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<img height="40" alt="" src="" width="100" />
Austrian trade union federation OeGB will hold a candle-lighting ceremony in front of its headquarters in Vienna on Friday, 27 April, to mark Workers&rsquo; Memorial Day. OeGB President Rudolf Hundstorfer will also speak at this public event. 
<img height="78" src="" width="199" alt="" />
Hundstorfer's speech will mark the start of the federation's drive to have the 28 April day recognised by the government of Austria as the official International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers. The federation has urged its member unions across Austria to conduct similar public events, and is encouraging trade unionists to mark the day with candle-lighting ceremonies inside their workplaces.

Austria: National Centre OeGB to Conduct Commemorative Event on 27 April

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For Workers&rsquo; Memorial Day 2007, the ICEM has adopted a campaign encouraging affiliates to sign on to the global trade union lobby for a high-level G8 Working Group on HIV/AIDS as a major part of its comprehensive programme to combat the global pandemic. 
 
The ICEM has urged its affiliates to send letters to the German embassy, or a German consulate in their home countries, requesting creation of such a high-level commission. Germany is host to the G8 Summit this year. 
 
The ICEM strongly believes that such a Working Group is needed to guarantee there is progress on prior G8 commitments to achieve universal access to HIV/AIDS drugs, treatments, and care by 2010, and to escalate development of a vaccine to prevent HIV infection. ICEM believes that a more sustained political commitment and commitment of resources by the world's richest nations must occur to reverse this deadly pandemic plaguing workers in the developing world. 
<img height="86" src="" width="100" alt="" />
The letter for creation of such a high-level Working Group states: &quot;The UN Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, signed by the G8 and other countries, promised a dedicated focus on HIV/AIDS. In so doing, countries agreed to time-bound commitments for ensuing progress to address the most serious global health threat known to our civilization. 
 
&quot;We therefore call upon the government of Germany, as the host of the next G8, to support our call for the fulfilment of these and other G8 commitments on HIV/AIDS. We are not suggesting that a new bureaucracy by created, but that a Working Group of experts of the G8 be set-up and that it be supported by the technical support of existing bodies such as UNAIDS and its co-sponsors.&quot; 
 
The ICEM has launched several HIV/AIDS projects in recent years to address the negative work aspects of the pandemic. ICEM also sponsors projects to provide training for national coordinators in Africa so they can educate workers on HIV/AIDS and the necessity of testing. Such projects will in the future be extended to Latin America and Asia.

ICEM&#039;s 28 April Priority: Lobby G8 Summit for Creation of High-Level Working Group on HIV/AIDS

We, the 50 delegates from 12 countries representing trade unions with members employed by Goodyear Tire &amp; Rubber Company, are gathered here as part of our unions&rsquo; ongoing commitment to achieve justice for workers at Goodyear worldwide. 
 
The Goodyear Global Union Network was established at a meeting in Cleveland, Ohio in March 1999 for the mutual defense and advancement of Goodyear workers everywhere. Since that time, the Network has played an important role in bringing Goodyear workers and the unions that represent them closer together. 
 
Goodyear Tire &amp; Rubber Company has in recent years continued to expand and globalize its operations. This transnational corporation produced 2006 net sales of approximately US$20 billion and manufactures products in 28 countries. 
 
Given Goodyear&rsquo;s increasing size and global scope, it is important that unions participating in the Goodyear Global Union Network recommit their efforts to secure and promote the rights for all workers worldwide at Goodyear. As part of those efforts, we pledge to increase the effective functioning of the Network steering committee and to expand and improve Network communications. 
 
Having reviewed our recent activities and collaboration, we examined Goodyear current status and future strategies. Every participating union provided detailed overviews of the current economic climate in their homeland and the working conditions at their particular Goodyear facility(ies). 
 
A particular attention was given to a global agreement with Goodyear management, beginning immediately with Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental issues. 
 
Structurally the meeting procedurally modified the rules that govern the coordinated activities of the Network. A new Steering Committee was selected and will be headed by USW International Vice-President Tom Conway. 
 
Among the situations examined was the long-standing problem in Thailand where many workers are denied collective bargaining rights and union activists are routinely dismissed. Anan Phonung, the elected union president detailed these situations as well as the very questionable circumstances that led to his firing. The Network strongly voiced its support of Phonung and called for his being properly restored to his position at the plant. 
 
