PSI Asia Pacific - Utilities - Local Government Bulletin Blog

15 public sector trade unionists have been arrested in Turkey

2012-02-17T09:00:00.000+11:00

http://www.world-psi.org/en/15-public-sector-trade-unionists-have-been-arrested-turkey On 13 February 2012, 15 women union leaders and activists belonging to PSI and EPSU affiliates SES (Trade Union of Public Employees in Health and Social Services), Tüm Bel Sen (Union of All Municipality Civil Servants) and BES (Trade Union of Public Administration Employees); as well as to Education International (EI) affiliate Egitim Sen and to the Confederation of Civil Servants Trade Unions, KESK, (affiliated to the ITUC), were arrested and dragged from their homes in early morning raids. The police also invaded the unions’ head offices as part of a so-called police investigation. Advice PSI web www.world-psi.org

Water and sanitation are a human right - Europe

2012-02-16T08:54:00.000+11:00

http://www.world-psi.org/en/water-and-sanitation-are-human-right On 1 April the first European Citizens’ Initiative on water will be launched by a Citizens Committee fully supported by the European Federation of Public Service Unions. In all European countries our affiliated unions with its civil society allies are preparing for a campaign to promote implementation of the human right to water and sanitation. Advice PSI web www.world-psi.org

EPSU - Updates www.epsu.org

2012-02-15T15:30:00.000+11:00

Netherlands - The FNV Abvakabo trade union has called on local government employers to respond to its claims by 13th February. The union wants a job security agreement, a pay increase to protect purchasing power and more investment in permanent staff rather than temporary workers. It has rejected an offer from the employers that would mean a pay increase of only 1% over 31 months. Abvakabo argues that initiatives to retrain workers and find them alternative jobs will end up saving the authorities millions in the cost of unemployment benefit. CNV Publieke Zaak has also rejected the employers’ offer and is very disappointed in the failure to make progress in the negotiations. Advice http://www.epsu.org Sweden - The Kommunal local government union has rejected a proposal by the mayor of Stockholm that workers under the age of 25 should be offered jobs on pay rates at 75% of the minimum of the collective agreement. The union argues that there is a high demand for workers, particularly in the social care sector, but these workers need to be properly trained. It says it is willing to negotiate about the provision of training for young workers and also calls for more funding from central government. Advice http://www.epsu.org Austria - The GDG-KMSfB union has negotiated a pay deal for employees of local authorities in the Carinthia region. There is a 2.56% increase plus a flat-rate rise of €11,10 a month. This is the same as the main agreement negotiated at federal level but applies from 1.4.2012 rather than 1.2.2012. There will be further negotiations in 2013 in contrast to the arrangements covering employees of the regional government in Carinthia who get the same increase in 2012 but a pay freeze in 2013 and in 2014 the increase will be the same as at federal level. Advice http://www.epsu.org

FIJI TRADES UNION CONGRESS - Media Release 14th February

2012-02-14T15:43:00.000+11:00

FTUC Press Release No.17-04/12STATE PROCEEDINGS (AMENDMENT) DECREE 2012The free and democratic world is once again shocked to know about the newState Proceedings (Amendment) Decree 2012 promulgated by the regime. Itcame into force on 7th Feb, 2012.The provision of the Decree gives immunity to the Prime Minister and hisMinisters from being sued for defamation, libel or slander for any comments theymake against anyone, either in their official or personal capacity. It provides thatno media organization can be held liable for publication of statements whetherwritten or verbal from the PM and his Cabinet Ministers.The regime’s spin on the Decree is that it is intended to facilitate open and frankdiscussion between Government, the public and other stakeholders in the lead upto Fiji’s Parliamentary elections. The decree will expire upon the date when anew Parliament is convened which will have its usual privileges for statementsmade by Parliamentarians.The question that begs an answer is that there is no Parliament and no Oppositionparty so where does this privileged decree fit in with Parliamentary privilegeproviding immunity to unelected government ministers. Parliamentary privilegeonly applies to members of Parliament in Parliament and nowhere else.The ordinary citizens have to be mindful of Media Decree and the Public OrderAmendment Decree when they make any opposing Statement againstgovernment. The Decree basically allows the media to print the criticism from theregime and gives a wholesale license to make personal and defamatory remarksagainst their opponents in the lead up to the general elections in 2014. Thedecree also raises questions on the intent of the Regime and why it should onlyprotect itself when they have no ulterior motives. Surely, if they spoke the truthand had evidence, they do not need any such decree. The media equally need notfear if it reported facts and exercised fairness. We ask, Why isn't the generalpublic also given the same privileges so that open and frank public discussion isheld on the future of the Country and her people? This would surely ensure a"level playing field" that the AG is attempting to get the world to believe as hisreal intention.Professor Bill Hodge from Auckland University’s Law Faculty describes the Decreeas totally beserk, bananas and bizarre. He said the decree purports to changefundamental rights which can only be done by Statute. We agree.The State Proceedings (Amendment) Decree contradicts the Public Order(Amendment) Decree which grants safeguards against defamation, libel andslander. This contradiction surely points to the fact that the current sets ofDecrees are churned out by the regime in desperation for impending ConstitutionConsultations and elections in 2014, if it happens.- Advice from Fiji Trade Union Congress - contact e-mail ftuc1@connect.com.fj

England

2012-02-14T15:21:00.000+11:00

http://www.unison.org.uk/news/news_view.asp?did=7584 Trade unions involved in the long-running dispute over pay cuts at Southampton City Council in the south of England are taking legal action over the authority’s failure to consult properly over redundancies and over the unfair dismissal of 1,000 workers. The response of the Council was to allocate £600000 (€715000) from the money it has saved on salaries to a fund to pay compensation. The unions are planning a demonstration on 15 February outside the Council and a major demonstration in the City on 10 April - Advice from EPSU www.epsu.org

