75th year, November / 1997-3

75th year, November / 1997-3
http://www.cmt-wcl.org/en/pubs/labor97-3.html
info@cmt-wcl.org

A better management of the globalisation Top

The developing countries managed to achieve a qualitatively higher standard of living in thirty years' time, whereas this took the industrial countries almost a century. So, the remarkable efforts the trade unions and other people's organisations in the Third World made in the past decades in the field of adult education among other things were not without avail: illiteracy was reduced by nearly 50%, the infant mortality rate even fell by nearly three-fifths, and the projects set up to reduce poverty in a co-ordinated manner are indeed promising. These and other figures lead the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to conclude in its recent annual report that in recent years large sections of the population obviously benefited from the considerable progress in "economic opportunities and human welfare".

Referring to this favourable evolution, the UNDP even argues that it should be possible to eradicate extreme poverty in ten to twenty years' time.

A prerequisite is, however, the pursuit of a policy in favour of the poor, compensating for the exhaustion of man and environment.
Indeed, says the UNDP, the progress must not make us blind to other developments: 507 million people (one-fifth of the population in the developing countries) barely reach the age of 40, since 1960 the part of the poorest 20% in the world income has gone down from 2.3% to 1.1%, and the least developed countries (in which 10% of the world population is living) account for a mere 0.3% of the world trade. This is twice less than twenty years ago. The UNDP points out, further, that 90% of the direct investments are consumed by North America, Europe, Japan and a few regions in China, whereas the rest of the world is allotted a mere 10%. In the 1980s, the prices of raw materials went down by 45% in real value.

So, the contrasts keep growing. Fact is that, even if more countries and privileged groups in those countries are given better opportunities, not everyone benefits to the same extent from the progress. Mechanisms to redistribute the accumulated wealth and amassed profits are, alas, non-existent in too many cases. In a world in which making profit has been raised to an exact science, the human being but also the cultural and natural environment in which he lives and develops are too easily left out of consideration. To the WCL it is obvious that the trade policy needs readjusting. Frames of reference that are focused too much on the economy will have to be run down. This implies the necessity of a better management of the current globalisation process, which is too chaotic. Hardly any time is being made for consultations on what really counts: the human being in no matter what environment. Nationalist reflexes and cold company interests will have to be placed second to values and labour standards. All the initiatives we are jointly taking both at national and at international level, are conducive to a better management of the current economic processes. Hence the importance of the forthcoming Congress of the WCL, which urges and challenges us to reflect on our contribution to a better management of the globalisation.

Willy Thys, secretary-general of the WCL

75th year, November / 1997-3
http://www.cmt-wcl.org/en/pubs/labor97-3.html
info@cmt-wcl.org

Revitalisation of the standard-setting of the ILO Top

At its latest session, held in Geneva from 3 to 19 June, the International Labour Conference decided to go on with the standard-setting work of the International Labour Organisation and to enrich it with new initiatives. It also adopted a Convention and Recommendation on fee-charging employment agencies and laid the foundation for the adoption, next year, of new standard-setting instruments relating to "subcontracting" and "job creation in small and medium-sized companies".

During the plenary session, the proposals the Director-General of the International Labour Office (ILO), Mr Michel Hansenne, advanced in his report on the standard-setting work, were the subject of a lively and sometimes even heated debate. The most ambitious among these proposals are aimed to guarantee worldwide respect for the core workers’ rights by means of a solemn Declaration, which should enable a better application of the standards, and an overall Social Label, a kind of alternative to the Social Clause, which makes it possible to place private labels and codes of conduct in a broader frame of reference.

On behalf of the WCL its General Secretary, Mr Willy Thys, endorsed these proposals and defended each alternative within the possibilities and the competence of the ILO "to persuade the political leaders and the international economic, financial and commercial institutions into promoting the universal application of all the international labour standards".

In this connection he called on the ILO member states to act more consistently with the declarations and commitments regarding social justice they make at great international meetings. Indeed, lots of countries and governments endorse final documents stressing the paramount importance of the universal application of the core labour standards (cf Copenhagen - March 1995 and Singapore - December 1996). Yet, at the Labour Conference the same countries and governments slam the brakes on when the discussion on concrete methods of assessment figures on the agenda. This is why the General Secretary of the WCL endorsed Mr Hansenne’s proposal to introduce a solemn Declaration by which the states, just in affiliating to the ILO, commit themselves to observing and making observe the core rights. He added that "such an initiative takes nothing away from the importance of promoting the entire set of ILO standards and particularly the ones relating to health and safety at the workplace or on social security.

