focus on health and safety || the wisdom of solomon
TRANSCRIPT
International Centre for Trade Union Rights
The wisdom of SolomonAuthor(s): SARAH FITZPATRICKSource: International Union Rights, Vol. 6, No. 4, Focus on health and safety (1999), p. 25Published by: International Centre for Trade Union RightsStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/41935815 .
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Conclusion Trade unionists throughout the Commonwealth respect the principles outlined in the 1971 Singa- pore and 1991 Harare Declarations and reaffirm their willingness to play a full part in promoting them. The CTUC is calling on governments to promote these principles and to: ■ seek to ensure that the benefits of globalisa- tion are equitable and sustainable; ■ ratify and enforce the ILO Core Conventions, including the new child labour convention No. 182; ■ demonstrate respect for core labour standards and protect workers from exploitation; ■ work with trade unions to advance the princi- ple of social justice; ■ endorse the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.
About the CTUC For 50 years, the trade unions in the Common- wealth have interacted, supported one another, and built a considerable solidarity network. The Commonwealth Trade Union Council links trade union national centres, representing over 30 mil- lion trade union members, in 51 of the 54 coun- tries. It seeks to promote a democratic and pros- perous Commonwealth in which international labour standards are observed and operates in close co-operation with other international trade union organisations. The Chairperson is Gibson Sibanda, president of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions.
For further information contact Annie Watson, Director, Commonwealth Trade Union Council, Congress House, Great Russell St, London WC1B 3LS; email: [email protected]
The wisdom of Solomon
IN Earthmovers in the
the
courts
Solomon Ine - even
continue Islands
though
the to each keep lawyers
decision the workers
for
over
the Earthmovers Ine continue to keep the workers in the courts - even though each decision over
the last two years has been in the workers' favour. Meanwhile, at least one child has died of malnutrition.
Striking workers are without food for their fam- ilies. With support from many unions and organi- sations in Australia and around the region, the Solomon Islands National Union of Workers has been able to provide subsistence level supplies and many people have established small food gar- dens.
Even these small gardens are problematic. Most of the workers are Malaitams who have come to the main island of Guadalcanal so many are plant- ing on other people's customary land. As the eco- nomic situation in the Solomon Islands comes under pressure there is mounting ethnic tension which recently erupted into violence.
The striking workers are asking for a new col- lective agreement and for an increase of 11.8 per cent on the US25c per hour they were paid by the Malaysian company which sends round logs directly out of the Solomon Islands. The company is logging virgin forests. It pays minimal tax and royalties. No wonder they are opposing trade unionism.
The impact of the nearly two year long strike is being felt by over 400 families. In the early stages, SINUW reached agreement with many schools to waive fees because education is not freely provided in the Solomon Islands. Children are paying the price of Earthmovers Ine unwill- ingness to recognise the union and to pay even the little more the workers are asking. Many of the children are now out of school. The company can calculate freely on there being extra pressure on the workers from families who are in desper- ate straits, seeing their children's need. Family units suffer under such pressure. Domestic vio- lence can increase, there can be calls to forget
the long term gains of trade unionism and go for the short fix.
In a range of tactics, Earthmovers Ine had evict- ed many workers from even the slum houses they previously inhabited. Management has been "cleaned out" so many Malaysian workers have left the country - and they have left behind the Solomon Islander women whom they had taken as wives - and the children they had fathered. The very basis of local culture had been attacked. An old man died in one of the logging camps. This company worth millions and millions of dol- lars would not pay for the body of the elderly worker to be taken back to his home for burial.
The company has been able to afford this long battle because, with the Asian economic crisis, prices were down and it had a massive stockpile of logs to move.
The company can afford it. The children, fami- lies and workers cannot.
Australians are ranged on both sides of the legal battles. Earthmovers Ine have been employ- ing expensive high profile barristers and solici- tors. There are many rumours of bribery and pressure on local officials in the Solomon Islands.
Now, Stephen Howells and Judith Bornstein, barristers from Melbourne are volunteering support for the workers, Labour lawyers Orm Thomas and Bob Whyburn are representing SINUW and have, together with the CFMEU, been fundraising to help cover costs and provide food.
Many unions within Australia have contributed to help supply food and basic medical supplies over the past two years. The International Federa- tion of Building and Wood Workers to which SINUW is affiliated wishes to thank all those who have responded to its call for solidarity.
A disturbing case from the Pacific where corporate lawyers are
" playing a deadly
I
playing a deadly
SARAH FITZPATRICK works for the IFBWW South Pacific
Article from Workers Online: http://www.labor.net.au/ workers/magazine
Page 25 Volume 6 Issue 4 1999 INTERNATIONAL union rights
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