SPAIN

2012-02-13T15:17:00.000+11:00

The FSC-CCOO, FSP-UGT and other trade unions mobilised over 150,000 people on the streets of Madrid to protest against the cuts being imposed by the regional government. The unions are particularly angry about the increase in the working week from 35 to 37.5 hours and cuts to sick pay. Unions estimate that the increase in hours could lead to 8000 job cuts. They say the imposed measures are also an attack on their collective bargaining rights. Advice EPSU www.epsu.org

Greece - Two-day general strike against latest austerity measures

2012-02-13T15:09:00.000+11:00

The ADEDY civil service and GSEE private sector confederations organised another general strike on 7 and 8 February in protest against the latest austerity proposals to come from the troika of the International Monetary Fund, European Commission and European Central Bank. The new measures include a 22% cut in the minimum wage, 15% cut to supplementary pensions and a further cut of 15,000 public sector jobs. The attacks on workers’ rights and social dialogue have been taken up by the ETUC and the ITUC global confederation. Advice EPSU www.epsu.org

PSI stands in solidarity with the Greek trade union movement.

2012-02-13T00:00:00.000+11:00

http://www.world-psi.org/en/appeal-solidarity-greek-unions Advice PSI web www.world-psi.org

Japanese municipalities enact public contract ordinances to ensure working conditions

2012-02-10T01:00:00.000+11:00

http://www.world-psi.org/en/japanese-municipalities-enact-public-contract-ordinances-ensure-working-conditions(For the full story) - In December 2011 the cities of Tama, Metropolitan Tokyo, and Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, enacted public contract ordinances, as a result of which there are now four municipalities in Japan with such ordinances. The others are the cities of Noda, Chiba Prefecture, and Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, which enacted public contract ordinances in September 2009 and December 2010, respectively. In addition, the establishment of public contract ordinances is under consideration in such municipalities as Kokubunji, Metropolitan Tokyo, and Sapporo, Hokkaido. Public contracts are contracts concluded by the state or local governments with private companies, including nongovernmental organizations, relating to trade, leasing, contracting, consignment, and so on- Advice from PSI web www.world-psi.org

ASU - Public Services Bulletin - January 2012

2012-02-09T23:14:00.000+11:00

http://www.asu.asn.au/media/2012-01-publicservices.pdfThis edition contains the following items: Superannuation Roundtable; Australian workers will benefit from greater transparency of superannuation funds; Tackling Problem Gambling in Australia; EE-Oz Training Standards E-Bulletin; Water Industry Operators Association of Australia (WIOA) - Latest Bulletin; Speak Up for health and safety: new campaign begins to inform workers of their rights; plus more.

As a domestic worker in Paris - Like millions of young Filipino women

2012-02-09T01:05:00.000+11:00

http://www.ituc-csi.org/spotlight-interview-with-zita.html?lang=enwww.ituc-csi.org

International Women's Day - March 8th, 2012

2012-02-08T10:59:00.000+11:00

http://internationalwomensday.orgInternational Women's Day will be a fabulous global celebration of women past,present, and future ~ the largest gathering of women for International Women'sDay in the history of the world! On March 8th, 2012, the Women’s InformationNetwork (WIN) will present fabulous LIVEcelebrations in 176 counties! Women worldwide will connect tocelebrate and honour women past, present, and future, in many exciting ways.Amazing women celebrities, athletes, political leaders, and experts will speakabout women’s issues today. There will be live musical entertainment and muchmore! - Advice from International Womens Day Network Committee Web page http://internationalwomensday.org

Governments Urged to Act on UN Jobs and Social Protection Call

2012-02-07T01:00:00.000+11:00

http://www.ituc-csi.org/governments-urged-to-act-on-un.html The ITUC has welcomed calls by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for governments to act on job creation and universal social protection in a report being presented at the UN Commission on Social Development. The report and its recommendations are being discussed at the UN Economic and Social Council meeting in New York from 1-10 February. It acknowledges that the economic policies advised by international financial institutions over the last three decades, marked by deregulation, liberalization and privatization, have failed to address the root causes of poverty. The Report also reflects the trade union view that increasing workers’ bargaining power has a positive impact on reducing poverty and inequality, and that “the provision of minimum wages and employment protection can be important tools for an equitable distribution of productive opportunities and inclusive growth.”Importantly, the report recommends that governments consider the implementation of national social protection floors as a means to provide systemic insurance against poverty for all.The UN Secretary-General’s http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N11/590/98/PDF/N1159098.pdf?OpenElement Advice ITUC web www.ituc.org

Nepal: Child Labour and Forced Labour Remain Problems

2012-02-06T01:00:00.000+11:00

http://www.ituc-csi.org/nepal-child-labour-and-forced.html A new report by the ITUC on core labour standards in Nepal, published to coincide with the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) review of its trade policies, reveals some serious violations of fundamental workers’ rights including a high degree of prevalence of forced and child labour. Advice from ITUC web www.ituc-csi.org

Indonesia - Say NO to electricity privatisation

2012-02-03T14:36:00.000+11:00

PLN union members in Padang, South Sumatra demonstrated in front of the state electricity company office on 5 January 2012. The union and workers were holding a banner to reject a plan to privatise and download the public assets to local government (regionalised). The PLN union strongly opposes privatisation, knowing that this struggle is part and parcel of supporting and protecting the public interest by providing accessible and affordable electricity. Privatisation and regionalisation of PLN would directly affect the price of electricity, particularly in poorer provinces. The PLN union and their members will continue to strongly and tirelessly oppose privatisation of the electricity sector in Indonesia. For more information, please contact Mr. Dodo Dwi Soekmono, PLN Union General Secretary: plnunion.gs@gmail.com
Advice PSI AP NEWS