Other actions by the Network included recognition of three recently deceased members of the Goodyear Network. They are George Becker, former USW International President and Founder of the Goodyear Global Network, Dick Davis, former USW International Vice-President and first Chairman of the Steering Committee, and Bernard Kleiman, former USW General Counsel and Special Advisor to the Goodyear Global Network. 
 
An extensive discussion of the recent negotiations in the U.S. and Canada was conducted and the Solidarity of the membership in both countries was applauded for enduring an 86-day strike and winning new contracts. 
 
The Network discussed upcoming negotiations in different countries such as South Africa and Turkey and issued statements of strong support and Solidarity.

March 19 – 20, 2007 in Akron, Ohio, USA

Statement of the Goodyear Global Union Network

PREAMBLE 
 
In this era of globalization, there is an undeniable need for unions to build alliances across the borders with each other to better protect workers from the escalating aggressions of corporate transnationals. 
This is especially so for unions with members employed at Goodyear Tire &amp; Rubber Co., which operates in many countries around the world and is one of the world`s largest tire manufacturer. For the workers` and their unions` mutual defence and advancement, it is needed to share information and experiences and unite each other for common goals. 
It is affirmed the age-old labour movement adage that &ldquo;an injury, to one of us is an injury to all of us&rdquo; and pledge our unions` full support to help other Goodyear unions in need of our solidarity. 
 
To carry out this mission it is committed to create the ICEM Global Network of Goodyear Unions. The global network will be the means to carry out communications and solidarity efforts on behalf of the networks&rsquo; member unions. 
 
The network shall operate as follows: 
 
A - MEMBERSHIP OF NETWORK 
 
1. All democratic unions with members employed at Goodyear shall be entitled to participate in the network. All network participants are strongly encouraged to affiliate to the ICEM. 
 
B - STEERING COMMITTEE COMPOSITION AND FUNCTIONING 
 
2. The Network shall have a Steering Committee, which will guide the work of the network. The Steering Committee shall consist of one representative from each of the following regions : 
 
a. Africa 
b. Asia and Pacific 
c. Europe 
d. Latin America and Caribbean 
e. North America 
 
In the event that Goodyear expands to other regions, the Steering Committee can and should be expanded to include those regions. 
 
3. Steering Committee members shall be chosen at the Network Meeting by the respective regional sub-groups from the unions which are affiliates in good standing of the ICEM. 
 
4. The North American regional representative shall serve as chairperson of the Steering Committee and the Network. 
 
5. S/he shall convene steering committee meetings on an as-needed bases, but not less than biannually. Meetings will be primarily held by tele-conference. 
 
6. The Steering Committee shall also include as an ex-officio member a designated person from the ICEM Secretariat, who shall assist in staffing the network 
 
7. Steering Committee members shall serve until the next meeting of the Network, at any rate no longer than a period of 4 years. 
 
8. In case that a Steering Committee position becomes vacant, a replacement for that region will be selected by mutual agreement of unions participating in the network in that region. 
 
C - DUTIES OF STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS 
 
9. Steering Committee members shall commit to consulting with the other unions in their respective regions and reporting back to them about the work of the steering committee between the meetings, and activating unions in their region when there is a need for action. Steering Committee members will help to organize participation in the Network activities within their respective regions. 
 
10. The Steering Committee shall also serve as a negotiating body in the event that negotiations at global level with Goodyear management are possible beginning immediately with Occupational Health, Safety and Environment. 
 
11. Steering Committee members shall gather information relevant to the Network in their respective regions and forward this information to the Network Chairperson. 
 
D - COLLECT, DISSEMINATE AND PUBLICIZE INFORMATION 
 
12. Goodyear Global Union Network shall strive to produce a Network Newsletter at least biannually. The Network Chairperson shall take a lead role in producing this newsletter. 
 
13. Goodyear Global Union Network shall explore other media instruments, including online communications tools to communicate the Network news to union members and other audiences. 
 
14. Goodyear Global Union Network shall establish a database of contacts to facilitate communication of network news and events. Steering Committee members shall work to build this database through gathering contact information for appropriate union representatives in their respective regions, and forwarding this contact information to the Network Chairperson. 
 
E - OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTICIPATING UNIONS 
 
15. Unions participating in the Network shall gather and communicate news pertaining to Goodyear and relevant to the Network to their regional Steering Committee member. 
 
16. Unions participating in the Network shall share Network news, including the Network Newsletter, to their members employed by Goodyear. 
 
17. Unions participating in the Network shall seek the full support and solidarity of their members in the Network activities, including support actions for the unions in disputes with Goodyear.

(Modified by the Goodyear Global Union Network Meeting held on March 19 – 20, 2007 in Akron, Ohio, USA)

Rules of the Goodyear Global Union Network

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FETIESC Women march at Itapema on 25 March for equality and dignity
<img height="31" alt="" src="" width="25" />
1. Australia &ndash; Professional Women Are Remaining Childless 
2. Brazil &ndash; Sao Paulo Electricity Workers Commemorate Women&rsquo;s Day 
3. Peru &ndash; Adoption of Equal Opportunities Law 
4. Russia &ndash; ILO/FNPR Seminar Held on Gender Audits in Russian Unions 
5. Senegal &ndash; Parliament Passes Bill on Gender Balance in the Legislature 
6. Spain &ndash; Guidelines are Proposed for Company Equality Plans 
7. Venezuela &ndash; New Law Defends Women&rsquo;s Rights 
8. Resources
<img height="31" alt="" src="" width="25" />
1. Australia &ndash; Professional Women Are Remaining Childless
A recent study by the Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists, and Managers of Australia found that many working women are not having children because it would be detrimental to their careers. 
 
A full 34% of women with children had not taken any maternity leave, and 26% more would not be paid for time they might take off. And more than half claimed that by taking time off, it would be detrimental to their careers. 
 
In addition, women are leaving their careers faster than men. Women cite the difficulty of balancing work and life, workplace culture and lack of senior job roles for them as being the most common obstacles they face in their career paths. 
 
In spite of the fact that there is a skills shortage in many areas, women are not able to fill the gap because of work-life difficulties. Moreover, women are still earning about 40% less than men for the same work. The OECD ranks Australia 45th out of 115 countries in terms of wage equality. 
 
This research shows that many women are still being forced to choose between children and a career. 
&nbsp;<img height="31" alt="" src="" width="25" />
2. Brazil &ndash; Sao Paulo Electricity Workers Commemorate Women&rsquo;s Day 
On 7 March, the Sao Paulo Electricity Workers celebrated International Women&rsquo;s Day with the slogan, &ldquo;Women and Agenda 21, a Commitment to a Better World.&rdquo; Agenda 21 was the commitment signed by 170 countries in the UN framework to promote sustainable development. 
 
The event stressed the importance of guaranteeing youth representation, both women and men, in labour and environmental fora, and youth representatives from the union in international bodies were present. 
 
Questions that concerned the conservation of the Amazon were also discussed at the meeting. It was said that women have a historic role to play in conservation and preservation of forests, biological diversity, and maintaining ecosystems. 
 
At the meeting, the Sao Paulo Electricity Workers endorsed the Manifest for the Protection of the Amazon, an initiative also promoted by many Brazilian artists. 
&nbsp;<img height="31" alt="" src="" width="25" />
3. Peru &ndash; Adoption of Equal Opportunities Law 
On 8 March, the Congress of Peru adopted the law on equal opportunities between women and men, after a number of debates in various areas. The law establishes public policies to guarantee the right to gender equality. 
 
It also guarantees the respect of the pluricultural and multilingual character of the Peruvian nation. The Executive is also called upon to carry out programmes to eliminate poverty and extreme marginalization. 
 