The President of the WCL, Mr Willy Peirens, pleaded in his address for the preservation and strengthening of the consistency and interaction of the conventions and standards, "… for only they can guarantee a well-balanced and adequate line of social conduct".

The WCL also approved of the principle of a Social Label, yet on the understanding that it has to apply to all the workers, including to those who do not work for the export, and that it must not remain restricted to the core standards only. The WCL’s support for the Social Label concept does certainly not mean that the Social Clause can die a gentle death. In the opinion of the WCL both concepts are complementary.

The Conference decided to provide for a special budget in support of the standard-setting work of the ILO. The Governing Body of the ILO, for its part, will examine how the matter of the Declaration and its application mechanism can be placed on the Conference agenda in 1998.

Application of the standards

Despite the progress in the application of a number of conventions in some countries, the ILO remains confronted with persistent violations of core conventions and basic principles (such as the pursuit of social justice, tripartism, trade union freedom, advancement of collective bargaining) in several countries. A considerable part of the member states has ratified just part of the core conventions. In too many countries, moreover, social progress does not follow (or follows insufficiently) the economic development on account of the fact that the socio-economic policy is not a priority or that the fruits of economic progress benefit only a minority and the majority is confronted with the disadvantages without any prospect of improvement. The Committee on the Application of the Standards (in which ACV-CSC and WCL President Willy Peirens was elected international spokesman for the workers’ group for the 8th time in succession) therefore agreed that the ILO would go on with and step up its campaign for the promotion of the ratification of the core labour standards and would examine the possibility of introducing additional control procedures for countries which did not sign the core conventions. The Committee insisted, further, on the necessity of a closer co-operation between the international economic and monetary institutions on the one hand and the international social organisations on the other.

In this regard the Committee also discussed the adequacy of the control procedures, the social framework for the globalisation and the proposals advanced by ILO Director-General Hansenne (strengthening of the standard-setting work of the ILO — see above). As customary, it proceeded to a thorough analysis of a particular convention and recommendation. This year it looked into the Labour Administration Convention (n° 150) and Recommendation (n° 158). The discussion went to show that in many industrial as well as developing countries the labour administrations were granted too little resources and were not held in high political esteem. Yet, everybody is convinced of the importance of well-working labour markets and good social relations. The social policy is growing more and more complex because of the constantly further differentiation of the economic, technological and social realities.

During the discussion of the individual cases, the Committee reached the conclusion that the level of non-respect for the international labour standards was particularly alarming in Myanmar (flagrant trade union freedom violations), Nigeria (direct interference of the regime in internal trade union matters), Sudan (slavery and forced labour with the knowledge of the government), Swaziland (government interference in trade union affairs), Iran (persistent discrimination against women on the labour market and refusal of a special fact-finding mission of the ILO), and Morocco (sticking to an obviously inadequate law on the protection of active and ordinary trade union members against discrimination). The Committee mentioned Myanmar, Nigeria and Sudan as countries failing constantly to apply the standards they ratified. It condemned in no uncertain terms:

• Indonesia, where leaders and active and ordinary members of our affiliate, the SBSI, had fallen prey to serious discrimination;
• Belarus because of denying manifestly trade union freedom;
• Bangladesh because of heavy restrictions on the trade union freedoms in the free processing zones and on the right to strike;
• Pakistan because of the persistent forced labour and exploitation of children (debt slavery);
• Sri Lanka because of inadequate labour inspection in the free processing zones among other things and because of understaffed labour inspection divisions in general;
• Bolivia because of the heavy-handed government action against trade unions.

New standards

The 85th International Labour Conference also adopted a Convention and a Recommendation on fee-charging employment agencies.

The new instruments are a revision of Fee-Charging Employment Agencies Convention (n° 96) of 1949. At the time almost all the employment agencies were of a public nature. The instrument required adjustment in view of the more and more prominent role of the private agencies (which yielded in 1994 a $80 billion turnover in the United States) and the fact it protected the workers insufficiently against abuses and unfair practices. The revised Convention is to improve the co-operation between the private and the public agencies. This improvement should raise the efficiency of the labour market, which in turn should have a favourable effect on the prospects of job-seekers.