Decent work issues in ADB-funded projects in Bihar, India

2012-02-02T14:31:00.000+11:00

A research project commissioned by the ILO and undertaken by PSI in March-November 2011 has revealed serious issues with some projects funded by the Asian Development Bank. In New Delhi on 16 December 2011, two cases of involving Core Labour Standards (CLS) and decent work issues at ADB projects in Bihar were presented. In the study, trade unions raised concerns about the lack of implementation and monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance with CLS in ADB-financed projects. Several problems were encountered in the field, including violation of the rights of workers and trade unions at ADB project sites; the absence of a labour participation strategy; a failure to consult with and involve workers’ organisations/unions; a lack of timely disclosure of relevant information to workers organisations/unions; lack of adequate mitigation measures agreeable to affected workers; and a lack of grievance and monitoring mechanisms. For more information, please contact Mr. R. Kannan, Sub-regional Secretary for South Asia: psisouthasia1@airtelmail.in
Advice PSI AP News http://twitdoc.com/upload/psiglobalunion/2012-jan-ap-news.pdf

The crisis that hit the Fukushima nuclear power plant as a result of a terrible earthquake and tsunami has led to significant protests against nuclear power.

2012-02-01T01:00:00.000+11:00

www.jichiro.gr.jp/news/2011/12/111221.htm Participants say the disaster at Fukushima has made it absolutely clear that nuclear energy can irreparably damage the environment, ruin agriculture and fisheries, accelerate the food crisis and thereby threaten the human survival. On December 10, 2011 an event titled “GOOD BYE NUCLEAR POWER PLANT” was held. Many Japanese citizens gathered to support an effort to collect 10 million signatures on a petition. See more news at: www.jichiro.gr.jp/news/2011/12/111221.html
Advice from PSI AP NEWS http://twitdoc.com/upload/psiglobalunion/2012-jan-ap-news.pdf

PSI - the latest edition of FOCUS magazine

2012-01-31T00:30:00.000+11:00

www.world-psi.org/en/psi-focus-2011.Contains 32 pages of news about PSI and our affiliates, from austerity measures in the North to revolutions throughout the Arab world. “Public and private sector unions have united as never before to defend and advance democracy and quality public services,” says Peter Waldorff, PSI general secretary in his editorial message. The magazine is now available digitally on the PSI website or at this link: www.world-psi.org/en/psi-focus-2011 Advice PSI -
www.world-psi.org

PSI - AP News - January 2012

2012-01-30T14:42:00.000+11:00

http://twitdoc.com/upload/psiglobalunion/2012-jan-ap-news.pdf The next edition will be published in March, thanks much and best regards indah.budiarti@world-psi.org -Advice from Indah Budiarti Organising and Communication Coordinator - Asia and Pacific Public Services International

Labour leaders demand jobs, growth and equity as Chief Executives gather in Davos for World Economic Forum

2012-01-30T00:30:00.000+11:00

http://www.ituc-csi.org/labour-leaders-demand-jobs-growth.html The international union movement will put its case for the reform of capitalism at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week with five principles for dealing with current economic challenges. Addressing political and business chiefs, trade union leaders from Indonesia, USA and the UK and the international trade union movement will call for jobs and growth to be at the centre of plans to reboot the world economy.

Labour’s five principles for growth include:

1. Jobs –Five years of two per cent GDP invested in the green economy across six sectors in 12 countries can drive more than 55 million sustainable, decent jobs.

2. Social protection, sustainable demand and decent work - These should include a social protection floor in every country, with a global fund to kick-start development in the poorest countries; minimum wages on which people can live with dignity; and an expansion of collective bargaining to ensure fair work conditions.

3. Financial regulation - Governments must band together to stand up for the 'real economy' by putting a ban on algorithmic High Frequency Trading, regulating the credit rating agencies, and requiring transparency for the shadow banking system – the hedge funds and investment vehicles that transact trillions of dollars but fall outside national regulatory systems.

4. Fair and progressive taxation - It is time to repair the balance sheets of governments through a fair contribution from those that can afford to pay: through making corporations pay their fair share, urgently implementing a broad-based, low-rate Financial Transaction Tax to reduce speculation and provide a new source of government funding to invest in public services, social protection and development.

5. Climate action - Governments must find the political will required to save our children's future, by reducing emissions of industrialised countries by 25-40% by 2020, implementing a green climate fund and ensuring a just transition for workers and communities.

Advice ITUC www.ituc-csi.org

OECDdirect: New publications - 13/01/2012

2012-01-27T12:41:00.000+11:00

Divided We Stand
Why Inequality Keeps Rising

This book examines to which extent economic globalisation, skill-biased technological progress and institutional and regulatory reforms have had an impact on the distribution of earnings.

Now available from the Online Bookshop.

The Future of Families to 2030

This report explores likely future changes in family and household structures in OECD countries; identifies the main forces shaping the family landscape to 2030; discusses the longer-term challenges; and suggests policy options for managing the challenges.

Now available from the Online Bookshop.

Starting Strong III
A Quality Toolbox for Early Childhood Education and Care

This publication focuses on quality issues in early childhood education and care: it aims to define quality and outlines five policy levers that can enhance it.

Now available from the Online Bookshop.

Recruiting Immigrant Workers
Recruiting Immigrant Workers: Sweden 2011

This book answers the question of whether Sweden’s labour migration policy is efficiently working to meet labour market needs that were not being met, without adversely affecting the domestic labour market.

Now available from the Online Bookshop.

Trends towards Sustainability in the Nuclear Fuel Cycle

This report reviews developments in the fuel cycle over the past ten years, potential developments over the next decade and the outlook for the longer term.

Now available from the Online Bookshop.

Annual Report on the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises 2011
A New Agenda for the Future

The report provides a first assessment of the outcome of the 2011 Update of the Guidelines adopted at the OECD Ministerial Meeting and a compilation of ideas for future implementation. It also reports the actions taken by the 42 adhering governments from June 2010 to June 2011.

Now available from the Online Bookshop.

OECD Public Governance Reviews
Greece: Review of the Central Administration

This report analyses the issues, sets out the evidence, and makes recommendations for moving forward rapidly to strengthen Greek public governance.

Now available from the Online Bookshop.