On 8 March, women in the three trade union national labour centres participated in a rally in Lima to demand effective policies to guarantee the real implementation of their rights. Article 7 of the law contains work-related guarantees such as the following: 
<ul>
 <li>
 <div>Guarantee of the right to productive work exercised in freedom, equity, security and human dignity; measures to avoid all kinds of work-related discrimination between women and men in access to employment, training, promotion, working conditions and the same pay for work of equal value. These guarantees also include protection against sexual harassment and the promotion of compatibility between family and work-related responsibilities. </div>
 </li>
 <li>
 <div>Guarantee of the protection of men and women workers in the informal economy, in urban and rural areas, in order to promote the formalization of the economy, as well as the protection of those who are in an unprotected and excluded situation. </div>
 </li>
 <li>
 <div>Guarantee of non-discriminatory treatment for men and women domestic workers. </div>
 </li>
 <li>
 <div>Recognition of reproductive work done at home and in the community to generate the conditions to improve the situation of those doing the work and to promote shared family responsibilities. </div>
 </li>
</ul>
Now the trade union centres are starting their work to ensure that the law is applied. 
&nbsp;<img height="31" alt="" src="" width="25" />
4. Russia &ndash; ILO/FNPR Seminar Held on Gender Audits in Russian Unions 
<img height="172" alt="" src="" width="230" /> 
 
ICEM women&rsquo;s chair Genia Esenina, front row, at left 
From 26-28 March FNPR, the Russian trade union central organisation, held a workshop together with the ILO on gender audits in Russian trade unions. A total of 23 participants and members of the gender equality commission were trained in the theory and methodology of gender audits in this first seminar, which served as the pilot project covering gender audits. 
&nbsp;<img height="31" alt="" src="" width="25" />
5. Senegal &ndash; Parliament Passes Bill on Gender Balance in the Legislature
On 27 March, the Senegalese Parliament adopted a bill that introduced gender parity on election lists that political parties present for elections on the basis of proportional representation. 
 
The passing of the bill will mean that more women will be elected to parliament in Senegal in the future. 
 
Religious leaders, however, were concerned that this bill was out of step with a Muslim country. 
 
The Minister of the Interior defended the legislation with the argument that women, as the majority in the country, should be adequately represented in Parliament. At present, 23 women old seats in Parliament out of a total of 120, and new women members are certain to be added at the next election because of this legislation. 
<img height="31" alt="" src="" width="25" />
6. Spain &ndash; Guidelines are Proposed for Company Equality Plans 
Ramon Parra from FITEQA CCOO has drafted the following guidelines for company equality plans in the wake of new legislation in Spain that requires companies to draw up such plans: 
 
1. Create a commission for real equality between women and men. 
 
2. The commission should be made up of the company and the signatory trade unions. 
 
3. This commission will do a diagnosis of the situation on the basis of all data that a company provides, which will always be broken down by sex: 
<blockquote dir="ltr">
&bull; Work site, fixed employees, casuals, type of contract; 
&bull; Departments; 
&bull; Work groups, seniority; 
&bull; Wages and salaries; 
&bull; Schedules, shifts (night), working time; 
&bull; Reductions in working time, flexibility; 
&bull; Leave time; 
&bull; Training, continuous, how much training per year; 
&bull; Content of risk assessment; 
&bull; Is the mutual society elected in consent with trade union consent?; 
&bull; Are there agreements with the mutual society for more benefits?; 
&bull; Are examinations extended with specific proof?; 
&bull; Are there suitable jobs for pregnant women? 
 
and also
</blockquote>
<ul>
 <li>
 <div align="justify">Composition of the Works Council; </div>
 </li>
 <li>Composition of the Health and Safety Committee; 
 Composition of the Environmental Protection Committee; </li>
 <li>Composition of the Equality Committee. 
 </li>
 <li>What sector does the company belong to? </li>
 <li>What agreement is applied? </li>
 <li>How many sites does it have? </li>
 <li>If it is a multinational, in what countries is it present? </li>
 <li>Does it have a committee to coordinate the different sites and how is it made up? </li>
 <li>Do trade unions participate? </li>
 <li>Do they meet regularly? </li>
 <li>Is there some plan or equality project? </li>
</ul>
A company must provide this data to the commission, and once it has studied it, the commission will define a work plan for each site to follow. Then, as a result, the objectives must be fixed to eliminate inequalities. 
 
For that purpose, deadlines, measures, and resources must be identified, both human and financial resources. 
 
On the basis of this diagnosis, the commission can decide what steps it needs to take and what advice it requires in order to establish measures, such as establishing a code of good practice, which, among other criteria, will explain the kinds of conduct and abuse that would be punishable, or even lead to dismissal in case of sexual harassment or sex discrimination. 
 
