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Opinion 
Ignorance is not Bliss &ndash; Testing to Know your Status
In this article, some controversial issues of voluntary versus routine testing are discussed. Let us know your opinion; write to <a href="mailto:hiv.aids@icem.org">hiv.aids@icem.org</a>. 
 
Of the one million Americans with HIV, some 250,000 do not know that they are infected. If they do not know, they will not seek treatment and they are more likely to infect others. The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) of the US Department of Health and Human Services therefore recommends that all Americans between the ages of 13 and 64 should be routinely tested for HIV. 
 
The tests would not be compulsory but rather than testing only those who asked to be tested, the CDC wants clinics to test everyone who does not refuse to be tested, or the opt-out clause. In this way, HIV can be detected earlier, and the earlier it is detected the easier it can be treated. 
Some 40% of Americans who are diagnosed HIV positive progress to full-blown AIDS within a year of that diagnosis, which suggests that they were infected without knowing it for as much as a decade. 
 
The number of Americans with HIV increases every year. This is partly because drugs are keeping people alive longer. But the number of new infections has not fallen. It remained stable because people who are HIV positive do not know their status. 
 
With routine testing, doctors also hope to reduce stigma which is one of the largest barriers for people to avoid testing. The head of the World Health Organisation&rsquo;s (WHO) AIDS Department, Kevin de Kock, is quoted as saying that routine testing is a big step towards &ldquo;normalising&rdquo; HIV. 
 
Will routine testing lead to mandatory testing? Doing away with written consent forms and pre-test counselling to simplify procedures as part of routine testing is certainly a dangerous development and poses threats to human rights. 
 
Views have also begun to shift in Southern Africa. In 2004, Botswana became the first African country to introduce routine testing in its health sector, with Malawi and Lesotho following suit. Here the hope is also that by offering HIV testing as a routine part of any treatment, more people would be encouraged to know their status and that, over time, stigma will lessen. 
 
Zambia has initiated routine testing at health facilities in a bid to eradicate the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS, by transforming it into an &ldquo;ordinary disease&rdquo;. 
 
The Botswana authorities claim that very few people are opting out when confronted with the possibility to be tested and that a large majority of the population now know their status. 
However, the Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) has criticised the government for failing to launch a public information campaign, arguing that routine testing is only acceptable if patients know that they can refuse. Informed consent, counselling, confidentiality and access to treatment must be guaranteed. 
 
The WHO currently holds consultations on provider-initiated testing. Testing for HIV serves as an entry point for both prevention and treatment. Taking an HIV test is arguably the most influential driver for behaviour change. If a person tests negative, the focus must be on education and support to ensure that the person takes responsibility to remain negative. 
A person testing positive must be supported to take responsibility for managing HIV/AIDS as a chronic treatable disease, and to bring about changes in behaviour that will prevent further transmission. Antiretroviral treatment must be available. 
 
The GBC/COSATU Guide quoted below sets out principles for counselling and testing at the workplace. Together with the unions, companies must take steps to: 
&bull; prevent any discriminatory practices against HIV status; 
&bull; ensure confidentiality and informed employee consent; 
&bull; ensure that there is no penalty if an employee chooses not to get tested; 
&bull; ensure that testing is not in the form of pre-employment screening or mandatory testing; and 
&bull; reduce stigma against people living with HIV in the workplace. 
 
[Source: The Economist, 30 September 2006, from which the headline &ldquo;Ignorance is not bliss&rdquo; is also taken and various web postings of the UN Integrated Regional Information Networks. 
A Practical Guide for Business Managers: Accelerating Access to HIV Counselling and Testing was published by the Global Business Coalition (GBC) Africa Office and the Confederation of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in its 2nd print in August 2005.] 
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Facilitators&rsquo; Guide on Counselling and Testing 
 
In December 2006, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance based in Brighton, UK, published a Facilitators&rsquo; Guide entitled &ldquo;Let&rsquo;s Talk about HIV Counselling and Testing.&rdquo; The guide is a toolkit to build NGO/CBO capacity to mobilise communities for HIV counselling and testing. It makes specific reference to the significant policy changes that have occurred to models of HIV testing and the recent CDC recommendations (see article above). 
 