Other reports in the series: OECD Public Governance Reviews.

OECD Guidelines on Insurer Governance

The OECD Guidelines on Insurer Governance offer a comprehensive set of principles on the governance of insurers that are intended to provide guidance and serve as a reference point for insurers, governmental authorities, and other relevant stakeholders in OECD and non-OECD countries.

Now available from the Online Bookshop.

Identification and Quantification of the Proceeds of Bribery

This study focuses on the identification and quantification of the proceeds of active bribery in international business transactions.

Now available from the Online Bookshop.

OECD Territorial Reviews
OECD Territorial Reviews: The Gauteng City-Region, South Africa 2011

Against the backdrop of South Africa’s achievements since the fall of apartheid, this Review evaluates measures to position economic development policy and to confront economic inequality in the Johannesburg/Pretoria region.

Now available from the Online Bookshop.

Other reports in the series: OECD Territorial Reviews.

Advice from OECD www.oecd.org

Public Services International supporting Pakistani trade unions against privatisation of the electricity sector.

2012-01-26T01:00:00.000+11:00

http://www.world-psi.org/en/pakistan-mobilisation-against-privatisation-electricity-sector Public Services International sent a letter to Pakistani trade unions strongly supporting the national mobilisation against privatisation of the electricity sector. The following link includes a range of press releases and local media items in pdf format (see full article at http://www.world-psi.org/en/pakistan-mobilisation-against-privatisation-electricity-sector ) Advice from PSI web www.world-psi.org

Public Services International is seeking to recruit a Project Coordinator in India and a Finance Coordinator in Singapore.

2012-01-25T00:30:00.000+11:00

Public Services International is looking for a suitably experienced person with high-level English language skills to work as Project Coordinator for a pilot project on adherence to core ILO standards in ADB projects in India. http://www.world-psi.org/en/finance-coordinator-psi-regional-office-singapore
Public Services International is looking for a suitably experienced person to work as Finance Coordinator for the PSI Regional Office for Asia-Pacific in Singapore. http://www.world-psi.org/en/project-coordinator-faridabad-india
Advice PSI web www.world-psi.org

Why we need public spending - by David Hall PSIRU

2012-01-24T00:30:00.001+11:00

http://www.psiru.org/reports/why-we-need-public-spending Public spending plays a vital positive role in economic and social development, contrary to rightwing political views. It supports half the jobs in the world - twice as many in the private sectro as in the public sector - and is crucial for investment in infrastructure, the provision of key services, and creating greatere equality. It is also the main way of financing action on climate change. Deficits have arisen because of the need to deal with the economic crisis, and because companies are failing to pay their fair share of tax burdnen. The IMF's call for deep cuts in spending should be resisted - http://www.psiru.org/sites/default/files/2010-10-QPS-pubspend.pdf
Advice from PSIRU web site http://www.psiru.org/

TONGA - PUBLIC SERVANTS TAKE THEIR GRIEVANCES OVER 50% FROM THEIR RETIREMENT FUND

2012-01-23T00:30:00.000+11:00

Thousands of publicservants have step up their Petitions to the highest level, the King of Tonga,over refusal by their Retirement Fund Board (RFB) to assist their financialhardship by returning 50% of their own contributions to their retirement funds. The NationalCommittee of the Public Service Association (PSA) decided yesterday, Monday 16January, to take up their grievances to the highest level in Tonga. Majority of the public servants believed that their RFB has unfairlydisadvantage about 98.5% of law abiding public servants because of theirinsecurity over the 1.5% that may be dismissed from the public service. Using theirrights under the Tongan Constitution, the public servants will besubmitting on Friday 20 January a petition on their grievances to the King forconsideration.Under theirrights in the Public Service (Grievances & Dispute Procedures)Regulations, the public servants will also be submitting on the same dayanother Petition on their grievances to the Public Service Commission &Cabinet for settlement. This petition is particular to their grievancesover the Section on Dismissal in the Public Service Instruction Policy Regulationof the Public Service Act whereby all their benefits are forfeit ifdismissed from the public service. This is the Regulation that the RFBhas used to disadvantage about 98.5% of the public servants from accessing 50%of their contributions in their retirement fund. The publicservants will also be submitting a Petition to Parliament to amend theRegulations on “” under the Public Service Act and also Regulations on“appointing and removal of their Representatives” to the RFB and their “duties”under the RRB Act. Regulationsare approved by Cabinet. However, if the Cabinet does not approve theirPetition through the Public Service Commission to amend the Regulation onDismissal, then their proposal is already in Parliament for consideration.The PSA willalso challenge the decision made by their RFB on their request at the SupremeCourt of Tonga in a judicial review. The chair of the RFB is the PrimeMinister of Tonga, Lord Tu’ivakano.It isexpected that thousands of public servants throughout Tonga including the outerislands will join in submitting their petitions to the King, Parliament, PSC& Cabinet on Friday 20^th January 2012. The PSA haspledged in 2005 after the first national strike of public servants which lasted6.5 weeks to do their utmost to avoid any industrial action through peacefuland meaningful negotiations with relevant parties under the Constitution andappropriate Laws of Tonga. For more information,please contact the Secretary General of PSA on +(676) 26-080 - Advice press release TONGA PSA - 17 January 2012.