These are the two types of discrimination that violate the integrity of the person. The commission will ensure that these situations do not happen, and if they do, that they are punishable. 
<img height="31" alt="" src="" width="25" />
7. Venezuela &ndash; New Law Defends Women&rsquo;s Rights 
A recent law passed in Venezuela calls for jail terms from 6 to 18 months for those who offend, humiliate, or threaten women. The law, called the Law on Women&rsquo;s Right to a Life Free of Violence, punishes all those who attack women&rsquo;s emotional and psychological stability. 
 
The law also condemns to prison terms for 20 months those who harass, threaten, insult women, and establishes more severe punishments for lascivious acts, such as forced prostitution, sex slavery, and work-related violence. 
 
Thus, the protection of the dignity, physical, psychological, sexual integrity, property, and legal rights of women is established in public and private. 
&nbsp;<img height="31" alt="" src="" width="25" />
8. Resources
A toolkit has been published by EMCEF and EPSU on equal opportunities in the electricity sector in Europe, and is available at 
<a href="http://www.eurelectric.org/equalitydiversity">http://www.eurelectric.org/equalitydiversity</a>
The ILO has compiled links to ILO publications and sources for statistics and standards. It and can be found at 
<a href="http://www.ilo.org/public/spanish/support/lib/resource/subject/gender.htm">http://www.ilo.org/public/spanish/support/lib/ 
resource/subject/gender.htm</a> (in Spanish) 
 
The ILO has published trends in women&rsquo;s employment in 2007, and can be found at 
<a href="http://www.ilo.org/public/french/employment/strat/download/getw07.pdf">http://www.ilo.org/public/french/employment/ 
strat/download/getw07.pdf</a> (in French) 
 
The WHO has published a document on the relationship between gender and health and safety problems, which can be found at 
<a href="http://www.who.int/occupational_health/publications/genderwork/en/index.html">http://www.who.int/occupational_health/ 
publications/genderwork/en/index.html</a> 
 
The Social Watch Gender Equity Index has been published, and can be found at 
<a href="http://www.socialwatch.org/en/avancesyRetrocesos/IEG/index.htm">http://www.socialwatch.org/en/avancesyRetrocesos/ 
IEG/index.htm</a>
The European Union has published a report on Equality and non-discrimination in the framework of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All. 
<a href="http://web20.s112.typo3server.com/fileadmin/pdfs/Reports/Annual_Reports_2006/annualrep06_en.pdf">http://web20.s112.typo3server.com/fileadmin/pdfs/ 
Reports/Annual_Reports_2006/annualrep06_en.pdf</a>
On 13 March, the European Parliament adopted a roadmap on equality between women and men, which can be found at 
<a href="http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?Type=TA&amp;Reference=P6-TA-2007-0063&amp;language=EN">http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?Type=TA&amp;Reference=P6-TA-2007-0063&amp;language=EN</a>
IRIN has launched a new book on sexual violence against women and girls in conflict. 
<a href="http://www.irinnews.org/pdf/sow/IRIN-TheShameofWar-fullreport-Mar07.pdf">http://www.irinnews.org/pdf/sow/IRIN-TheShameofWar-fullreport-Mar07.pdf</a>&nbsp; 
 
CLADEM has published a report on the killings of women in Central American and Mexico. 
<a href="http://www.cladem.org/espanol/regionales/Violenciadegenero/Docs/Estudio%20Feminicidio%20en%20centroamerica%20y%20méxico.asp">http://www.cladem.org/espanol/regionales/ 
Violenciadegenero/Docs/Estudio%20Feminicidio%20en%20centroamerica%20y%20m&eacute;xico.asp</a> (in Spanish) 
 
CLADEM has another study on sexual violence and armed conflict in Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Peru. 
<a href="http://www.cladem.org/espanol/regionales/Violenciadegenero/Docs/CLADEM%20Estudio%20Conflicto%20Armado.asp">http://www.cladem.org/espanol/regionales/ 
Violenciadegenero/Docs/CLADEM%20Estudio%20Conflicto%20Armado.asp</a>
The Inter-Parliamentary Union has done a survey on women in parliament worldwide. 
<a href="http://www.ipu.org/pdf/publications/wmn06-e.pdf">http://www.ipu.org/pdf/publications/wmn06-e.pdf</a>&nbsp; 
 