The publication, which is available in English and Spanish, can be downloaded from the Alliance&rsquo;s website <a href="http://www.aidsalliance.org">www.aidsalliance.org</a>. Established in 1993, the Alliance is a global partnership of nationally based organisations working to support community action on HIV/AIDS. 
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Russia &ndash; European AIDS Treatment Group Demands Action 
 
With an estimated HIV prevalence of 1.1%, the Russian Federation is one of the European countries hardest hit by the HIV epidemic. 
 
In a letter to the Russian Minister of Health Care and Social Development, the European AIDS Treatment Group deplores the serious shortcomings in standards of HIV care in the Russian Federation. Despite the fact that the alarming prevalence figures have been well known for years, the country has not scaled up treatment programmes to cover all in need of medication. 
 
The European AIDS Treatment Group appeals to the Government of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Health Care and Social Development to amend treatment guidelines. They must include, among other strengthening guidelines, the provision of antiretroviral drugs which conform to international standards; attention to the specific needs and requirements of injecting drug users, who represent 80% of all HIV cases in the country; and to adjust national healthcare budgets and the treatment programmes, under the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, to treat all patients in need. 
 
(Source: Break-the-Silence e-forum on HIV/AIDS, 3 January 2007. You can join by sending a blank message to <a href="mailto:join-break-the-silence@eforums.healthdev.org">join-break-the-silence@eforums.healthdev.org</a>) 
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Caribbean &ndash; AIDSs Crisis Blamed on Ignorance 
 
Delegates at a Caribbean Summit on HIV/AIDS blamed widespread ignorance for the AIDS crisis in the region. Ignorance is undermining the efforts to fight the spread of the disease in the Caribbean, which has the second highest rate of infection after sub-Saharan Africa. 
An estimated 500,000 people &ndash; or 2.4% - are HIV-positive. In 2005, an estimated 24,000 people died in the region from AIDS, making it the leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 44. 
 
Discrimination by employers and others is so pervasive that people do not go for testing and infected persons often delay seeking treatment for the virus. A contributing factor is also that it is still largely perceived as a &ldquo;gay disease.&rdquo; Social stigma associated with the disease keeps many sufferers from receiving life-prolonging medicines. 
 
(Source: Web posting on <a href="http://www.planetout.com">www.planetout.com</a>, 22 January 2007) 
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India &ndash; Generic Drugs 
 
India has become the premier drug provider for the developing world by producing cheaper generic versions of some of the world&rsquo;s most effective medicines, including antiretroviral drugs. But the country&rsquo;s decision to adhere to international patent regulations could limit access to generic drugs in the developing world. In future, when the country&rsquo;s patent laws will hinder its pharmaceutical companies from producing the latest drugs as generic versions, prices will go up. 
 
Some estimates indicate that Indian generic drug firms provide treatment for 50% of HIV-positive people in the developing world. The Indian generic drug company, Cipla, alone provides one in three HIV-positive people in Africa with antiretrovirals. 
 
Pharmaceutical companies in India are, however, seeking to expand their market to wealthy nations &ndash; a move that could come at the expense of the world&rsquo;s poor. In addition, the change in India&rsquo;s patent laws has led many foreign drug firms to enter the market and target India&rsquo;s growing middle class. 
 
(Source: Web posting on <a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com">www.medicalnewstoday.com</a>, 10 January 2007, referring to a Christian Science Monitor article). 
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Global Fund Round 7 
 
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria will call for proposals for Round 7 on 1 March 2007. The deadline for submission of Round 7 proposals is set for 4 July 2007. Having learned from past experience, the Fund is encouraging early planning. A call for proposals for Round 8 will be issued on the same date in 2008. 
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ICEM Resource Guide on Website 
 
In the January issue of the e-bulletin, we reported on the African Regional Workshop on fundraising and project writing. One of the tools used at the workshop was the ICEM Guide on HIV/AIDS Resources and Funding. 
 
