English

Español

Français

Русский

Aerospace

Automotive

Base metals

Chemical, pharmaceutical and bio-science

Energy

Glass, cement, ceramic and associated industries

ICT, electrical and electronics

Mechanical Engineering

Mining and DGOJP

Pulp and paper

Rubber

Shipbuilding and shipbreaking

Textile, garment, shoes, leather and textile services

Sectors

Action on textile and garment industry

Clean up shipbreaking

Ratify ILO C176

United for a just future - time to pay up!

Disinvest from Myanmar

Action Plan 2021-2025

Global Framework Agreements

Union building

Women

Youth

White-collar workers

Health & safety

Industry 4.0

Just Transition

Organizing with industriALL

What we do

Affiliates

Statutes

Elected Officials

Executive Committee

Geneva head office

South East Asia

Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus

Latin America and the Caribbean

Middle East and North Africa

South Asia

Regional offices

About us

Global worker No1 2022

Global worker No2 2022

Publications

Resources

Press

The links below are only a small selection of the wide range of websites of organisations which are engaged in the fight against the pandemic. For more details on these organisations and further information on resources and funding you can refer to the <a href="/wp-content/migration/icem/0701ICEMHIVAIDSGuideEN.pdf">ICEM Guide on HIV/AIDS Resources and Funding</a> which is available on this website. 
 
International Labour Organisation - ILO 
 
<a href="http://www.ilo.org">www.ilo.org</a> 
 
ILO Programme on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work (ILO/AIDS) 
 
HIV/AIDS is a workplace issue because it affects workers and their families, enterprises and communities which depend on them. At the same time, the workplace has a vital role to play in the wider struggle to control the epidemic. Workplace programmes support prevention, expand access to care and treatment and promote non-discrimination. 
 
The key document is the <a href="http://www.ilo.org/aids/Publications/lang--en/docName--WCMS_113783/index.htm">ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and the world of work</a>, which was adopted by the ILO Governing Body in June 2001. The Code exists in some 50 languages. The 10 key principles of the Code are essential elements of any HIV/AIDS workplace policy. For training purposes the publication Implementing the ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS: an education and training manual (also available as CD-Rom) was developed. The manual exists in English, French and Spanish. 
 
ILOAIDS has published leaflets, toolkits and posters, which serve as useful education materials. ILO field offices, some with a focal point on HIV/AIDS, in your country or region can help with material and identifying resources and extend technical assistance for training. 
 
The International Labour Conference, at its 99th meeting in June 2010, adopted <a href="http://www.ilo.org/ilc/ILCSessions/99thSession/texts/lang--en/docName--WCMS_142613/index.htm">Recommendation 200</a> concerning HIV and AIDS and the World. This new Recommendation is a strong international human rights instrument to deal with all aspects of HIV and AIDS with special reference to the workplace. The Recommendation is accompanied by a Resolution for its follow-up, promotion and implementation. The ILO Governing Body, at its 310th session in March 2011, adopted a <a href="http://www.ilo.org/gb/GBSessions/lang--en/docName--WCMS_151293/index.htm">Global Action Plan</a> to promote implementation of <a href="http://www.ilo.org/ilc/ILCSessions/99thSession/texts/lang--en/docName--WCMS_142613/index.htm">Recommendation 200</a>. 
 
 
UNAIDS 
 
<a href="http://www.unaids.org">www.unaids.org</a> 
 
UNAIDS &ndash; Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS brings together the efforts and resources of ten UN system organisations (co-sponsors). UNAIDS, which was launched in 1996, is the main advocate for global action on the epidemic. 
 
UNAIDS publishes an extensive range of materials on HIV/AIDS. The AIDS Epidemic Updates (jointly with the WHO) are published annually in December. In September 2006, UNAIDS published in its Best Practice Collection &ldquo;Global Reach: how trade unions are responding to AIDS&rdquo; with case studies of union action. In his foreword to the publication, Peter Piot, the then Executive Director of UNAIDS, recognises the vast potential of unions to fight the pandemic at the workplace and in communities. 
 
You can access information on individual countries and find out about the UN Theme Group and UNAIDS Coordinator in your country on the website. 
 
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria 
 
<a href="http://www.theglobalfund.org">www.theglobalfund.org</a> 
 
The objective of the Global Fund is to dramatically increase resources to fight three of the most devastating diseases and to direct resources to areas of greatest need. The Fund is a partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and affected communities. 
 
The Global Fund is a funding organisation that defers to local ownership and capacity for the design and implementation of programmes. Proposals are submitted through a national Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM). The Fund only has an office in Geneva; it does not operate field offices. Principal recipients in a country implement the projects. 
 
