Budapest, 10 February 2010

BWI in figures:Created in December 2005 by IFBWW and the WFBW

Is a Global Union Federation grouping free and democratic unions with members in the Building, Building Materials, Wood, Forestry and Allied sectors.318 trade unions representing around 12 million members in 130 countries.

Our mission: to promote the development of trade unions in our sectors throughout the world and to promote and enforce workers rights in the context of sustainable development

Key areas of our strategic plan 2010-2013Organising and Trade Union building: Increase membership and workplace representation through unions which have a rights based approach, strong structures, clear policy agendas and organising ability.

Bargaining: Raise standards through binding agreements and strengthen systems of Collective Bargaining to give greater coverage to workers in our sectors.

Influencing Policy and improving Institutional participation:It is of fundamental importance to improve the institutional capacity and to support tripartite industry structures in our sectors, if we are to have meaningful social dialogue, tripartite working relationships and sustainable industrial policy development.

BWI approuches on achieving decent work and sustainabel development in BWI sectors:

• Promoting ILO Core Labour Standards:a) in international framework agreements with MNEs (IFAs),b) through forest certificationc) sustainabel forest management and wood product supply chainsc) in Public Contracts (C94) and infrustructure projects funded by the International Financial Institutionsd) Sports mega campaignse) Campaigns on OHS, child labour, migrant workers rights, gender equite and youth

BWI signed several IFAs on workers rights with major MNCs, namely with: 1. IKEA (furniture, Sweden)

2. Faber-Castell (pencils, Germany)

3. Hochtief (construction, Germany)

4. Skanska (construction, Sweden)

5. Ballast Nedam (construction, Holland)

6. Stabilo (instruments for writing and cosmetics, Germany)

7. Impregilo (construction, Italy)

8. Veidekke (construction, Norway)and

9. Lafarge (construction, France)

10. Royal BAM Groep (construction, Netherlands)

11. Staedtler (writing and drafting, Germany)

12. VolkerWessels (construction, Netherlands)

14. Wilkhahn (office furniture, Germany)

The largest single organisation representing social interests in forest certificationClose cooperation with paper workers‘ unions (ICEM)Supports all certification efforts which incorporate ILO Core Labour StandardsEncourages and supports involvement by affiliates nationally and locally

FSC – Forest Stewarship Council (Savet upravljanja šumama)www.fsc.orgOne global set of rulesPEFC – Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certirfication (Program za prihvatanje sertifikacije šuma)www.pefc.orgMore of a federation of national systems

To create employment that is sustainableTo support an industry which is sustainable:Economically, Environmentally and SociallyImprovement of working and living conditions

Same rights for workers in downstream industries as in forestryRights which are verified as being the realityA safer, more sustainable industryRecognised as such by consumers and decision-makersUpholding trade union rights are the key componentTrade union rights are human rights

Only one set of internationally-recognised standardsILO Core ConventionsRatified by the majority of governments and included in labour legislationDeveloped uniquely through a tripartite dialogueLike any legal system, there are violationsViolations need to be addressed and corrected in certification systems

International Labour ConventionsFreedom of Association Right to organise and to collective bargainingChild labourNo discriminationSocial SecurityMinimum WageWorking hours

ILO Code of Practice on

Safety and Health in Forestry Work

1997Health and Safety

Conventions:155, 161, 170

Decisions of ILO Committee on national adherence should apply where legislation is either lacking or not enforcedAll certificate holders should be required to demonstrate compliance with these standards

Certification standards that produce real improvements for all stakeholdersImproved respect and acknowledge-ment of certification as a real tool in sustainabilityGetting rid of pictures like this:

 

Construction provides much needed employment for many of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.

150 million workers. 75%in developing countries 5 trillion dollar industry.

Construction provides work for low skilled or entry level workersOf special importance for the landless poorLarge numbers of rural - urban migrants look for work in constructionThe industry is dominated by micro enterprises 90% of firms have less than ten workersWorkers are recruited through intermediary agents, labour only subcontractors or directly at pick up points for day labouring

Outsourcing of labour through chains of subcontractors and hiring through labour-only subcontractors is now the norm, offering little direct employment. The industry uses large numbers of bogus self employed workers and informal labour. This has had a profound, negative effect on job security, safety and health and skills training and social security coverage. These exploitative employment policies and labour practices have also weakened trade union organisation and undermined collective bargaining in the sector.

LegislationLegislation

 

Promotion activities: labour rights:guidelines, information, and training, assistance, workplace inspections, interviews. Targeted campaigns on specific hazards and prevention measures.

Enforcement and real deterrents: the fear factor: properly resourced inspectorate; enforce laws, meaningful costs of fines and compensation; social stigma and loss of license or liberty for negligent employers.

• There is an extremely high level of competition in the construction industry and contractors win bids by lowering their costs.

• Labour is a major component of these costs. • “Outsourcing” offers the opportunity to secure

significant cost reductions by passing responsibilities to subcontractors, and by avoiding responsibilities for labour legislation, wages, hours, health, safety and welfare regulations and social costs (tax, insurance).

In this situation, the construction contract is an important mechanism for the implementation of labour standards. There is a clear need for clauses that relate specifically to labour standards to be included in bidding and contract documents. Strong argument for direct employment.There must be a clear flow of responsibilities from the client, prime, subcontractors to all workers on site

Labour clauses in Public Contracts that reflect the key ILS - public procurement reform is underway….Multilateral Development Banks: World Bank and International Finance Corporation, Regional Development Banks adopted ILSILO Convention 94, opportunities to raise need for social objectivesModernise National Procurement laws and regulations to include labour clauses

6.1 Engagement of Staff and Labour 6.2 Rates of Wages and Conditions of Labour 6.5 Working Hours 6.6 Facilities for Staff and Labour 6.7 Health and Safety (and HIV AIDS)6.20 Prohibition of Forced/ Compulsory Labour 6.21 Prohibition of Harmful Child Labour 6.22 Employment Records of Workers Sub-Clause 6.23 Workers’ Organizations: Sub-Clause 6.24 Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity

The private sector lending wing of the World Bank Group introduced the new Performance Standard 2 in April 2006. Commits IFC clients to respect national law and international standards on:

Freedom of association and collective bargainingNon-discrimination and equality of opportunityFreedom from child labourFreedom from forced labourRetrenchment –required to have a retrenchment planWorking relations – documentation and communication of conditionsWorking conditions – compliance with collective bargaining and national law on pay, hours, OSH.Grievance mechanisms – must be in place for workersHuman resource policy - the client is also expected to have a human resource policy in place.The policy applies to non-employee workers, contract labour, sub contractors and suppliers

Introduced an area of BWI Work in 2006World Cup 2010 in South Africa was the first Campaign launched

We engaged FIFA

Unions gained in organising, workers protection and bargaining

Jasmin RedžepovićProject Coordinator

BWI Project Office for SEE – Sarajevowww.bwint.org