PART IV

Emerging Voice Representation Issues and Simple Tools for Workers’

Health & Safety

Emerging Voice Issues: Global de-unionization

Unionization under 10% in some industrialized and most developing countries

Unions strongest in Unions strongest in publicpublic services services (increasingly privatized)

PrivatizationPrivatization threatening collective Voice threatening collective Voice

WomenWomen less unionized than men less unionized than men, and in few senior TU , and in few senior TU positionspositions

Widespread Widespread unawarenessunawareness of unions, esp of unions, esp.. in developing in developing countries (e.g. Africacountries (e.g. Africa,, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan) Bangladesh, India, Pakistan)

Bad News…But We Need to Know

Strong Strong scepticismscepticism about value of unions, esp. in about value of unions, esp. in developing countriesdeveloping countries

Absence of Absence of trusttrust in unions (only 20% Russian in unions (only 20% Russian adults have positive attitude toward unions; 11% of adults have positive attitude toward unions; 11% of Argentinians; less than 20% trust organized labour Argentinians; less than 20% trust organized labour in USA)in USA)

Power slipping to Power slipping to non-democratic, non-accountablenon-democratic, non-accountable groups (financial institutions, private groups groups (financial institutions, private groups controlling media, etc.)controlling media, etc.)

Social Social solidaritysolidarity eroded worldwide…but new eroded worldwide…but new Voice forms can re-build social Voice forms can re-build social solidaritysolidarity in new in new waysways

Good News: New forms of Voice gaining strength

New forms of Voice required, from global to local level

Coalitions of organizations: more influence than the sum of the parts

More trust in new forms of Voice (e.g. NGOs) than in government/old style unions

Good news: New forms of Voice gaining strength

The Way Ahead:Combine individual Voice with strong collective Voice

Ensure all legitimate interests heard effectively & equally

Need multitude of types of collective organization

Identify which NGOs represent & promote workers’ interests

Need to limit faith-based organizations – lack transparency

Membership-based organizations: Voice for informal economy workers

Community-based initiatives (crime reduction)

Provide Voice for care workers

Voluntary & corporate social responsibility: Not a form of Voice…but ethical behaviour does pay!

Labour ActivismDefinition:

To take action against employer in case of:Wage arrears

Non-observance of labour safety rules

Unfair dismissal of other workers

Violation of legislation or collective agreement

How?How?By applying to court (24% to 45%)By applying to court (24% to 45%)

By applying to government agencies (7% to 12%)By applying to government agencies (7% to 12%)

By applying to unions (12% to 31%)By applying to unions (12% to 31%)

By taking part in manifestations (2% to 4%)By taking part in manifestations (2% to 4%)

By going on strike (2% to 4%)By going on strike (2% to 4%)

No action (4% to 6%)No action (4% to 6%)

Don’t know (17% to 20%)Don’t know (17% to 20%)

What leads to activism?

Income securityIncome securityIncome (high) – income expectations (constant)

Representation securityRepresentation securityUnionization - opportunity to dialogue with employers - Unionization - opportunity to dialogue with employers - existence of non-union workers’ organisationsexistence of non-union workers’ organisations

Employment securityEmployment securityContract (permanent) - impact (not severe) in case of job Contract (permanent) - impact (not severe) in case of job lossloss

Skills securitySkills securityCurrent and future skills for workCurrent and future skills for work

Labour market securityLabour market securityFind another job (easily)Find another job (easily)

What does not appear to lead to activism?

Job security Promotion or expecting a promotion

Work security Health and safety at work or existence

of a health and safety committee in the firm

Lack of social protection combined with globalized economic trends

causes life to become very stressful, filled with increasing insecurities. Work-related stress and ill health are now global sicknesses.

A Rights-Based Approach to Workers’ Health is needed – a move toward the recognition of workers’ knowledge and need for their full participation in the

workplace

Protection against accidents & illness through OSHE regulations;

Protection from discrimination; Protection from violence,

harassment, stress, limits on hours of work;

Rights to employment & income security, compensation benefits, pension, maternity protection, holidays, work organization

Protection through legislation, enforcement, inspections;

Right to association; Right to collective bargaining; Right to health care, education,

child care; Right to refuse unsafe work; Right to joint labour-management

OSH committees; Right to know about hazards; Protection for “whistle-blowers”

A Rights-Based Approach to Workers’ Health

Move away from traditional engineering &medical approaches to workers’ health

Conducting a WorkplaceAssessment

Step 1: Get your employer involved

StepStep 2: 2:Select membersSelect members to perform to perform workplace workplace assessmentassessment

StepStep 3: 3:Agree oAgree onn WorkplaceWorkplace Checklist Checklist with with EmployerEmployer

Conducting a WorkplaceAssessment

Step 4:Do the Assessment with Checklist

StepStep 5: 5:Assess and Analyse ResultsAssess and Analyse Results

StepStep 6: 6:Trade Union & Employer Follow UpTrade Union & Employer Follow Up

Conducting a Workplace Assessment

Step 7:Review results

StepStep 8: 8:Contribute results and experiences to Contribute results and experiences to Trade Union NetworksTrade Union Networks

Is the labour market producing enough (quality) jobs?Yes No

Do you fear becoming long-term unemployed?Yes No

If unemployed, do you believe that you will be able to find an equivalent job (in terms of skills and income)?Yes, easily Yes, with difficulty No