Mass Dismissals at Municipal Council in Guatemala

2012-01-20T21:40:00.001+11:00

http://www.ituc-csi.org/mass-dismissals-at-municipal.html ITUC OnLine: The first measure taken by the newly elected authorities in the municipality of San José el Rodeo in San Marcos was to dismiss, on 16 January, all of its unionised employees. This unacceptable act, condemned by the trade union movement, implies the total destruction of the union representing municipal workers. According to the reports received by the ITUC, the measure was taken by the mayor of the municipality, Juan Francisco Aguilar Díaz, with the backing of the Partido Patriota (PP) councillors who had come into office just one day prior to the mass dismissal.The mayor had called all the workers to a meeting in the municipal hall on 16 January, and asked, in an intimidating fashion, who wanted their severance pay. Those employees not belonging to the newly-formed union accepted the severance pay and the loss of their posts. The general secretary of the municipal workers' union, speaking on behalf of those who refused, explained that they had decided to form a union in February 2011 with a view to defending their rights and their job security. The mayor responded that all the workers present were, in any case, being dismissed with immediate effect."Such action constitutes a serious violation of the right to work and freedom of association," underlined ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow. "These rights are enshrined in the Political Constitution of the Republic of Guatemala, Municipal Law, and Conventions 87 and 98 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO)." In a letter http://www.ituc-csi.org/despidos-masivos-en-la.html?lang=es to the Guatemalan authorities, the ITUC, together with its affiliated organisations in Guatemala, urged President Otto Pérez Molina and his Labour Minister to take urgent action to ensure the reinstatement of all the dismissed workers; to strengthen the rule of law; to end impunity, and to convert Guatemala into a country where working people's fundamental rights are respected.The ITUC represents 175 million workers in 153 countries and territories and has 308 national affiliates. Advice ITUC website: http://www.ituc-csi.org and http://www.youtube.com/ITUCCSI

Norway - Union opposition to Temporary Agency Work Directive

2012-01-20T10:07:00.000+11:00

http://www.fagforbundet.no/forsida/?article_id=70255The Fagforbundet municipal union will be joining other unions in a day ofaction on 18 January against implementation of the Temporary Agency WorkDirective in Norway. Trade unions are concerned that the legislation willundermine collective agreements that set pay rates and limitations on the useof temporary agency work and will transfer final authority on these issues tothe EU/EFTA court that rules on the implementation of EU legislation in Norway. Advice EPSU – www.epsu.org

UK - Living wage campaign boosts workers’ pay by £33 million

2012-01-20T10:05:00.000+11:00

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/the-penny-finally-drops-pay-people-properly-and-you-will-get-better-results-6283794.html A report by Queen Mary College, University of London estimates that lowpaid workers have seen their pay increase by £33 million (€40 million ) since2010 as a result of a successful campaign to get employers signed up to aliving wage. A number of major private and public sector employers in Londonhave agreed to apply a £8.30 (€10.00) an hour minimum wage instead of thecurrent £6.08 (€7.40) National Minimum Wage rate for adults. Employers arerecognising the benefits of this in terms of increased productivity and lowerturnover rates Advice EPSU – www.epsu.org

Sweden - Collective bargaining claim focuses on Improved conditions for young and temporary workers

2012-01-19T10:09:00.000+11:00

http://vision.se/Opinion/Pressmeddelande/2011/Battre-villkor-for-unga-och-visstidsanstallda3/ The Vision white-collar union has submitted its payand conditions claim to the KFS employers’ organisation. The claim coversVision’s 7400 members who work for private companies providing services inlocal government, energy and water. As well as a general pay increase the unionis calling for temporary workers to get permanent contracts if they have beenon temporary contracts for two years. It also wants employees to have morecontrol over their working time as well as additional leave for those with only25 days’ leave. Advice EPSU – www.epsu.org

News From Europe - Sweden - Municipal unions signs agreement covering technical workers

2012-01-19T10:03:00.000+11:00

http://www.kommunal.se/Kommunal/Nyheter/2012/Nytt-kollektivavtal-med-EIO/ The Kommunal local government union has signed a new collectiveagreement with the EIO employers’ organisation. The agreement will coverworkers employed by EIO companies that provide technical and property servicesto local and regional authorities. The agreement provides for adult rates ofpay at the age of 18 with a minimum pay rate of SEK 16600 (€1875) a monthrising to SEK 18000 (€2030) in the second year plus any negotiated increase.The agreement includes details on skills development, linking skill levels topay Advice EPSU – www.epsu.org

News From Europe - Sweden - Municipal unions signs agreement covering technical workers

2012-01-18T10:02:00.000+11:00

News From Europe - Germany - Federal and local negotiations to begin on 1st March

2012-01-17T09:56:00.000+11:00

http://ver-und-entsorgung.verdi.de/tarifarbeitPublic services union ver.di is preparing for negotiations over one of the mainpublic sector agreements that will begin on 1st March. These will cover Federaland Local Government; regional government workers are covered by a separateagreement. The collective bargaining committee for Federal and Local Governmentwill meet on 9 February to decide on the main elements of this year’s payclaim. The agreement includes publicly-owned utilities and one of the aims ofthe negotiations will be to prevent a gap opening up between the public andprivate sector where pay increases recently have been in the order of 3% ormore. Advice EPSU – www.epsu.org

News From Europe - UK Unions agree to further talks on local government pensions

2012-01-17T01:00:00.000+11:00

http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=2559 The main municipal unions, UNISON and GMB, have agreed to undertakenegotiations on changes to the local government pension scheme followingcommitments from the local government employers and the government. Thisfollows the public sector-wide strike action on pensions on 30 November lastyear and confusion over the government position just before Christmas. Theunions now think there is a reasonable framework for negotiations and that thefeared significant short-term increase in employee contribution rates will notnow take place. The Unite trade union has rejected proposals on the healthsector pension scheme while UNISON, the biggest health union is consultingmembers over the proposals . Advice EPSU – www.epsu.org

ITUC - A new decree introduced by Fiji’s military rulers on January 5 have lead to a chorus of criticism from trade unions, human rights advocates, church leaders and governments, according to the ITUC .

