
Issue No 61		07 July 2000

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Legal

The Global Millennium Project

The International Centre for Trade Union Rights (ICTUR) has developed a draft proposal for a comprehensive revision and modernisation of international labour standards for the new millenium.


	David Chin

This is ICTUR's "Millenium Project"which is designed to update International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions and enforcement mechanisms to better suit the contemporary climate of globalisation.

The importance of this project for Australian Trade unions and workers is highlighted by the recent Senate inquiries into the Howard government's failed attempts to introduce the "second wave" industrial reforms and to outlaw industrial action in support of "pattern bargaining".

Both bills would have seriously compounded Australia's current breach of fundamental ILO standards on freedom of association and collective bargaining. ICTUR vigorously opposed those bills in the Senate inquiries with reference to relevant ILO conventions. However, the Coalition majorities of the Senate Committees, as well as the Democrats, were regrettably dismissive of Australia's international labour standards obligations.

A thorough modernisation of ILO Conventions, including the implementation of an effective method of enforcement of those Conventions (such the social clause concept) is needed to ensure the relevance of international labour standards. This is why ICTUR has embarked on the Millennium Project.

ICTUR proposes a new international code on freedom of association which may include the following:

The Right to Trade Union Membership, Participation and Representation

* the right of workers to belong to an independent trade union for the protection of their interests;

* the right of workers to take part in the activities of a trade union outside working hours and during working hours with the consent of the employer;

* the right of workers to be represented by a trade union official in matters relating to their employment.

The Right to Trade Union Autonomy

* the right of trade unions to organise their internal affairs free from state interference, and free from interference by employers;

* the right of trade unions to determine their own membership rules and procedures free from State interference;

* the right of trade unions to elect their own officials and develop their own programmes free from state interference.

The Right to Trade Union Recognition

* the right of trade union access to an employer's premises at the request of workers employed there;

* the right of a trade union to be recognised for the purposes of collective bargaining on all matters relating to the contract of employment;

* the right of a trade union to facilities for the purposes of collective bargaining, including the disclosure of information.

The Right to Strike

* the right of a trade union to organise strike or other industrial action in order to promote the social and economic interests of their members;

* the right of workers to take part in lawful industrial action without being discriminated against or dismissed by their employer or the State;

* the right of trade unions and workers to take strike or other industrial action in support of other trade unions and workers in dispute with an employer.

The Rights of Trade Union Representatives

* the right of trade union representatives elected or nominated by a trade union to be recognised as such by an employer

* the right of trade union representatives to protection from dismissal or other prejudice by reason of their trade union activities

* the right of the trade union representative to access to workers and to facilities at the workplace to enable him or her to carry out his or her duties

The Right of International Trade Union Federations

* the right to bargain with resident multinationals on the observance of core labour standards;

* the right to be consulted by multinationals about transnational issues affecting employment by the company in question;

* the right to organise industrial action against multinational enterprises, and the right of national affiliates and their members to take part in such action.

ICTUR welcomes any contributions from interested organisations and individuals. Any comments can be directed to David Chin, Secretary-Treasurer of the Australian National Committee of ICTUR at mailto:dchin@jonesstaff.com.au

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Issue 61 contents

Technology: Union Rep for Global Net Body
The godfather of unions and the Internet, Eric Lee, is seeking your support to give labour a voice on the net's governing body, ICANN.

Interview: Downloaded and Done Over
In the wake of the TV Networks' digital TV victory, Internet industry chief Peter Coroneus rues a missed opportunity for Australia.

Legal: The Global Millennium Project
The International Centre for Trade Union Rights (ICTUR) has developed a draft proposal for a comprehensive revision and modernisation of international labour standards for the new millenium.

Unions: Sandgropers Get Serious on Stress
The Australian Services Union in Western Australia in conjunction with the University of Western Australia, is surveying workers across the state's call centre industry.

Politics: New Work for a New Millennium
View in full the ALP's Draft Industrial Relations Policy to be taken to the National Conference at the end of the month.

Solidarity: Korean Hotel Workers Seek Global Help
Striking Korean hotel workers at the Swiss Grand Hotel and the Seoul Hilton are worried they could be the next targets of escalating riot police violence.

History: Vince's Parable of the Sundial
How a working man survived WWII and ASIO blacklists to save a sundial.

International: Room for Optimism from African Poll
The performance of pro-Deomcracy groups in the Zimbabwean elections has given supporters hope for better days.

Environment: Mexican Wave Goes Green
American politics has taken on a Green hue with the left leaning National Action Party and the Greens in Mexico picking up nearly 40% of the vote in the recent elections.

Satire: Aussies Celebrate Centenary by Leaving Country
Prime Minister John Howard has defended his government's decision not to involve Australia in the centenary federation celebrations.

Review: A Building Sings of Lives Lived in Music
Mysterious shadows flicker in the windows of the Parramatta Town Hall. Strains of trumpet and sarod float outside. It's all part of the urban Theatre Project's latest work, 'The Palais'.

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