Calls for proposals are made at regular intervalls. Since the Global Fund was registered in January 2002, and up to December 2009, it has committed USD 19.3 billion in 144 countries. On the website of the Global Fund you can access details of the grants made to your country. 
 
In a letter of agreement signed with the ILO in April 2003, the great potential of workplace initiatives with the involvement of workers&rsquo; and employers&rsquo; organisations is stressed. 
 
World Health Organisation &ndash; WHO 
 
<a href="http://www.who.int">www.who.int</a> 
 
The WHO serves as the agency within the UN system for HIV/AIDS treatment, care and support. It has a wide range of publications, including useful guidelines on testing and counselling and on antiretroviral treatment. 
 
The conclusions of a meeting between Global Unions and the WHO in October 2005 specifically state that unions have unique comparative advantage to mobilise their constituencies in the fight against HIV/AIDS and calls on country representatives to support unions. 
 
The WHO operates a large number of country offices, most of them with HIV/AIDS specialists. 
 
Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the World Economic Forum 
<a href="http://www.businessfightsaids.org">www.businessfightsaids.org</a> and <a href="http://www.weforum.org">www.weforum.org</a> 

The Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria leads the fight against the three diseases by companies. It serves as the focal point for the private sector at the Global Fund. The World Economic Forum launched its Global Health Initiative in 2001. You can find case studies on the HIV/AIDS policies and activities of your company on these websites. 
 
ACCA (AIDS Control in Companies in Africa) 
 
<a href="http://www.gtz.de">www.gtz.de</a> and <a href="http://www.acca-toolbox.org">www.acca-toolbox.org</a> 
 
The website of the German GTZ gives information on workplace interventions. The ACCA (AIDS Control in Companies in Africa) Toolbox is a collection of information and implementation tools for workplace interventions against HIV/AIDS. GTZ also operates the BACKUP Initiative which provides needs-oriented support to improve coordination, access and implementation of programmes financed through global funding mechanisms such as the Global Fund and the World Bank&rsquo;s Multi-country Aids Program (MAP). 
 
World AIDS Campaign 
 
<a href="http://www.worldaidscampaign.org">www.worldaidscampaign.org</a> 
 
The Global Unions work closely with the World AIDS Campaign and signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2005. Among others, WAC has mounted a worldwide campaign to fulfil the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS adopted by the UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS in June 2001. It is also the leading international NGO to organise campaigns on World AIDS Day, 1 December every year. 
 
Global Unions 
 
<a href="http://www.global-unions.org/hiv-aids">www.global-unions.org/hiv-aids</a> 
 
The Global Unions have a joint programme to fight HIV/AIDS. The programme&rsquo;s objectives are to mainstream HIV/AIDS as a priority for trade unions, to help unions to take action in their organisations and at the workplace, to develop partnerships with relevant organisations at all levels and to mobilise resources. 
 
The Education International (EI) &ndash; <a href="http://www.ei-ie.org/efaids">www.ei-ie.org/efaids</a> and the International Transport Workers&rsquo; Federation (ITF) &ndash; <a href="http://www.itfglobal.org">www.itfglobal.org</a> have developed extensive HIV/AIDS programmes and materials for their respective sectors.

ICEM Overview of Links to Useful HIV/AIDS Related Websites

Rio de Janeiro, 
April 12th, 2002 
 
Statement by ICEM Latin America and the Caribbean condemning the coup in Venezuela 

1. The International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers&rsquo; Union in Latin America and the Caribbean vehemently condemns the coup perpetrated in the early morning of April 12th 2002 against the constitutional government of Venezuela. 
 
 
2. We call upon all our affiliates in Latin America and the Caribbean, especially those in the oil sector, to similarly condemn the forces that carried out the coup, and to close ranks in defence of the Rule of Law and of Human and Trade Union Rights. 
 
 
3. We urge international forums, the United Nations and the Organisation of American States to conduct an immediate investigation into reports of violations of Human Rights perpetrated by the putschist forces. 
 
 
4. Finally, we call upon governments whose countries are OAS members not to recognise the &ldquo;provisional government&rdquo;, but to testify to its unconstitutionality and to take an unequivocal stand in defence of the Rule of Law. 
 
 
Luiz Gonzaga Ulhoa Ten&oacute;rio 
Regional President

Statement by ICEM Latin America and the Caribbean on the coup in Venezuela

ICEM affiliate USWA, meanwhile, achieved a first collective agreement in the US for 130 Goodyear Tire &amp; Rubber workers in Statesville, North Carolina. Workers there chose USWA for representation last February through a newly instituted card-check/neutrality agreement signed between the union and US rubber-maker in 2003 negotiations. The first labour agreement for the 130 at the tyre mold plant means they will come under the network of job security provisions agreed to in those 2003 negotiations, including the company&rsquo;s commitment to utilize USWA members before reaching outside for contract labour. The USWA is still negotiating at two other Goodyear plants where workers chose union representation through the card-check, or showing of interest procedure spelled out in the 2003 labour agreement with Goodyear. Those plants are a steel tyre cord plant in Asheboro, North Carolina, employing 350 workers, and a Goodyear textile plant in Utica, New York, employing 160.