2012-01-16T01:28:00.000+11:00

http://www.ituc-csi.org/fiji-military-entrenches.html 13 January 2012 (ITUC OnLine): A new decree introduced by Fiji’s militaryrulers on January 5 have cemented the dictatorship leading to a chorus of criticism from trade unions,human rights advocates, church leaders and governments. This movefollowed on the heels of a New Year’s speech in which the Prime Ministerannounced that the much criticized Public Emergency Regulations (PER) of 2009were to be scrapped effective January 7, a move cautiously welcomed by someGovernments and the United Nations. However, the new decree, amending thePublic Order Act of 1969, incorporates and expands many of the powers found inthe PER. To read thenew decree: http://www.fiji.gov.fj/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=59&Itemid=158 ITUC analysis of the new decree:http://www.ituc-csi.org/fiji-public-order-amendment-decree.html - Advice from ITUC http://www.ituc-csi.org/

Labour Start Mexico: Support electrical workers union

2012-01-13T02:07:00.000+11:00

http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=1239 - On October 10, 2009, police and military forces forcibly removed over 44,000 electrical workers from over 400 workplaces across the central Mexico region. The workers are represented by the Mexican Electrical Workers Union (SME, Sindicato Mexicano de Electrisistas) and worked for the electrical company Luz y Fuerza del Centro. The presidential decree that the security forces acted upon dissolved the company, intentionally and illegally breaking one of Mexico's oldest and strongest collective bargaining agreements. The assets and facilities that had previously belonged to LyFC were transferred to another state-owned electrical company, Comision Federal de Electricidad (CFE, or Federal Electricity Commission) which operates with a sweetheart union and subcontracts much of its work to small and unregulated private outfits. The work that was previously performed by highly skilled union workers in safe conditions is now carried out by mainly undocumented workers with no real union rights. These workers face serious risks in the workplace; 30 have died - electrocuted- in the 2 years since Luz y Fuerza was shut down...join the Labour Start Campaig to help these Electricity workers at
http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=1239
Advice from Labour Start http://www.labourstart.org/

Focus on the Global South - CALL FOR APPLICATIONS Exec Director

2012-01-13T00:44:00.000+11:00

http://www.focusweb.org/content/executive-director Job Title: Executive Director - Location: Based in Bangkok, Thailand - About Focus on the Global SouthFocus on the Global South is an Asia-based policy research think tank, with headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, and country presence in the Philippines and India. For more than fifteen years, Focus has been one of the leading critical voices on globalisation, governance and development, grounded in its commitment to social, ecological and gender justice, peoples’ democracy and plurality- Advice FOCUS http://www.focusweb.org/

Australia - ASU - Public Services Bulletin - December 2011

2012-01-12T10:22:00.000+11:00

http://www.asu.asn.au/media/publicsector/20120104_publicservices.html This edition contains the following items: Library, Information andCultural Services Training Package; Local Government Expert Panel reports toGovernment on Constitutional Recognition of Local Government; Call for comment on A-trailer charging options; Who is the NationalSkills Standards Council; Announcement of a review on Fair Work legislation;plus more - http://www.asu.asn.au/media/2011-12-publicservices.pdf

United Nations - High Commission on Human Rights - "Rights to Water and Sanitation"

2012-01-11T00:30:00.000+11:00

The Human Rights Council will be devoted to "Stigmatization in the realization of the rights to water and sanitation" and the annual report to the General Assembly to the MDGs and the post 2015 development agenda.
The Special Rapporteur plans to organise a Public Consultation on 26 January in Geneva in order to seek input to her report on stigmatization and to benefit from diverse views and perspectives.
All stakeholders are encouraged to submit their views on the issue of stigmatization in the realization of the rights to water and sanitation in writing. In particular, the Special Rapporteur would welcome submissions that reflect the experience of groups and individuals who experience stigmatization. In particularly the following questions:
• Which groups and individuals experience stigmatization?
• How are different groups and individuals affected?
• How is stigmatization relevant to access to water and sanitation?
• What measures are being taken to address and overcome stigmatization?
In order to enable the Special Rapporteur to consider submissions, we encourage you to submit your contributions at your earliest convenience and no later than 31 January 2012. Submissions can be transmitted electronically to srwatsan@ohchr.org (encouraged) or be addressed to:
Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation
ESCR Section
Special Procedures Branch
UNOG-OHCHR
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Fax: +41 22 917 90 06

Advice passed on PSI Utilities Officer David Boys David.Boys@world-psi.org

United Nations - High Commission on Human Rights - Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises

2012-01-10T01:00:00.000+11:00

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Business/Pages/WGHRandtransnationalcorporationsandotherbusiness.aspx
the United Nations - High Commission on Human Rights -1st session: 16 - 20 January 2012.
Informal exchange with member states on 19 January 2012. Informal exchange with other stakeholders on 20 January 2012
Back Ground - At its seventeenth session, in resolution A/HRC/17/4, the Human Rights Council decided to establish a Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises, consisting of five independent experts, of balanced geographical representation, for a period of three years, and requested the Working Group:

•To promote the effective and comprehensive dissemination and implementation of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Implementing the United Nations “Protect, Respect and Remedy” Framework;

•To identify, exchange and promote good practices and lessons learned on the implementation of the Guiding Principles and to assess and make recommendations thereon and, in that context, to seek and receive information from all relevant sources, including Governments, transnational corporations and other business enterprises, national human rights institutions, civil society and rights-holders;

•To provide support for efforts to promote capacity-building and the use of the Guiding Principles, as well as, upon request, to provide advice and recommendations regarding the development of domestic legislation and policies relating to business and human rights;

•To conduct country visits and to respond promptly to invitations from States;

•To continue to explore options and make recommendations at the national, regional and international levels for enhancing access to effective remedies available to those whose human rights are affected by corporate activities, including those in conflict areas;

•To integrate a gender perspective throughout the work of the mandate and to give special attention to persons living in vulnerable situations, in particular children;

•To work in close cooperation and coordination with other relevant special procedures of the Human Rights Council, relevant United Nations and other international bodies, the treaty bodies and regional human rights organizations;

•To develop a regular dialogue and discuss possible areas of cooperation with Governments and all relevant actors, including relevant United Nations bodies, specialized agencies, funds and programmes, in particular the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Global Compact, the International Labour Organization, the World Bank and its International Finance Corporation, the United Nations Development Programme and the International Organization for Migration, as well as transnational corporations and other business enterprises, national human rights institutions, representatives of indigenous peoples, civil society organizations and other regional and subregional international organizations;

•To guide the work of the Forum on Business and Human Rights;

•To report annually to the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly.