<a href="/wp-content/migration/icem/0701ICEMHIVAIDSGuideEN.pdf">The Guide is now available on the ICEM website</a>, in <a href="/wp-content/migration/icem/0701ICEMHIVAIDSGuideEN.pdf">English</a> and <a href="/wp-content/migration/icem/0701ICEMHIVAIDSGuideFR.pdf">French</a>. A Spanish translation is being prepared. 
 
The Guide takes account of the fact that funding resources are decentralised and largely accessible at the national level. The introductory part refers to small-scale funding from national AIDS commissions and resources from employers, especially companies with which the ICEM has signed Global Agreements. 
 
It gives fact-sheets on relevant intergovernmental organisations such as ILOAIDS, UNAIDS, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, WHO, and the World Bank and lists a number of foundations and other organisations engaged in the fight against HIV/AIDS. An annex explains in more detail the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, its structures and procedures.

ICEM HIV/AIDS e-bulletin - No. 17

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Global Labour University, supported by the ILO and by Germany&rsquo;s Hans Boeckler Foundation and Friedrich Ebert Foundation, is offering a pair of Master Programme labour courses in 2007. The courses take place at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa, and at Germany&rsquo;s University of Kassel and the Berlin School of Economics. 
 
&ldquo;Labour Policies and Globalisation&rdquo; (Germany) and &ldquo;Labour and Development, Economic Policy, Globalisation and Labour&rdquo; (South Africa) are the titles of courses. Registration submissions can be found at <a href="http://www.global-labour-university.org">www.global-labour-university.org</a>. 
 
Deadline for application to the course in Germany is 1 April 2007. Deadline for the South African portion of this programme is 1 October 2007. 
 
The language of the courses is English, and the curriculum consists of issues relating to sustainable development, social justice, and international labour standards; and trade unions, economic policies, and global institutions. Successful applicants also have the possibility to study one term of the programme in South Africa and one term in Germany. 
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The curriculum is jointly developed by universities and trade unions from around the world and is aimed at those students who have experience with labour and social movements, and who are willing to assist organisations in these fields to engage more effectively in social dialogue, public debate, and policy implementation. 
Women are strongly encouraged to participate. Applicants should, as a rule, not be older than 40 years of age. 
 
A limited number of scholarships are available. An endorsement by a trade union is a requirement for a scholarship. The scholarship is conditional on a contribution of &euro;1,500 from the supporting trade union, or another donor. Please consult the website above for further information. More information can be also found here, in <a href="/wp-content/migration/icem/0701GLU2007EN.pdf ">English</a>, <a href="/wp-content/migration/icem/0701GLU2007FR.pdf ">French</a>, <a href="/wp-content/migration/icem/0701GLU2007SP.pdf ">Spanish</a>.

Global Labour University Offering 2007 Courses in Germany and South Africa

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Two union networks of Brazilian chemical workers met recently. Union leaders of Brazilian federations of Akzo Nobel are meeting today and tomorrow, 29-30 January, in S&atilde;o Paulo. And workplace leaders from three of DuPont&rsquo;s major manufacturing sites in Brazil met in the same city on 24 January for a planning meeting. 
 
The Akzo Nobel meeting represented the fourth time trade unionists convened. On tomorrow&rsquo;s agenda, managers have been invited for discussions. The talks will centre on the Dutch-based company&rsquo;s corporate social responsibility plan. Trade unionists from Akzo Nobel&rsquo;s multiple S&atilde;o Paulo worksites are attending, including the Itupeva and Reposa Taveres sites, and from the company&rsquo;s Tintas Division. 
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The Brazilian DuPont network meeting saw 12 participants attend from three DuPont sites, including the chemicals plant at Guarulhos near S&atilde;o Paulo, the Barra Mansa worksite in Rio de Janeiro, and a chemicals facility in northern Bahai State. The network is planning further meetings for 18-19 April, at which time Brazilian management of DuPont will be invited. 
 
