Focus :

AFRICA TUNISIA : The second round of national dialogue on the initiative of the UGTT, scheduled for early May, comes nearly eight months after the first stage of the same Congress which was held on October 16. The first step took place in a particular climate marked in particular by the legal and political controversy that prevailed on the national political scene on "the end of the electoral legitimacy on 23 October 2012". — TUNISIA : The Secretary General of UGTT, the General Union of Tunisian Workers, claims to have submitted a report highlighting "the extent of the damage that targeted the UGTT in the events of December 4, 2012 "to the head of government. After the meeting, the prime minister told the representatives of the national press that the commission of inquiry into the events of December 4 failed to reach a common and consensual conclusion between union representatives and those of government, which has given rise to two separate reports instead of one. — CONGO - KINSHASA : Professors at the University of Lubumbashi (UNILU) that launched an indefinite strike from Monday, April 29, announced Saturday that "Classes will resume as soon as they receive the balance of their salaries for February and March 2013. " — MOROCCO : “Trade union unity for dignity, freedom and social justice" is the theme chosen by the Democratic Federation of Labour to celebrate the May Day this year. The Moroccan working class will celebrate this occasion in a confused situation, marked by a series of failures of government which could not implement the operationalization of the Constitution and promises made when taking office. — WORLD CANADA : After weeks of events across Quebec, tens of thousands of Quebecers gathered at “La Fontaine Park”, “la place du Canada” and at the “Guy-Favreau Complex” in Montreal for a day of protest against the sacking of EI (Employment Insurance). This event is held on the occasion of the celebrations of the International Day of workers’ May 1. Initiated by the Quebec unions and two major organizations defending the rights of the unemployed, the Quebec Coalition against the reform of EI took a scale rarely seen now bringing together now a wide range of trade unions, Quebec municipalities, producers and farmers, students and many economic, social and artistic community of Quebec organizations.

Honduras: CATERPILLAR Distributor Fires 100 Workers

20/07/2012
The ITUC has joined with its Honduran affiliates, the CUTH, CTH and CGT, in firmly condemning the union-crushing tactics being deployed by CEMCOL, which distributes heavy equipment produced by the Caterpillar brand in Honduras. The company's conduct marks a break with 20 years of constructive relations between CEMCOL and the trade union SITRAMCA, based on respect for the law and dialogue.

The company has just unfairly dismissed 100 unionised workers. These dismissals violate the laws of Honduras, the international conventions of the ILO and the collective agreement. The 100 employees were sacked for refusing to be coerced into transferring to the same jobs in other companies set up by the same employer.

"Let no one be fooled," said ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow. "The logic behind this strategy is to destroy the trade union organisation. It is something the trade union movement will not accept and that violates national and international laws."

In a letter to the Honduran authorities, the ITUC urged President Porfirio Lobo to intervene in defence of the workers' fundamental rights and ILO conventions, to open talks with CEMCOL to ensure the immediate reinstatement of the employees dismissed. It is essential for democracy and social justice that every action be taken to stop the destruction of this union that has formed part of the company for so many years.

For more information, please contact the ITUC Press Department on: +32 2 224 0204 or +32 476 62 10 18

Photo: willem von bergen

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ITUC-Africa / CSI-Afrique, Route internationale d’Atakpamé, Centre FOPADESC Agoè-Zongo Téléphone: +228 22 25 07 10 Fax: +228 22 25 61 13 Email : info ituc-africa.org