The Recommendation protects the workers’ interests by stipulating that the agencies have to observe an ethical code. It also enumerates the general principles to protect workers and job-seekers against bad employment conditions. (JoVe)

The 7 core conventions

No. 29 : Forced Labor Convention (1930)
No. 105 Abolition of Forced Labour Convention(1957)
No. 87 Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention (1948)
No. 98 Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining Convention (1949)
No. 100 Equal Remuneration Convention (1951)
No. 111 Discrimination Convention (1958)
No. 138 Minimum Age Convention) (1973)

75th year, November / 1997-3
http://www.cmt-wcl.org/en/pubs/labor97-3.html
info@cmt-wcl.org

DOAWTU-Africa
Promotion of socio-economic activities in trade unions Top

A difficult task awaits the African trade unions. The drastic drop in the buying power of their members and the considerable decrease in the resources necessary for taking trade union actions weigh on the development and even the survival of the trade union movement in Africa. So as to keep coming up to the expectations of their members and the population in general, the trade unions have to change course. The Executive Committee of the Democratic Organisation of African Workers’ Trade Unions - DOAWTU, the regional organisation of the WCL in Africa, has devoted a seminar to this matter.

The evolution of trade unionism and the socio-economic mutations worldwide have always led the trade unions to adjust their strategies to the requirements of time. Indeed, since the early 1980s, the difficulties facing the African countries have induced them to start negotiations with the Bretton Woods institutions. These talks have resulted in the adoption of structural adjustment programmes which contain, among other measures, a thorough change in the role of the state in the life of the nation. The application of these programmes have added to the difficulties in all the sections of the population. A lot of these difficulties emanate from the disengagement of the state from the socio-economic sectors resulting in: mass dismissals, incentives to leave public offices, blocking of advancements, delayed payment of wages, recruitment freeze in public offices, reduced credit facilities, … .

These difficulties have brought about social and economic disasters: the rate of is rising considerably, and the buying power is plummeting. The social security and social protection systems in favour of the workers and their families are creaking everywhere, to the extent that their very existence is in jeopardy and that they have become inconsistent with the socio-economic realities and evolution worldwide.

Consequences for Trade Union Action

The above-mentioned social crisis has had effects on the trade unions. Indeed, their membership figures went down dramatically, and the resources necessary for trade union action went dry in the process. Unless something is done about this, the trade unions will grow weaker and weaker, being left (almost completely) aside by the public authorities and the employers. Hence the necessity of defining a new trade union policy ensuring the survival and development of trade unionism in Africa.

In these socio-economic circumstances, the trade unions have to develop and to come up to the expectations not only of their members, but also of the population in general, which keeps trusting them to be able to mitigate the repercussions of the social crisis. So, there is a task of considerable extent in store for the trade unions. Everybody knows, however, that accomplishing this task requires enormous resources and that the trade unions will have to implement all feasible strategies.

Recommendations

Starting from these observations, the Executive Committee of the DOAWTU recommends to develop socio-economic activities in the trade unions, in other words:

- to seek alternative sources of financing

Trade unions have indeed no stable resources besides the dues paid by their members. Their action capacity depends only on external support the volume and frequency of which is hard to foretell. So then, if the members could set up income-generating activities, these activities would provide the trade unions with additional resources and allow them to create jobs and to improve the living conditions of their members;

- to develop social security systems for their members

The situation of the workers in the public, private, informal and rural sectors as well as the one of the inactive workers (unemployed, disabled, retired workers) is precarious and socially little enviable. The development of social security systems and services by the trade unions would conduce to a perceptible improvement of the living conditions of their members and of the population in general.

- to combat unemployment by creating jobs

Activities bringing in some cash and the development of the social security system lead no doubt to the development of the country, provided that these activities assume forms and dimensions which give a real impetus to development. Such activities enable the trade unions to give additional strength to their important social role.

- to give the non-members and the unemployed the opportunity to undertake activities and to join an organisation that protects their interests.