USWA Reaches Agreement with Goodyear at Newly-Organized Site

The United Steelworkers of America (USWA) and German-based Continental Tire are in disagreement over severance and health care benefits for 700 workers about to be sacked due to a plant closing in Mayfield, Kentucky. The company announced earlier this year it was discontinuing manufacture of auto and light truck tyres effective 31 December 2004 in Mayfield. The USWA on 17 September submitted a US$20 million costs-savings proposal to Continental, but the company rejected it, stating investment and lower-cost tyre production from Brazil, Mexico and China is the firm&rsquo;s priority. Continental will maintain warehousing and a mixing unit in Mayfield, employing only 200 workers.

USWA Takes Issue with Continental Tire’s US Plant Closing

The long, bitter dispute between ICEM US affiliate PACE and Continental Carbon is over. After a three-and-a-half-year lockout by the Taiwanese-based firm of 86 workers who make carbon black for the rubber industry in Ponca City, Oklahoma, PACE members ratified a new labour agreement this weekend that includes a satisfactory back-to-work agreement.

US Affiliate PACE, Taiwanese Continental Carbon Reach Terms

FCE-CFDT also announced the draft of a social responsibility agreement with Electricit&eacute; de France (EdF), discussions which have involved the ICEM. Besides standard language upholding health and safety standards, social conditions and consistent policies on worker training and mobility, the draft contains commitments by EdF to provide access to electricity to those least able to afford it, careful and demanding selection of contractors, and stringent defence of the environment with the necessary equipment to promote energy efficiency.

French EdF Signs Social Responsibility Pact in Electric Sector

French union and ICEM affiliate FCE-CFDT has all along suspected that the August 2004 takeover by Aventis of Sanofi-Synthelabo creating Sanofi- Aventis, the world&rsquo;s third largest pharmaceutical maker, would have dire consequences on employment. The French union did not have to wait long for proof. In order to meet its goal for shedding &euro;1.6 billion in operating costs by 2006, the merged firm&rsquo;s first attack on workers will make redundant 431 pharmaceutical sales representatives and support staff, close Aventis&rsquo;s Strasbourg headquarters idling 230 workers, and the spin-off of Research and Development of infectious diseases will cost even more jobs. FCE-CFDT says the company&rsquo;s selective approach to early retirement is wrong, and the French company must negotiate with the union on age-related and across-the-board early-out packages.

Chemicals Merger Between Aventis and Sanofi Will Cost Jobs

Members of ICEM affiliate BMWU took to the streets in Selebi-Phikwe, Botswana, 3 December over another mining dispute. This one is with Bamangwato Concession Ltd. (BCL), a copper, nickel and cobalt miner in eastern Botswana that sacked the entire 16-member bargaining committee of the BMWU branch last July following negotiations. 
The company sacked the union team because they possessed financial information on the firm&rsquo;s mining operations. Such information is generally considered essential for unions in bargaining. 
Although most of the branch leaders have been recalled, BCL still refuses to rehire four&mdash;bargaining chairman and Deputy BMWU National Chair Golekanye Mogende, Kabelo Oitsile, Abel Bukha and Kealeboga Keakantse. BMWU timed the mass protest in which 2,000 turned out with BCL&rsquo;s unveiling of a new company logo.

Copper, Nickel Dispute Now Concerning Botswana’s Miners

Union leaders at DeBeers&rsquo; operations in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa met in Cape Town the week of 22 November for a globalisation school, and concluded the week with strong support for workers victimized by Debswana, the joint venture between DeBeers and Botswana&rsquo;s government. At a Diamond Employees Network meeting on 27-28 November, the leaders pledged to work through individual DeBeers worksites in the three countries to urge the company to drop charges against 451 Debswana workers, members of the Botswana Mining Workers&rsquo; Union (BMWU) who participated in a strike last August.

Union Leaders from DeBeers Hold Conference

On the weekend prior to the ICEM, the ILO and a mining employers&rsquo; trade group signing a historic pact on mine safety and health 1 December with the Chinese State Administration of Work Safety, a Chinese labour union, and other Chinese industrial groups, the worst coal mine disaster in over four years occurred in China killing 166 miners. A gas explosion at the state-owned Chenjiashan mine in Shaanxi Province caused the 28 November catastrophe.

Worst Coal Mine Disaster in Four Years Occurs in China

Archive