contract and Agency Labour

<img alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/articles/InBrief100.jpg" width="100" height="39" />
Over 1,000 mineworkers at the Chinese owned Marcona mine in Peru, ended their indefinite strike action on 24 July, returning to work following a government resolution ordering increased wages, plus a one-off bonus. The workers are members of the ICEM affiliated Federaci&oacute;n Nacional de Trabajadores Mineros, Metal&uacute;rgicos y Sider&uacute;rgicos del Per&uacute; (FNTMMSP). 
 
Shougang Hierro Peru is the country&rsquo;s only iron producer, producing 7.5 million tones of iron ore in 2008. Production was halted at the Marcona mine, 217 miles south of the capital Lima in Ica Province, when workers downed their tools on July 13, starting an indefinite strike action for higher wages. 

<img alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/articles/0907.peru_.miners.jpg" width="318" height="228" />
Shougang mineworkers in Marcona
The global financial crisis has lowered prices for most of Peru&rsquo;s metals exports; companies throughout the industry are using that as an excuse to avoid making overdue salary rises. &quot;Shougang has the capacity to raise our salaries, just with 4 percent of its profits,&quot; union leader Julio Ortiz stated at the outset of the strike. Nearly 10,000 mineworkers have lost their jobs in Peru since November 2008. 
 
Ortiz then reported last Friday &quot;We have lifted the indefinite strike following a (pay) increase granted by the Ministry of Labour, although we don't agree with the increase,&quot; 
 
The Chinese Shougang Group, which has run the mine since 1993, had previously offered an hourly wage increase of US$0.23 but that was rejected by the union. The Peruvian government instead passed a resolution ordering a US$1.1 a day increase, plus a one-off bonus of US$433. The 1,124 striking workers had been seeking a US$3.3 increase on their US$18.3 daily wage. The rise is backdated to 31 March 2009. 
 
Local press had reported that the strike had cost the company over US$6 million, the claims were denied by the company. Negotiations between the union and company management were brokered by Labour Minister Manuela Garc&iacute;a, and provincial Governor R&oacute;mulo Trive&ntilde;o. 
 
Peru is the world's top producer of silver, and second top producer of copper and zinc.

Peruvian Miners Achieve Wage Gains at Chinese Owned Iron Mine

<img src="/wp-content/uploads/articles/InBrief100.jpg" width="100" height="39" alt="" />
Negotiations are presently taking place between the ICEM-affiliated, Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions (IFOU) and the Iraqi Drilling Company, following demonstrations and a workplace strike 24 June, 2009. 
 
Management called in Iraqi security forces, who cordoned off the demonstrators and workplaces. We are informed that only the demonstrators&rsquo; determination and good will prevented violence, given that the management had informed the military forces that the demonstrators were terrorists. Workers left at the end of their working hours but returned on the second day, gathering in front of the worksites and halting operating machines. 
 
Workers submitted their demands to the management which include: reopening the trade union, which had been closed by the Director-General, upon the Minister's directive; re-activating the productivity allowances payments and various other allowances; and moreover, the workers called on the ministry to be patient in the signing of licensing contracts which the ministry want to conclude. 

<img src="/wp-content/uploads/articles/Iraq.png" width="250" height="115" alt="" />
Iraq&rsquo;s oil workers are legally prevented from forming unions, based on remaining Saddam Hussein-era laws. The workers have organized nonetheless. The 2005 Constitution calls for new labour laws. 
 
Iraqi oil unions have repeatedly protested working conditions; including pay and housing, and opposition to the draft oil law, viewed as too open to foreign investment. The Oil Ministry has instructed its state oil companies not to deal with the unions and has come down hard in the past, as often reported by the ICEM. See recent ICEM reports on Iraq <a href="/en/67-Search-ICEM-site?keywords=IFOU">here</a>.&nbsp; 
 
Iraq has the world&rsquo;s third largest oil reserves, with considerable potential for increased levels of production. Iraq earns around 95 percent of state income from oil sales, nearly $62 billion last year. 
 
Negotiations are continuing with workers at the Iraqi Drilling Company. The ICEM will report further developments in this brave struggle for trade union rights.

Iraqi Oil Workers Struggle for Trade Union Rights

<img alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/articles/InBrief100.jpg" width="100" height="39" />
ICEM affiliate the Indian National Mineworkers&rsquo; Federation (INMF) led a joint protest of all coal worker unions in India, against the proposal of the Indian Government to disinvest shares of Coal India Ltd., a state owned body. All coal mines in the country were nationalised by former President Indira Gandhi, because of malpractice throughout the industry, and the inadequate rate of progress in the development of the industry. The unions jointly submitted a strong statement condemning the decision to amend the Coal Mines Nationalisation Act and calling on the government to desist. 
 
The statement is signed by INMF President, Shri Rajendra Prasad Singh and INMF Secretary General, Shri S.Q. Zama, along with the leaders of the other coal mining unions of India. The statement argues that Coal India is competent as is, and a more effective way of improving its operations would be for the government to provide adequate facilities, and also for the coal industry to be given &ldquo;infrastructure status&rdquo;. All the trade unions in the Indian coal industry pledge, in the statement, to work together to faster develop the industry and achieve the goal of producing enough coal to satisfy domestic need, and avoid importing it. 

<img alt="" src="/wp-content/uploads/articles/India.png" width="250" height="116" />
Coal India Ltd. made a profit in 2008 of US$1.8 billion. Raw coal production during 2008-09 went up by 7.90 per cent to 493.20 million tonnes. Coal India Ltd. is one of 40 publically owned companies targeted for privatisation in India. 
 
The Board of Coal India Ltd. has recommended that 5 to 10 per cent government equity can be disinvested. Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal accepts the recommendation and will now approach Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Jaiswal plans for the shares to be offered first to employees, secondly to those whose land was transferred to CIL, and then remaining shares will be open to all buyers. 
 
The unions oppose the allocation of virgin coal blocks to private companies, as well as the transfer of areas currently controlled by Coal India Ltd. (CIL). The statement points to the private sector&rsquo;s record of exploitation of mineworkers, and the extremely low wages paid by private companies currently operating in the industry. &ldquo;We demand that all the blocks should be handed over to Coal India for further production of coal.&rdquo; 
 
Further demands made in the joint statement are for an industry-wide wage to be enforced by the National Coal Wage Board, and for the prevention of outsourcing coal industry jobs to private agencies. &ldquo;We demand that the contract workers should not be allowed to be engaged in permanent and perennial nature of jobs and in other coal sectors they should be paid minimum of the scale in coal industry.&rdquo; 
 
The ICEM supports the campaign to oppose disinvestments and privatisation of the Coal Industry in India.

Indian Mining Unions Oppose Privatisation

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