Chemical union leaders from two Brazilian national centres were represented, Central &Uacute;nica dos Trabalhadores (CUT) and For&ccedil;a Sindical (FS).

Brazilian Union Networks for DuPont, Akzo Nobel Meet

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ExxonMobil is not going to escape the fact that it has to answer for Indonesian human rights crimes occurring in the 1990s. That decision came from a US Appeals Court on 17 January, after the world&rsquo;s biggest energy company attempted to dismiss a lawsuit brought by 11 Indonesian citizens. 
 
The alleged crimes came when Mobil was opening the Arun gas fields in joint development with the Suharto government. At the time, Suharto&rsquo;s regime was deploying brutal methods to put down a separatist movement in the Aceh region on the northern tip of the Sumatra Island. 
 
The lawsuit contends that Suharto agreed to provide army troops during the development, and that Mobil provided logistical and material support to the troops. Troops used the company&rsquo;s facilities and equipment to &ldquo;interrogate, torture and murder Acehnese civilians suspected of engaging in separatist activities,&rdquo; the lawsuit states. Following Suharto&rsquo;s forced leave from office, independent investigation teams did find several mass graves connected with the human rights atrocities. 
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The lawsuit is legitimate in US courts because of the Alien Tort Claims Act, a 216-year-old American statute that allows persons from other countries to hold accountable, either American citizens or US-based corporations, when violations of international law are committed outside of the US. 
 
ExxonMobil filed a review of the case in the US Circuit Court of Appeals for Washington, after a US Federal District Court denied a prior request for dismissal. 
 
This American court case has special significance inside Indonesia. Under a negotiated autonomy agreement implemented last year for Aceh, the Indonesian government has pledged to establish a special court by July 2007 to hear the thousands of human rights cases that have been pending after 30 years of regional strife on Sumatra.

ExxonMobil in Dock for Indonesian Human Rights Crimes

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Total said it will, between 2006 and 2012, close down several production lines at two different petrochemical sites in France: the TotalPetroChemicals Carling plant in the Lorraine region and the Gonfreville site in Normandy. This announcement by the company, which will result in the loss of another 300 jobs, comes only three months after the Arkema spin off, which already led to a serious reduction in the number of jobs at Total. 
 
In a press communiqu&eacute;, ICEM affiliated FCE-CFDT called the restructuring exercise &ldquo;purely defensive.&rdquo; The company will take a &euro;300 million charge to end the production of Styrene - a colourless toxic liquid used to make, among other products, polymers and rubber - at Carling, with a partial transfer of production to the Gonfreville site. Another &euro;80 million charge on the company&rsquo;s books will go towards a better exchange of products between the two sites. 
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Not only does the union find it difficult to see the economic logic of the plan, it also warns against the environmental dangers for both workers and general public, as Total will have to start traversing France by train to get extra benzene and styrene from one plant to another. 
 
The union calls for an independent expert to look into the social and environmental risks. It will also approach the industry minister to present an alternative industrial project.

Total Announces It Will Do Away with another 300 Jobs in France

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French ICEM affiliate CGT Verre et C&eacute;ramique calls for a day of action on 9 October, following the withdrawal by MEDEF, the French employers&rsquo; association, from the &lsquo;hazardous jobs&rsquo; dialogue in the glass and ceramics sector. 
 
A 2003 French law calls for negotiations on the recognition of &lsquo;hazardous jobs&rsquo; to be finished by 31 December 2006. Ongoing negotiations between unions and employers so far have not yielded results. Worse still, MEDEF has now decided to leave the bargaining table, stating it will push back the whole effort until after the elections of 2007. According to the CGT, this is clearly an attempt to postpone discussions indefinitely, and therefore unacceptable. 
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The CGT Verre et C&eacute;ramique wants to keep the early retirement age at 55 and considers the recognition of &lsquo;hazardous jobs&rsquo; in the glass and ceramics industries to be one of its priorities. Several studies have indicated a critical reduction in workers&rsquo; life expectancies when operating in hazardous environments. 
 