The Belgian Union FGTB organised a meeting on work-life balance on 8-9 March, the results of which can be found at 
<a href="http://www.fgtb.be/code/fr/c18_0000.htm">http://www.fgtb.be/code/fr/c18_0000.htm</a> (in French and Dutch)

ICEM WOMEN’S BULLETIN 21

<img height="48" src="" width="120" alt="" />
ICEM Turkish affiliate CIMSE-Iş, the Cement, Ceramic, Soil, and Glass Workers&rsquo; Union, signed a successful collective agreement on 29 March for 6,000 ceramics workers at 11 factories. The agreement was signed with the employers&rsquo; association for ceramics. 
 
Retroactive to 1 January, workers will receive monthly salary increases of 5%, plus a bonus of new TRL55, effective also on 1 January 2007. 
 
Regarding social benefits, a press release issued by CIMSE-Iş on 3 April reports that, on average, a 25% increase was won for all union members.

CIMSE-Iş in Turkey Wins 5% Pay Gains, Benefit Increases for 6,000 Ceramics Workers

ICEM InBrief 2006年８月７日　６２号

<img height="40" alt="" src="" width="100" />
The F&eacute;d&eacute;ration des travailleurs de l&rsquo;Energie, des Mines et Eau et Assimili&eacute;s (FESYNEME) held its first Congress in Benin, West Africa, on 2 September 2006. 
 
Delegates from each of its five member-unions, all from the energy sector, were present at this first Congress, including from Syntra-Sonacop (Syndicat des travailleurs de la soci&eacute;t&eacute; nationale de commercialisation des produits p&eacute;troliers), the ICEM&rsquo;s affiliate in Benin. FESYNEME is, in turn, an affiliate of Benin&rsquo;s national centre CSA. 
 
The Congress chose Syntra-Sonacop&rsquo;s General Secretary Dieudonn&eacute; Lokossou as General Secretary for FESYNEME for the next four years.

First Congress for Energy Union Federation in Benin

<img height="40" alt="" src="" width="100" />
Seven trade unions representing Continental AG rubber workers in six countries gathered 18-19 October in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, to discuss the German manufacturer&rsquo;s labour practices. The meeting was hosted by the independent SNTGTM in Mexico. 
 
A declaration resulted from the conference on undertaking future work, including a Day of Action at Continental&rsquo;s global worksites on 13 December 2006. The declaration includes a call to IGBCE of Germany, as the major trade union of Conti workers there, to conduct a meeting of Continental trade unions in order to work toward creation of a global union network. 
<img height="225" alt="" src="" width="300" />
Continental Tyre unionists 
in front of the San Luis Potosi plant
Trade unionists from Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Germany, Mexico and the US attended the meeting in San Luis Potosi. The host union described how management at this plant sacked some union leaders, with SNTGTM taking the matter to court in order to get reinstatements. With that successful, the union has still found it difficult to bargain with the company each year. 
 
Mark Cieslikowski, a local union leader from US affiliate United Steelworkers (USW), told delegates of the harsh manner in which Continental closed a tyre factory in Charlotte, state of North Carolina, this year. Brazilian trade unionists told how, despite a collective agreement in place, managers at a facility in Cana&ccedil;ari block union representatives from entering the plant to speak with or organise workers. 
 
J&ouml;rg Schustereit, IGBCE member and member of the works council of ContiTech, called &ldquo;Euroforum,&rdquo; spoke about the process and workings of that council, while ICEM&rsquo;s Rubber Sector Officer, Michael Wolters, reported on Conti&rsquo;s economic situation, as well as the company&rsquo;s current business strategy. 
 
The ICEM will update Rubber Sector trade unions about developments at Continental, as well as alert unions at Continental worksites about the Day of Action, 13 December 2006.

Rubber Unions Gather to Discuss Continental; Issue Declaration

<img height="40" alt="" src="" width="100" />
Neo-conservative Paul Wolfowitz, President of the World Bank, issued sharp criticism at China last week for the way in which the country runs its investment projects in developing countries. According to Wolfowitz, Chinese banks should stop their current practice of ignoring workers and human rights when investing abroad. 
 