A number of activities in the informal sector ought indeed to be organised to some extent, so that the workers are in a better position to assert their rights, for operating in a scattered manner weakens and demoralises. The trade union movement ought to be able to act as an organiser and catalyst and see to it that the organised actors join the trade union.

Provisions

So as to be able to achieve these goals, the Executive Committee recommends taking the following provisions into account:

- transparent leadership

Since the trade unions have to keep their members as well as recruit new members contending with serious difficulties, the members will assess the activities scheduled. This is why the leaders have to stimulate and guarantee a transparent leadership.

- involve the beneficiaries in the choice of activities

It is altogether wrong to dictate to the actors what is the best activity. The people involved have to make this choice by themselves on the basis of areas for special attention defined by the trade union. The only task left to the trade union is to monitor the members in the identification and classification of the needs, in the definition and choice of solutions and in the taking of concrete actions.

- awareness-raising and information

Awareness-raising and information are two essential elements in the future dynamics. When organising the members, it has to be made sure that they are sufficiently informed of the advantages of participation, so that they remain motivated. This logic also applies to members wanting to be part of a socio-economic structure.

- more training for members and officials

That way those in charge of the activities can develop and improve their managerial and policy-making skills.

- a clear-cut distinction between policy-making in the field of socio-economic activities and trade unionism

There are frequent shifts in powers. It is necessary to duly regulate the powers of each and everyone.

75th year, November / 1997-3
http://www.cmt-wcl.org/en/pubs/labor97-3.html
info@cmt-wcl.org

On Sri Lanka: the trade union movement faces also the impact of globalisation Top

In a few months’ time, the WCL will celebrate its 24th Congress in Sri Lanka. This multi-racial and multi-religious nation-state, independent since 1948, is one of the largest islands in the Indian Ocean and lies approximately 20 miles to the southeast of the southernmost tip of India. It has a population of 18.1 million with an average literacy rate of 90 % which is one of the highest in the region (data of 1996). There are over 1000 trade unions registered but only a few are very active. While many trade unions are affiliated to recognised political parties, only a small group is really independent and non-political. One of them is the National Workers Congress, our host during the coming Congress.

Sri Lanka is one of the first countries in Asia to adopt the policy of globalisation. The post 1977 economic reforms led to significant changes in the country’s employment market. The reforms exposed the country’s population to more external influences as never before. Protection given to local industries was removed which led to loss of jobs. Workers moved in search of more lucrative employment. This was very true of young girls from the villages who moved from their familiar surroundings to an entirely different atmosphere in the Investment Free Trade Zones and to employment abroad. This resulted in a rise in female labour force participation from 27 % in 1980 to 39 % by the end of the decade (Sri Lanka Labour Force & Unemployment Review May 1995), and women migrant workers because of the importance of earning foreign exchange.

The garment industry and remittances from housemaids employed overseas, brought in most of the foreign exchange. But at what cost ? Families were broken up because of migration and causes social tension. The global extension of market forces has been deeply disruptive to many people. The changes in occupational structure brought about by export oriented development strategies, resulted in a large segment of local people adopting new life styles. The most significant groups involved are the new urban middle class, the new rich, a majority of young female workers in the export oriented sector and the Middle East migrants. These workers did not mind the harassment and the sufferings they underwent in the hand of the employers.

Confrontation continues to prevail in this organised sector of the economy among social partners. A dual system of labour relations continues to prevail with establishments in Board of Investment (BOI) controlled enterprises having recourse to their own devices in settling issues of wage and employment bypassing the Department of Labour. Trade unions are not permitted within the employment zones and entry by union leaders to enterprises is banned. To overcome the absence of unions, enterprise managers encouraged the formation of joint councils which are rejected by workers as creations of employers. Living conditions within the zones are deplorable and Government has so far failed to introduce a satisfactory scheme to provide meals and accommodationsfor the 150,000 work force working within the BOI enterprises.

In 1977, the Government restricted strikes in export oriented industries by emergency orders (now rescinded) to attract foreign investment. Attracting foreign investment has become a big scramble among the developing countries and Sri Lanka is no exception.