The CGT calls upon its members to organise, together with the other professional Federations of the CGT, as well as with other unions in France, actions necessary on 9 October, ranging from petitions to strikes.

‘Hazardous Jobs’ Action Day in the French Glass and Ceramics Sector

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Some 7,000 demonstrators marched through Paris on 12 September, with many more demonstrating in other cities throughout France, all responding to a joint call for action by French unions CGT, FO, CGC, and CFTC. 
 
The manifestations, held to protest the government sponsored merger between state-owned Gaz de France (GDF) and privately-held Suez, came a week after the CGT and FO unions held a referendum among workers at GDF. The referendum, at which 60% of all 53,000 GDF workers took part, showed a very clear hostility towards the merger plans, with 94% voting against the privatisation idea. 
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The State of France currently holds an 80% stake in GdF, with a current law setting a minimum of 70%. The merger would automatically reduce the state&rsquo;s stake in GDF to about 34%. 
 
Whereas CGT, FO, CGC, and CFTC would prefer closer cooperation between Electricit&eacute; de France (EDF) and GDF, the FCE-CFDT union forwarded its own proposal to the government on 13 September. Equally opposed to the privatisation of GDF, FCE-CFDT sees possible advantages in developing partnerships between Suez and GDF. The union&rsquo;s increased cooperation project would, however, keep GDF in the public sector. 
 
The French government finds itself more and more isolated, with an increasing number of individuals and organisations joining the anti-privatisation call. French Labour representatives, currently in opposition, are also fiercely contesting the privatisation plan at the special parliamentary session on the subject.

Protests in France against Gaz de France – Suez Merger

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE JOINT NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEC) MEETING OF THE PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS SENIOR STAFF ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (PENGASSAN) AND THE NATIONAL UNION OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS WORKERS (NUPENG) AT ROYAL MARBLE HOTEL BENIN CITY AUGUST 30, 2006. 
The Joint National Executive Council (NEC) of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) met on Wednesday August 30, 2006 in Royal Marble Hotel, Benin City. After an exhaustive deliberation on major national, industry, labour and industrial relations issues, the Joint NEC-in-Session resolves as follows: 
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VIOLENT DIMENSION TO THE NIGER DELTA CRISIS 
 
The Joint NEC-in-Session frowns at the heightening and unabating spate of abduction, hostage-taking and violent attacks in the Niger Delta by restive youths under banner of continued deprivation and neglects of the area by successive governments. 
 
The Joint NEC notes with dismay and apprehension that the genuine agitation of the Niger Delta people has been criminalised, and made an avenue for ransom seeking activities, and disruption of economic life and welfare of the people in the region. 
 
The Joint NEC-in-Session notes with concern the incessant abduction of expatriate workers even from night-clubs in the center of the township which has now resulted in most firms threatening to pull out of the Niger Delta &ndash; a situation that will compound employment problems, increase crime rate and compromise the much sought investment drive to the Niger Delta in particular and Nigeria in general. 
 
The Joint Meeting regrets that government&rsquo;s poor response has not helped matters leading to deepening insecurity in the region as the nation continues to witness more abduction of oil workers, hostage-taking and overrunning of oil installations and pollution of the environment in the region. 
 
The Meeting notes the hypocritical and non-challant attitude of the Niger Delta State Governments and their apparatus in the deteriorating state of insecurity and criminality which now pervades the entire region. 
 
The Joint NEC-in-Session views in very strong terms and with heavy heart that apathy on the part of government in dealing decisively with the Niger Delta agitations which has resulted in the killing of Comrade Nelson Ujeya &ndash; a grievous fratricidal sacrifice that arose from applying a negative approach to a genuine cause and concerted vanguard for justice in Niger Delta Region. 
 