Extract from UN HCHR http://www.ohchr.org/

India - Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) - Good Practice Scheme

2012-01-09T11:59:00.000+11:00

http://www.clgf.org.uk/index.cfm/PageID/12/viewtype/1/fullarticle/215 - Aurangabad, India hosted a two-day national national dissemination workshop on local government good practice from 22-23 September. The theme of the workshop, run by CLGF in collaboration with the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation was service delivery and community engagement, with good practice and lessons from partnerships between councils in India and the UK and South Africa. Read more at http://www.clgf.org.uk/index.cfm/PageID/12/viewtype/1/fullarticle/215

Advice (extract) http://www.clgf.org.uk/

December - PSI APREC Utility / Local Government Bulletin (last months News).

2012-01-09T01:42:00.000+11:00

http://www.asu.asn.au/media/international/20120106_psi-aprec.html This edition contains the following items: Friends of the Earth International - Exposing the corporate capture of UN institutions; Cuts Watch - This website monitors what is happening to public spending and public services around the world; Austria: trade unions back campaign for better financing of local government services; Finland: Many municipalities plan to recall work that has been outsourced; "Pacific Civil Society Says: Slow down! Experimental Seabed mining is not a sustainable development option"; European Commission has now published the energy roadmap 2050; 10 facts about public-private partnerships (PPPs); plus more. http://www.asu.asn.au/media/gm-psi-aprec-bulletin2011-12.pdf

International Women's Day - March 8th, 2012

2012-01-08T11:10:00.000+11:00

http://internationalwomensday.org International Women's Day will be a fabulous global celebration of women past, present, and future ~ the largest gathering of women for International Women's Day in the history of the world! On March 8th, 2012, the Women’s Information Network (WIN) will present fabulous LIVE celebrations in 176 counties! Women worldwide will connect to celebrate and honor women past, present, and future, in many exciting ways. Amazing women celebrities, athletes, political leaders, and experts will speak about women’s issues today. There will be live musical entertainment and much more! - Advice from International Womens Day Network Committee Web page http://internationalwomensday.org

Labourstart - URGENT - Electricity Power Workers' Union GENOP/DEI - Trade union leaders face 5 years in prison this Tuesday

2012-01-07T10:50:00.000+11:00

http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=1231 On Thursday 24 November 2011, the Greek police arrested Nikos Photopoulos, President of the power workers' union GENOP/DEI, along with more than a dozen of his fellow trade unionists. They will appear in court on Tuesday 10 January 2012 to face charges that could see them jailed for up to five years. They were protesting against part of the Greek austerity measures - the cutting off of power to people unable or unwilling to pay a new, swingeing property tax, levied regardless of income or wealth. Greek trade union confederation GSEE, is calling for the charges to be dropped. Act NOW !! at http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=1231 more back ground at http://www.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-20450-f0.cfm
Advice from Labourstart http://www.labourstart.org/

Urbanisation in the Pacific -

2012-01-06T11:56:00.000+11:00

http://www.clgfpacific.org/latest-news/viewtype/1/fullarticle/220/ The population of the Pacific, currently estimated to be 10 million, is expected to increase to 15 million within 25 years. Populations are continuing to relocate from rural to urban areas, with many towns experiencing urban growth at rates twice the national average. Around sixty delegates from across the region met in Nadi, Fiji from 29 November – 2 December to forge links between local government and national planners, assessing sustainable urban infrastructure opportunities and discussing strategic climate change adaptation measures in towns and cities.
Advice (extract) CLGF www.clgf.org.uk

Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) - Latest bulletin (December)

2012-01-05T11:49:00.000+11:00

http://www.clgf.org.uk/e-news/viewarchive/49/ CLGF news - news and issues include -
India: new roads to using plastic waste - Waste plastic is being used in constructing roads in the city of Pune. Half a km of the road was recently repaired by integrating plastic with tar known as polymer-modified bitumen, thus making good use of discarded plastic. This move has been carried out with the advocacy of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to prevent the persistent problem of potholes on the roads and to increase the resistance to water at a lower construction cost.
Kenya: local government investment web portal - The Ministry of Local Government and The World Bank’s Group’s Investment Climate Program has launched the Local Government Investment Climate Web Portal (LGIC), developed to use ICT to enhance service delivery. This portal supports inter-agency communication and peer-to-peer learning amongst local authorities officers by providing a secure environment for learning, knowledge development and sharing of experiences. The portal is to contain knowledge and learning resources on local government reform and rapid results Initiatives, including resources from the local government investment climate reforms. Read more
Urbanisation in the Pacific - The population of the Pacific, currently estimated to be 10 million, is expected to increase to 15 million within 25 years. Populations are continuing to relocate from rural to urban areas, with many towns experiencing urban growth at rates twice the national average. Around sixty delegates from across the region met in Nadi, Fiji from 29 November – 2 December to forge links between local government and national planners, assessing sustainable urban infrastructure opportunities and discussing strategic climate change adaptation measures in towns and cities.
Local government climate forum - Local governments from around the world have demonstrated their commitment to combat climate change through the signing of the Durban Adaptation Charter, during the Local Government Climate Forum. The forum, organised by ICLEI took place in the fringes of the United Nations climate conference in Durban, South Africa from 28 November – 9 December. Mayors, governors and chairs of local government associations from in made this ground-breaking local government commitment toward urgent, decisive, measurable, reportable and verifiable climate commitments. Through national associations, large numbers of local governments from Tanzania, Namibia, Mauritius, Nigeria and South Africa also joined in supporting this Charter.
Advice CLGF www.clgf.org.uk