A strictly economic approach

"Rubber Barons", the local or foreign capitalists are encouraged to open factories wirh concessions and privileges thrown in abundance t keep up competition with rivals in the regime who may entice these investors with better offers. Workers are called upon to make sacrifices and undertake austerity measures for a future dream of taking off to NIC status with the turn of the century. Labour law enforcement is weak, inefficient and lethargic. Certain legal enactments like Termination of Employment Act are a nightmare for social partners as the so called voluntary settlements undertaken after termination far exceed the actual terminations sanctioned by the Commissioner. Attempts at codification of labour law remains a scissor and glue operation, the same old laws being reassembled to take care of industry situations emerging from today’s needs on the shop floor.

A proposed Worker Charter is yet being studied by a Cabinet sub committee Rejected by the employers, provisions of this charter may never see the light of day unless it is made to appear in a dress that meets with new styles of management practice and by corporate culture.

Disappointing outcomes

These changes have generated enormous social tensions and the adjustment policies of the World Bank and the IMF have failed in this regard. Fast food, teenage pregnancies, child abuse and drug trafficking are common due to the development of information technology and exposure to the forces of globalisation. In the field of labour market saw the introduction of sub contracting, part-time work, working from home and relaxing of labour regulations.

Sri Lanka continues to pursue a policy of globalisation in order to ensure growth development and social well being of its citizens, particularly the 2 million of its population that lives below the poverty line. It was expected that internationalisation of markets, technology transfer, direct Foreign investment and information accessibility would expand trade opportunities, create employment and usher in prosperity. Though prescriptions laid down by the World Bank and IMF were rigorously pursued, outcomes were disappointing. Globalisation took on a heavy toll on family income, living standards of he workers and the social fulfilment of communities. (NWC - Sri Lanka).

Sri Lanka:

Union challenges

Unemployment which was 23 % in 1973 dropped to 12 % in 1992 and is currently around 4 %. Only a minority have been able to take advantage of the new market opportunities and the mass of the poor are still worse off. The expansion of the Sri Lankan economy has not generated adequate growth to meet the demands of the local market. Trade union response in this situation is more challenging. Awareness of rights and entitlements to wages and compensating payment; a safe work environment; hideous impact of structural changes that affect work and living standards; hazards of modern industry with industrial accidents and exposure to chemicals and toxic gases; inadequacies of workmen’s compensation laws; exposure of women to night work and sweated employment; increasing reliance of contract labour and transient labour preferred by employers. The are some of the challenges unions face in the years ahead.

75th year, November / 1997-3
http://www.cmt-wcl.org/en/pubs/labor97-3.html
info@cmt-wcl.org

More attention to women in the trade union movement Top

The part of women on the labour market has risen enormously in the past decades. More and more women have to seek a job to supplement the family income or because they are left to their own devices to provide for their children. In addition, more and more women want to work because they want to contribute to the development of society and/or because they pursue self-fulfilment.

Despite this evolution it is striking that trade union membership is chiefly a men’s affair. Why do women not organise in trade unions? Or should the question be put the other way round: why do trade unions not set out to organise women?

The Dutch confederations CNV and FNV have examined in conjunction with trade unions from Ghana, Guatemala and the Philippines why women employed in agriculture, the urban informal sector and the free processing zones hardly, if at all, join trade unions. They have found that women have various reasons not to join them. In many cases they do not feel at home in trade unions, which they look upon as "typical male bastions". Even trade unions with a strong female membership have mainly male leaders. This is also true for organisers, trainers, action leaders and other important officials. The plans of action and the platforms of demands are tailored to the needs of men. Specific women’s affairs such as pregnancy and maternity leave, day nursery, measures against sexual intimidation, … are lacking. Women have this feeling of not being taken seriously in the trade union movement. The meeting culture takes no account of the tasks of women at home. Women are rarely amused by the "macho" jokes of trade union officials. And what is also very important: a lot of the work done by women is not thought about as real work, so that women are not thought about as workers.

Another important impediment is the fact that the major part of the women are employed in the so-called informal sector. Many women are working in family businesses in rural areas or as street vendors in the cities. Also homework, household work or work in micro-companies is done by women. The trade union movement is hardly present in these sectors. Though the affiliates of the WCL have realised for some time that their task includes protecting the interests of the informal sector workers, this aspect of their action is taking off very slowly.