The Joint NEC-in-Session is appalled that our communities in the Niger Delta known for hospitality and communal discipline have now lent their once peaceful domains for criminal activities and lawlessness 
 
 
VIOLATION OF DUE PROCES ON THE SALE OF ELEME PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED (EPCL) 
 
The Joint NEC-in-Session expresses shock on the flagrant abuse and manipulation of the Memorandum of Understanding reached with the stakeholders on the sale and equity participation of Core Investor and Government at 51% : 49% which without consultation was reversed to 75% : 25% respectively. 
 
The Meeting noted that due diligence was not conducted on the Core Investor &ndash; Indorama Company which was why a Company that was registered in Thailand in 2003 was allowed to bid for a company of the magnitude of EPCL for a ridiculous offer of $225 million for an asset of $1.8 billion. 
 
Consequently, Joint NEC-in-Session demands that the sale of EPCL should be repudiated and Indorama should be made to forfeit all payments fraudulently made in this regard. 
 
 
STATE OF REFINERIES/PIPELINE VANDALISATION 
 
The Joint NEC-in-Session notes with regrets the adverse effect of pipeline vandalisation on the flow of crude and petroleum products to our Refineries and depots all over the Federation which had affected supply and distribution of petroleum products. 
 
The Meeting expresses displeasure on Government&rsquo;s reluctance to secure and maintain the pipelines, thereby abdicating its responsibility to other stakeholders in the industry. 
 
The Meeting believes that the current posture of Government in this respect negates the essence of Deregulation Policy to localise the production of petroleum products. 
 
The Meeting vehemently condemns the massive importation of refined petroleum products instead of emphasizing on local refining. 
 
The Meeting notes that the Refineries now serve as conduit for transportation and sale of imported petroleum products. 
 
 
PURPORTED CONVERSION OF PETROLEUM TRAINING INSTITUTE (PTI) TO A CAMPUS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN 
 
The Joint NEC-in-Session frowns at the violation of the Extant Act that established the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) to provide middle level manpower to the Oil and Gas Industry. 
 
The Meeting notes the current move to rather affiliate the Institute to UNIBEN instead of providing it with adequate funding, staffing, and equipment to meet the manpower demand of the Industry. 
 
The Meeting calls on Government to retain the current status of PTI as an autonomous specialised Institute and should upgrade it to International Standard as enshrined in the Act that established it. 
 
 
ENABLING ACT FOR DEPARTMENT OF PETROLEUM RESOURCES (DPR) AS AN AUTONOMOUS PETROLEUM INSPECTORATE COMMISSION 
 
The Joint NEC-in-Session hereby calls on Government to urgently grant autonomy to the Department of Petroleum Resources to enable it play its role effectively as Oil and Gas Industry Regulator. 
 
 
RESOLUTION: 
 
From the foregoing therefore, the Joint NEC-in-Session hereby resolves that it can no longer fold its hands and watch the viable industry in Nigeria slide into a state of anomie. 
 
Consequently, the Joint NEC-in-Session henceforth agrees to undertake the following measures to protect its members&rsquo; interest as follows: 
 
1. The Joint NEC-in-Session directs that with effect from Wednesday 13th September 2006, all members of NUPENG and PENGASSAN should embark on a 3-day Warning Strike. 
 
2. The Joint NEC-in-Session agrees that if after the 3-day Warning Strike, Government fails to address the issues raised in this Communique and provide a peaceful and safe environment in the Niger Delta and other parts of the country for Oil Workers in particular and Nigerians in general to go about their lawful duties, NUPENG and PENGASSAN will have no other option but to withdraw their services indefinitely.

NUPENGASSAN Communiqué

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At a parliamentary session of South Korea&rsquo;s National Assembly last week, the government, along with the ruling Uri Party, vowed that approval of the so-called irregular workers&rsquo; bill will be a priority. The measure was temporarily stopped in the Assembly by procedural manoeuvres last April by the Democratic Labor Party and the Grand National Party. 
 