A key point in Wolfowitz&rsquo;s assertion was the fact that Chinese banks fail to adhere to the international Equator Principles. 
 
Earlier this year, dozens of commercial banks and lenders signed up to a revised version of the Equator Principles. These principles are a voluntary benchmark for the financial industry, consisting, among other things, of a set of environmental and social standards that should be met by banks when they fund global projects. To date, some 80% of all commercial banks have adopted the guidelines. 
 
Trade unionists everywhere might take an interest in this, since the Equator Principles are partially based on the social and environmental loan conditions of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank&rsquo;s lending arm for the private sector. Cause for some optimism is that the IFC, earlier this year, also adopted a new of social standards. These new IFC standards now include a commitment to respect all ILO's core labour standards, including the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining. 
 
When all is tallied, this means that a majority of the world&rsquo;s operating banks, of whom many are involved in mining, oil, gas or other extraction projects in developing countries, have now declared, albeit voluntarily, to demand the respect for the core ILO standards in their projects. 
<img height="115" alt="" src="" width="100" /> 
 
Reg Green,&nbsp;ICEM&rsquo;s Health, 
Safety and Environment Officer
In reacting to a Financial Times article on this subject, Reg Green, ICEM&rsquo;s Health, Safety and Environment Officer, wrote in a letter-to-the-editor that the World Bank&rsquo;s quest for further endorsements of the Equator Principles a sound idea. However, in addition to endorsing the principles, he said that countries could, and should, go a step further. 
 
Green wrote, &ldquo;The single most important asset that African countries currently possess is their mineral wealth. It is also well known that where mineral wealth is concerned there are major temptations to corruption.&rdquo; 
 
Green said more African countries would do well to commit themselves to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) principles, an international effort to &ldquo;improve governance in resource-rich countries through the full publication and verification of company payments and government revenues from oil, gas and mining.&rdquo; ICEM has been supportive of the EITI initiative. In his Financial Times letter, Green describes the EITI as a promising development, even though it is still very young. 
 
Finally, and ironically, the World Bank, which criticises Chinese banks for not abiding by the Equator Principles and the ILO standards, recently issued a highly-circulated publication entitled &ldquo;Doing Business,&rdquo; which encourages violation of a number of ILO Conventions by countries in order to make their economies more &quot;investment friendly.&quot; 
 
For more information: 
EITI : <a href="http://www.eitransparency.org">http://www.eitransparency.org</a> 
Equator Principles: <a href="http://www.equator-principles.com">http://www.equator-principles.com</a> 
IFC adopting ILO standards: 
<a href="http://www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?Index=991223448&amp;Language=EN">http://www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?Index=991223448&amp;Language=EN</a>&nbsp;

On International Social and Environmental Principles

Archive

Austria: National Centre OeGB to Conduct Commemorative Event on 27 April

ICEM's 28 April Priority: Lobby G8 Summit for Creation of High-Level Working Group on HIV/AIDS

Statement of the Goodyear Global Union Network

Rules of the Goodyear Global Union Network

ICEM WOMEN’S BULLETIN 21

CIMSE-Iş in Turkey Wins 5% Pay Gains, Benefit Increases for 6,000 Ceramics Workers

ICEM InBrief 2006年８月７日　６２号

First Congress for Energy Union Federation in Benin

Rubber Unions Gather to Discuss Continental; Issue Declaration

On International Social and Environmental Principles

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Austria: National Centre OeGB to Conduct Commemorative Event on 27 April

ICEM's 28 April Priority: Lobby G8 Summit for Creation of High-Level Working Group on HIV/AIDS

Statement of the Goodyear Global Union Network

Rules of the Goodyear Global Union Network

ICEM WOMEN’S BULLETIN 21

CIMSE-Iş in Turkey Wins 5% Pay Gains, Benefit Increases for 6,000 Ceramics Workers

ICEM InBrief 2006年８月７日 ６２号

First Congress for Energy Union Federation in Benin

Rubber Unions Gather to Discuss Continental; Issue Declaration

On International Social and Environmental Principles

ICEM InBrief 2006年８月７日　６２号