Reasons to join

Nevertheless, lots of women do realise that it is necessary to organise themselves. They mention the trade union first, for they take it precisely the trade union movement has the possibility of effecting changes. Women who have joined a trade union point out that their membership will improve their living and working conditions. The training opportunities offered by the trade union, they say, will enable them to develop not only their skills but also their personality. Another argument in favour is the idea that the community they belong to will gain strength thanks to their trade union membership. They refer, further, to the solidarity principle.

Trade unions have to change

If the trade union movement wants to survive as a force protecting the workers’ interests worldwide, also women will have to be given their own place within the trade union movement. This means that the trade unions will have to organise in particular sectors in which women are employed: the urban and rural informal sectors. But this is not the only thing: on top of this, trade unions will have to adjust. They will have to change in order that women would start founding them interesting. They will have to reflect on their own mentality and views on the social role of women. On paper trade unions are in many cases very militant in the matter of improving the position of women. But anything may be put on paper. It is now time something really happened.

Trade unions have to take women and their demands seriously. This implies that women have to find a place at the top and in various executive offices. A women’s section or committee is not enough. Setting up a women’s committee is an excellent initiative, for it brings women together and is conducive to the mutual solidarity. But things must not stop there.

Trade unions have to organise special training sessions for women aimed, for instance, at the development of leadership skills. At the training sessions with male participants, attention has to be paid to the position and problems of women, for in the long run it is necessary to arrive at joint trade union items. Machismo has to be banned as much as possible, and the meeting hours have to be adapted to what is workable for women. In sectors employing many women, trade unions have to deploy female organisers. Women have to be given opportunities to work their way up and to become co-responsible for the decision- and policy-making of the trade union movement. Furthermore, a policy has to be instituted which is specifically tailored to the informal sector. From way back the trade union movement has focused on the formal economy. The current working method cannot be extended to a sector that works according to completely different standards. So besides a specific women’s policy, a separate strategy needs to be developed to organise the informal sector. Particularly in Latin America, but also in Asia and Africa, the affiliates of the WCL have already acquired very good experience with organising informal workers. This policy requires further development.

WCL and Action in favour of Women

The WCL takes the research work and the above-mentioned recommendations very seriously. Prior to its Congress in Sri Lanka, it will organise a Women’s Conference, during which these matters will be raised. The women present will reflect on possibilities of giving the recommendations concrete shape in a trade union policy. The Conference will be prepared by the regional women’s committees of the WCL.

The proposals will be presented to the Congress. The final purpose is, of course, to improve the position of women workers. The affiliates of the WCL are facing the challenge to co-operate on this. (Marjon Oostveen)

75th year, November / 1997-3
http://www.cmt-wcl.org/en/pubs/labor97-3.html
info@cmt-wcl.org

Actions regarding transnational corporations Top

Globalisation has given rise to new concentrations of companies. Through mergers, co-operation agreements and joint ventures, companies are seeking to consolidate or improve their positions on the world market. There is a wide variety of structures: specialised multinational corporations, legal unity structures, joint ventures, subcontracting agreements, strongly differentiated transnational corporations, …

This evolution constitutes an enormous challenges to the trade federations of the WCL. The internationalisation of trade and industry is an ideal basis for the action of the international trade federations. The current company structures make it possible to organise a genuine international action benefiting directly the shop-floor workers. We must not miss this opportunity.

The main theme of the Trade Action Seminar, which is scheduled to take place in the week preceding the WCL Congress, is "Trade union action in international company structures". One of the subjects for discussion is the meaning of a "responsible international entrepreneurship" having an eye for social relations. This subject implies as it were another one, ie the codes of conduct for multinational corporations. The debate during the seminar will have to clarify our concrete stands to:

• use or uselessness of codes of conduct for transnational corporations?
• what corporations qualify?
• what standards and guidelines have to be included in a code of conduct?
• how to organise the supervision of the implementation?
• what is the task of the separate international trade federations in this respect?
• what action programme should we develop in this respect?
• where and how do these codes of conduct fit in with the overall WCL policy aimed at the development of social codes of conduct?
• what is the relation to other social codes?

This is a small selection from the matters that will be raised during the seminar. The debates should lead to clear-cut positions, guidelines, working instruments, etc, which the international trade federations (and the WCL itself) can use in their action regarding transnational corporations. It is a challenge in itself to bring this task to a favourable conclusion.