Do you feel sufficiently protected against arbitrary dismissal?Yes No

Do you feel you are fairly protected in case you lose your job?Yes No

Basic SecurityBasic Security

Do you have a sense of being able to develop a career?Yes No

Do you have enough control over your career development (in your firm or in the company you are working)?Yes No

Have you switched jobs (within your company)?Yes, often Yes, but not voluntarilyYes, but for a worse job Yes, for a better job No

Would you describe your working conditions as: Very good Acceptable Poor Very poor Dangerous

Basic SecurityBasic Security

Do pregnant workers have maternity protection in your workplace?Yes No

On average how many hours per week do you work? No. of hours _____

Are you entitled to paid vacation days?Yes No

Can you get training to learn new skills?Yes No

Do you feel confident that you will bring home income at the end of every month?Yes No

Basic SecurityBasic Security

Is your source of income reliable/stable?Yes No

Is your employer trustworthy as far as the payment of your wage is concerned?Yes No

Are workers able to defend their interests on work-related issues?Yes No

Is there discrimination against women in your workplace?Yes No

Basic SecurityBasic Security

Is there discrimination against older workers in your workplace?Yes No

Is there discrimination against disabled workers in your workplace?Yes No

Is child labour used in your workplace?Yes No

If child labour is used, would you say that children are working in hazardous conditions?Yes No

Basic SecurityBasic Security

Country Level Surveys Government ranking of rights

Indonesia• Right to organise• Right to strike• Maternity leave• Paid leave days• Other organisation

issue• Study leave

Mauritius• Right to organise• Other organisation

issue• Right to strike• Study leave• Maternity leave• Paid leave days

Work Security Index

Selected ILO ConventionsSelected ILO Conventions

Mechanisms to facilitate OSH committee

Mechanisms to facilitate OSH committee

Government expenditure on work injuries

Government expenditure on work injuries

Average guaranteed paid leaveAverage guaranteed paid leave

% econ. active popn. covered by workers’ compensation

% econ. active popn. covered by workers’ compensation

Work-related injury rateWork-related injury rate

Workdays lost due to injuriesWorkdays lost due to injuries

Average reported working timeAverage reported working time

Disability/invalidity benefits provided to injured workers

Disability/invalidity benefits provided to injured workers

InputInput

ProcessProcess

OutcomeOutcome

Work Security

Index

Work Security

Index

How well is your country doing?Country Ranking 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 … (216)

Country Yemen Kuwait Morocco South Africa Indonesia Bangladesh KoreaWork Security Index 0.345 0.345 0.347 0.347 0.347 0.353 0.353Indicators covered 11 12 15 15 15 14 13

Conv. 1: Limiting hours of work No Yes No No No Yes No

Conv. 103: Maternity Protection No No No No No No No

Conv. 132: Annual Holidays with Pay

Yes No No No No No No

Conv. 155: Existence of OSH law No No No No No No No

Conv. 159: No discrimination against disabled workers

Yes Yes No No No No Yes

Conv. 161: Occ. Health Services No No No No No No No

Conv. 171: Restricting night work No No No No No No No

Govt. spending on workers' compensation (% GDP)

0.089 0.164 0.078 0.114 0.072 0.064 0.229

Mechanisms to facilitate OSH committee

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Work-related injury rate to employment rate (/1000 workers)

#N/A #N/A 0.0026 0.0021 0.0013 0.0482 #N/A

% population covered by workers' compensation

#N/A 0.3952 11 4 2 #N/A 55

Average guaranteed paid leave 21 14 18 14 12 17 20.5

Working time lost due to work-related accidents

#N/A #N/A 0.0993 0.10 0.10 1.02 #N/A

Average reported working time #N/A #N/A 47.2 41.1 39.0 46.0 47.9

Disability/invalidity benefits provided to injured workers

61 28 10 30 26 41 11

Simple Tools for Workers

Surveys Inspections by workers Small group discussions Mapping

– body mapping– hazard mapping– ‘‘Your World’’ mapping

Interviews Observation

Body Mappingcollect information about workers’ health, such as:

diseases

illnesses

injuries

aches and pains

stress symptoms

reproductive problems

other problems

Examples of different symptoms

Simple Tools for WorkersSimple Tools for Workers

Hazard Mapping

Physical hazards

Chemical hazards

Biological hazards

Work design hazards

Stress hazards

Simple Tools for WorkersSimple Tools for Workers

Your World Mappingcollect information about effects of working conditions on workers:

family lives

social lives

communities

neighbourhoods

mental & emotional health

Simple Tools for WorkersSimple Tools for Workers

Problem Trees

Taking Action with Your Findings

• Verbal report with maps or pictures

• Written report• Prioritizing actions with

workers• Using the law• Using collective strength

• Negotiation with management• OSH committees• Collective agreements• Grievance/dispute procedures• Government inspectors• The media• Worker friendly networks

Food Workers Take ActionBrazilian Workers in Chocolate Industry Tackle RSIWorkers in Brazil’s chocolate industry doing research on repetitive

strain injuries (RSI). Results support cases of injured workers, prevent further injuries. Solutions focus on collective bargaining and gaining the right to intervene directly in factory.

Cambodian Farmers Research Pesticides

Mapping techniques used to address pesticide use, poverty, domestic violence, malaria and HIV/AIDS. Strategies developed to improve living & working conditions. Problems prioritized for action.

END PART IV