The legislation, on the government&rsquo;s agenda now for two years, would grant all temporary workers permanent status after two years. But the bill is opposed by South Korea&rsquo;s two labour federations because the necessary safeguards and protections do not exist in the proposed legislation. The bill would create a massive pool of temporary workers for the benefit of businesses. Both the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) say the bill does nothing to defend the basic rights of contract and agency workers and, as it now stands, threatens permanent jobs with a flood of two-year temporary jobs. 
 
The KCTU withdrew from South Korea&rsquo;s Tripartite Commission over workplace governance issues last April because of the irregular workers&rsquo; bill. The federation has since re-joined the official state commission, which has conducted social discussions lately on the legislation. The Tripartite Commission also has on its agenda some 40 other labour reform measures, including a single negotiations vehicle for multi-union workplaces and cutting company salaries to trade union leaders. 
<img height="145" src="" width="102" alt="" />
The government and Uri Party leaders say they will push ahead with the reform measures even if agreement is not reached in the Tripartite Commission. 
 
Leaders of both KCTU and FKTU met with ILO Director-General Juan Somavia on 26 August in Seoul on the irregular workers&rsquo; bill and other contentious labour problems. The federations are seeking ILO support to help resolve the issues fairly. The occasion for the meeting with Somavia was the ILO&rsquo;s Asian Regional Meeting, which was held last week in Busan, South Korea&rsquo;s largest port city.

South Korea’s Irregular Workers’ Bill Again Before Parliament

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In New Zealand, protest and resistance became the formula to beat back a piece of proposed legislation that would have made it easy for employers to hire and then sack temporary workers during their first 90 days of employment. Last week, on 23 August, just as 5,000 trade unionists assembled in Auckland&rsquo;s Aotea Square to protest the National Party&rsquo;s anti-worker bill, Members of Parliament from the Maori Party announced they were shifting course and would not support the measure. 
 
For the past three months, trade unionists of ICEM affiliates Engineering, Printing &amp; Manufacturing Union (EPMU) and the National Distribution Union (NDU), have been leading the opposition against the business-friendly proposal under the banner &ldquo;Work Rights &hellip;Our Right!&rdquo; The campaign generated mass support among New Zealanders. 
<img height="193" alt="" src="" width="290" />
The bill had cleared a first reading in Parliament earlier this year with a 63-58 vote, with three of the four Maori MPs supporting the measure. With those four votes now opposing the measure, the ruling Labour Party, Green Party and Maoris now have the leverage to stop the anti-worker bill during a second reading. 
 
Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples said the minority Maori people, with an 18% jobless rate, have too many low-end jobs on the employment ladder. &ldquo;So, it&rsquo;s really important that, one, Maori get employed, and two, that Maori are protected,&rdquo; Sharples said. &ldquo;The bill was solely to encourage employers to employ like hell in the knowledge that they could get rid of their workers if it didn&rsquo;t work out.&rdquo; 
<img height="193" alt="" src="" width="290" />
EPMU National Secretary Andrew Little rejoiced with the workers&rsquo; victory. &ldquo;This bill has been beaten by workers acting together through their unions. It just goes to show the power of collective action.&rdquo; 
 
Little added, &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve done more than just defeat this vicious piece of legislation. We&rsquo;ve demonstrated our strength as a movement and we&rsquo;ve made it clear to the National Party that &lsquo;Work Rights are Our Rights,&rsquo; and that they are not up for negotiation.&rdquo; Trade unions will now ask MPs of the NZ First and United Future Parties to examine their working-class priorities in order to stop any future reappearance of the National party bill. 
 
The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions estimates that, had the bill gone into law, a class of disposable workers numbering 300,000 would have been at risk of losing their jobs in each 90-day period.

New Zealand’s Trade Unions Block 90-day Temporary Workers Bill

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