75th year, November / 1997-3
http://www.cmt-wcl.org/en/pubs/labor97-3.html
info@cmt-wcl.org

World Confederation of Teachers denounces paradox in the field of education Top

In its comment 1997 on the joint UNESCO/ILO Committee on the Joint Recommendation of 1966 on the position of the teaching staff, the WCT arrives at the following conclusion.

The pursuit of modernity is pushing society and within society the educational systems in two opposite directions. On the one hand it is seen that the actors are seeking, within their limitations, to adjust in the best possible way to the technical evolution. This requires considerable financial investments, but also investments in human resources and a thorough analysis of the goals and structures of the educational systems.

On the other hand, the uniformisation as a result of the globalisation causes the identity awareness to grow. This finds expression in the emphasising of ethnic, linguistic, regional and other features. As a result of this evolution, society is creating ever higher expectations of the educational systems and the teachers. This, in turn, makes the teacher’s educational task more difficult and heightens the risk of a dualisation of society.

Though the education sector should have sufficient financial and human resources to play fully its role in a changing society, the financial structural adjustment programmes are given absolute priority and, at that, in the countries where the situation is not very rosy anyway. The adjustment programmes affect the public sector and therefore also the education sector and the teaching staff. The impact on the education sector varies according to the country and the original situation. Many countries which switched over from a command to a market economy underwent shock therapies. In most countries the public revenue dropped considerably, which resulted immediately in a drop in investments in the sector of education. The structural adjustment programmes, which were chiefly of a financial nature, followed each other in quick succession: measures to reduce the cost per student, decentralisation of the educational system, privatisation … Education and training are no longer a government priority.

This evolution has brought the education sector in a dual situation: more demands on the one hand, less resources on the other. A more complex economic situation in an increasingly knowledge-oriented society requires new qualifications and a new attitude. The education sector was "allotted" the task to comply with this demand. The UNESCO has observed that teachers are expected to assume other responsibilities: the curricula have to be revised, and new educational standards have to be worked out. Moreover, and certainly so if the decentralisation goes on, teachers have to help develop a new educational policy. Education as a whole can act as a driving force behind the search of solutions for the social and economic crisis. So as to enable teachers to take up these challenges, it is necessary to give them a specific training and new instruments which raise their motivation. This is not the case today. Indeed, as a result of the structural adjustment programmes investments in education have been reduced, and parents have to pay more. The budgetary decisions affect the teachers’ salaries, reduce their opportunities to further training and have an impact on the direct working circumstances: larger classes, inadequate (quantitative and/or qualitative) learning materials or materials which are not adjusted to the recent technological developments. It goes without saying that this also affects the quality and equality in education.

The foundation of each democratic educational system — ie the fact that society, and on its behalf the government, is to assume an inalienable responsibility for the education of its citizens — risks being undermined.

(Gaston De la Haye General Secretary of the WCT)

75th year, November / 1997-3
http://www.cmt-wcl.org/en/pubs/labor97-3.html
info@cmt-wcl.org

WCL activities around the 24^th congress Top

10-21/11/97: WCA Women’s Seminar: women in the informal sector - women in export processing zones - women in migration
24-25/11/97: 4th WCL International Women’s Conference: Globalisation and its impact on women and their families
26-27/11/97: WCL Inter-Trade Seminar: Impact of globalisation
28/11/97: WCL Trade Action Seminar: A response to the globalising enterprise
29/11/97: World Committee on Trade Action
1-6/12/97: 24th WCL Congress: Struggle to change course
6/12/97: WCL Confederal Board

75th year, November / 1997-3
http://www.cmt-wcl.org/en/pubs/labor97-3.html
info@cmt-wcl.org

Related sites Top

• PNUD-UNDP
  http://www.undp.org
  http://www.undp.org/undp/news/HDR97/index.htm
• UNESCO
  http://www.education.unesco.org/index.html
• on multinational organisations
  http://essential.org/El.html
  http://essential.org/monitor/monitor.html
  http://www.cleanclothes.org/1/intl.htm
• on textile industry and codes of conduct
  http://www.cleanclothes.org/1/monitor1.html
• on globalisation and social standards
  http://www.tuac.org/statemen/statemen.htm

Back to Labor Magazine Issues