An International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) publication is in the lead up to the WTO MC6 in Hong Kong (HK), December 13-18, 2005.
This note contains details of the publications the ICFTU will be releasing in the lead up to the WTO Ministerial Meeting in Hong Kong. The ICFTU represents over 145 million workers, in 154 countries. At the WTO meeting, where trade unionists from dozens of countries will be present, they will be organising and participating in a number of events related to how the global trading system and the current negotiations affect the world's workers.
- Monday, November 21: Launch of Trade Union World Briefing on Export Processing Zones in the Philippines: SMS-ing against exploitation This 12-page briefing exposes the exploitation experienced by the mostly female workforce of the Philippines EPZs that manufacture goods for the electronics and clothing industries.
Forced overtime, non-payment of social security contributions, poor working conditions, sexual harassment and union bashing are just some of the daily features of life in these zones.
These conditions are worsening as a result of the race to the bottom in labour standards following the deregulation of the global market. Against this grim backdrop, however, workers in the Bataam EPZ have organised to achieve a collective agreement, delivering wage increases and an increase in productivity, a fine example of how social dialogue can work, even in an EPZ.
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