Technicians go on strike in Sweden over what they described as a “typical U.S. model”: six-day workweeks, unavoidable overtime and an unclear evaluation system for promotion.
Incident Tag: Union Repression
Incidence where unionizing and collective bargaining is obstructed/repressed/prohibited. Workers denied the right of association.
http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/—ed_norm/—normes/documents/publication/wcms_318141.pdf (p. 28)
Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87)
‘…the right for workers and employers to establish and join organizations of their own choosing without previous authorization. Workers’ and employers’ organizations shall organize freely and not be liable to be dissolved or suspended by administrative authority.
Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98)
‘This fundamental Convention provides that workers shall enjoy adequate protection against acts of anti-union discrimination, including requirements that a worker not join a union or relinquish trade union membership for employment, or dismissal of a worker because of union membership or participation in union activities.
Samsung’s sub-standard labour practices in India
Interviews underline labor concerns at Samsung facility (~2, 500 workers) manufacturing air-conditions and refrigerators: salaries not enough to meet monthly expenses and to provide for their families; monthly wages between Rs 6,200 – Rs 12,000 ($92 – $178); hiring of contract workers/apprentices for the same work, but lower pay; 10-11 hour daily shifts during high season, 6-7 days/week; cases of unpaid overtime wage; compulsory overtime; workers victimised, dismissed, or put under pressure to resign, if they attempt to unionise.
The Myanmar Dilemma (factory 8)
Labor concerns at garment factory (300 workers): non-living wages; daily base wage 3,600 kyat (€2.71); regular work 60 -68 hours/week; unpaid overtime if production target isn’t met; child labor (16-18 years of age); workers do not receive any health and safety training; protective gear provided only when buyers visit the factory; high temperatures; most workers don’t have a social security card; workers afraid of dismissal if they join a trade union.
The Myanmar Dilemma (factory 3)
Labor violations at garment factory (1,300 workers): non-living wages; daily base wage 2,700-3,600 kyat (€2.03 – €2.71); occasions of workers toiling for less than legal minimum wage; unpaid overtime if production target isn’t met; cases of child labor (16-18 years of age); workers working less than a year are not provided with social security; workers afraid to join a union.
The Myanmar Dilemma (factory 2)
Labor issues at garment factory (1,600 workers): non-living wages; daily base wage 3,600 kyat (€2.71); cases of child labor (16-18 years of age); some workers were younger than 15 years old when they started at the factory; workers lack health and safety training; workers afraid to join a union.
Branded Childhood (factory 5)
Labor violations at garment factory (2,600 workers): non-living wages; monthly base wages between BDT 5,300 – BDT 14,084 (€ 61.90 – € 164.50); and work regularly over 60 hour/week; 2-3/month workers have to work until 2am (16 hours/day); workers afraid of losing their job if they join a union.
Branded Childhood (factory 2)
Labor concerns at garment factory (4,680 workers): non-living wages; monthly base wages between BDT 5,300 – BDT 14,084 (€ 61.90 – € 164.50); and work regularly over 60 hour/week; workers are forced to work overtime during urgent shipments; workers afraid of losing their job if they join a union.
Deterioration of Mattel’s Labor Conditions: An Investigation of Four Factories (Foshan Mattel)
Labor concerns at factory (3,000 workers) manufacturing plastic toys: 12 hour daily work shifts; 26 days/month; compulsury overtime work; lack of living wage; no gloves provided to workers using toxic chemical thinner; no masks provided to workers in spraying department; management discourages unionizing.
Acer – CSR company overview (Kent Adhesive, Kapco)
Labor violations at factory (500 workers) manufacturing coated hard disc frames: 12 hour daily shifts, 6 days/week (72 hours/week); forced overtime; inadequate safety precautions; various reports of diseases (bronchitis, dizziness, sinusitis) stemming from chemical odour; union formation strictly prohibited by management; discrimination over contract workers; descrimination over worker sexual orientation.
Acer – CSR company overview (Tsukuba)
Labor concerns at factory (1,000 employees) supplying aluminium base for HDDs: 12 hour daily shifts, 6-7 days/week (72-84 hours/week); compulsury overtime; workers indicate their wage is not a living wage; union repression.