Workshop Bringing informal workers into the formal economy Lima Peru, 24 to 28 August 2015

Transcription

1 Workshop Bringing informal workers into the formal economy Lima Peru, 24 to 28 August 2015 Presentation: CTRN experience with unionization in banana plantations Maikol Hernández Arias Public Relations Secretary

2 Introduction CTRN prioritized unionization of the private sector as a pillar of its Strategic Plan It appointed the Sindicato Industrial de Trabajadores Costarricense del Banano y Afines (Sintracobal), which planned and promoted membership campaigns on banana plantations in Limón. SINTRACOBAL is led by young people under 40 years of age who have been active in the union self-reform process driving TUCA/ CTRN.

3 Banana cultivation is located in areas of low socioeconomic development and therefore characterized by poverty and unemployment. These conditions are aggravated by the presence of a high number of migrant workers who are hired and subcontracted under conditions with little or no protection because they are foreigners without documents. There are few trades unions in the agribusiness sector and unionization is low due to the prevalence of solidarity associations and direct agreements: both of these business tools operate against trade unions and collective bargaining (CB)

4 Employment situation in the country Informal work: 40 % (increasing). Poverty: 22 % SAP: Public sector: (15%) Private sector: (84%) Business and and unspecified organizations: 8946 Rate of unionization: 10 % Rate of public unionization: 34% Rate of private unionization 2%

5 Collective bargaining coverage Company or work centre collective agreements signed: 87 Sectoral collective agreements signed: 0 Collective bargaining coverage: 141,950 Public sector: 72 ( % covered) Private sector: 15 ( % covered) Total coverage: (7.02%)

6 Suggestion: trade union + community In the trade union: -promote forms of organization and collective bargaining -explore and develop a new trade union training strategy -strengthen communication and exchanges of organizational experiences, strengthening of networks and alliances -strengthen the unity of these workers at national, regional and international level. In the community: -promote the participation of related social organizations in trade union activities. -promote and support the creation of social, productive, environmental and community organizations. -position the trade union as an entity driving improvements in the community. -promote and lay claim to the rights of indigenous peoples and migrant workers. -promote the participation of women and young people.

7 Continuous physical exertion Working conditions Exposure to the environment in high-risk positions Women in contact with agricultural toxins and humidity Contaminated plastic waste

8 Pillars of the struggle: recovery of basic rights Workers' minimum legally-established employment rights are infringed: Minimum wage. Social Security. Occupational health. Migrant rights. Exhausting working days. Migratory conditions. Rights of indigenous peoples. Freedom of association. Collective bargaining. Women's rights.

9 Informal work in the banana industry Outsourcing of services at different stages of the value chain. Outsourcing of certain work, pest control, maintenance of drains, production periods.

10 Banana industry value chain II packing I cultivation III land transport VII market IV storage VI sea transport V port transport

11 Distribution of profits Breakdown of banana price: figures refer to a Costa Rican banana sold in a supermarket in the UK (approximate 2010 calculation 4% workers 20% growers 23% transport (from plantation to European port) 12% EU tariff 12% ripening plant 29% retailer

12 SINTRACOBAL in the banana industry Actions Statutory reform Improvement in fee payment General State Budget Join forces with other trade unions nationally (FENTRAG) and internationally ( UITA) Membership campaign with new methodology. Achievements. Creation of trade union branches. Basic collective bargaining leaflet. Stage of resistance. Results The process is successful in various respects: membership, new structures, new image. The legally-required percentage was achieved and a CB leaflet was presented. Start of anti-union practices, persecution and intimidation directed against members. Company did not respond to Ministry of Employment and Social Security meeting notices. Trade unions forced to

13 What should collective-bargaining include in the various links of the Costa Rican banana industry value chain? Regulate migratory issues. Ensure Social Security coverage Improve wage to above legal minimum. Promote environmentally-friendly production models that also ensure the health of workers. Increase productivity to ensure business and job stability. Minimize outsourcing. Remove structures against trade unions (standing committees) Eliminate tax evasion practices. Promote community participation in production-related economic activities. Promote the rights of indigenous workers and their cultures.

14 Thank you very much