Australia welcomes lifting of Public Emergency Regulations in Fiji

2012-01-04T17:16:00.002+11:00

http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2012/kr_mr_120102.html - in seperate media (reported by AAP in the SMH see below link ) Richard Marles also pointed out the country's media and essential services decrees - which impose strict limits on press and union freedom - remain in place.
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/australia-welcomes-fiji-democracy-moves-20120102-1phxv.html

Pakistan - Struggle of 1,30,000 WAPDA Electricity Workers Against Proposed Privatization

2012-01-04T13:36:00.000+11:00

130,000 WAPDA Electricityworkers have been making concerted struggle against proposed privatization of nationalpublic utility of electricity Generation and Distribution which is being carried out by the Government on thebehest of IMF and World Bank. Their representative trade union namely Pakistan WAPDA Hydro Electric Central LabourUnion (CBA) held mass demonstrations in all over the country on 1.11.2011, 8.12.2011, 14.12.2011and recentlybefore the National Parliament on 21^st December, 2011 urging thatthe proposed privatization would be against the public interest since it wouldnot be able to provide cheaper and sufficient electricity which could only be assured by establishingCoal-Fired Thermal Power Stations and Hydel Power Stations in the publicsector. They also urged for restoring the administrative control of Distribution and GenerationCompanies to PEPCO in the interest of maintaining efficiency as well as demanded forrecovery of electricitydues from Karachi Electric Supply Company and other Government agenciesamounting to more than Rupees one trillion. Resultantly, the Minister for Water and Power, Governmentof Pakistanhas invited the representatives of the Union for a meeting on 30^thDecember, 2011 at Islamabad.

Advice from Osama Tariq - Additional General Secretary Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Central Labour Union C.B.A Lahore Pakistan pwf@brain.net.pk

Australian Local Government Innovation and Knowledge Exchange Network

2012-01-04T00:30:00.000+11:00

http://www.iken.net.au/ Welcome to IKEN, the Australian Local Government Innovation and Knowledge Exchange Network. This interactive online space provides a range of tools, resources and support for information exchange, collaboration, mutual learning and shared insights. There are many opportunities for engagement through forums, discussion groups, case studies, multi-media (in development), opinion pieces and regular blogs with opportunity for comment, ideas and feedback from stakeholders. Advice IKEN web site - http://www.iken.net.au/

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance

2012-01-03T00:30:00.000+11:00

http://www.clgf.org.uk/e-news/viewarchive/50 - No 8/9 May/November 2011 - Special Issue: Commonwealth Local Government Conference, Cardiff 2011 - Table of Contents
Editorial: Sustainable Democracy, Development and Environmental Policies - Steve Martin and Alison Brown
Research and Evaluation
Place-based Leadership in a Global Era - Robin Hambleton
Local Governments in Rural West Bengal, India and their Coordination with Line Departments - Bhaskar Chakrabarti, Raghabendra Chattopadhyay, Suman Nath
Cabinet Governance and Political Stability in English Urban Councils - Stephen Greasley
Local Government Improvement in England: Policies, Progress and Prospects - Steve Martin
Municipal Local Economic Development and the Multiplier effect: Piloting a Community Enterprise Identification Method in South Africa and Namibia - Lucienne Heideman
Public Sector Responses to Climate Change: Evaluating the Role of Scottish Local Government in Implementing the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 - Tony Jackson, William Lynch
Commentary
Professionalising Local Government Leadership: A Foundational Imperative - Olubunmi Ajayi
Reconceptualising Shared Services - Peter McKinlay
The Local Capacity, Local Community and Local Governance Dimensions of Sustainability in Australian Local Government - Brian Dollery, Lin Crase, Bligh James Grant
News and Reviews
Book Review: Municipal Infrastructure Financing: Innovative Practices from Developing Countries (Edited by Munawwar Alam) - Kevin Tayler
Conference Notes
The 2011 Commonwealth Local Government Conference: Energising Local Economies: An Overview – Sue Rhodes
All the above loacted at http://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/ojs/index.php/cjlg/issue/view/191/showToc

Advice CLGF http://www.clgf.org.uk/

Friends of the Earth International - Exposing the corporate capture of UN institutions - How corporations rule: introduction

2011-12-30T17:14:00.000+11:00

http://www.foei.org/en/what-we-do/corporate-capture/exposing-the-corporate-capture-of-un-institutionsExposing the complex and largely hidden world of corporate pressure exertedover national and international climate and environmental policy -http://www.foei.org/en/resources/publications/pdfs/2011/sasol-report/view Friendsof the Earth International, web site for more information http://www.foei.org/

Cuts Watch - This website monitors what is happening to public spending and public services around the world

2011-12-29T00:30:00.000+11:00

http://www.psiru.org/cutswatch includes Australia, China , India, Indonesia, New Zealand, Russia, USA - The PSIRU (Public Services International Research Unit) Cuts Watch report series is commissioned by Public Services International - Advice PSIRU www.priru.org
(nb you will need to click on the country 'name' to have the report link drop down)

Austria: trade unions back campaign for better financing of local government services

2011-12-28T10:54:00.000+11:00

http://www.epsu.org/a/8284 Over 140 mayors from across the political spectrum have signed up to a campaign for improved funding of local government services. The campaign is calling for a re-negotiation of the federal Austrian financial distribution system, which the national government plans to undertake in 2013. By doing this, the various groups in the ‘Communal Resolution Campaign’ want to promote a new type of dialogue and alliance-building between trade unions, civil society, local politicians and communal political bodies. - Advice EPSU www.epsu.org

"Pacific Civil Society Says: Slow down! Experimental Seabed mining is not a sustainable development option"

2011-12-27T00:30:00.001+11:00

Dear friends and colleagues, Please help support our petition on experimental seabed mining at a crucial time in the Pacific. "As we move toward the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20 in June 20121, and in view of the Nadi Conference on Seabed Mining co-organised by the government of Fiji and the International Seabed Authority2, we the undersigned civil society groups write to express our deep concern over steps taken to legitimize and fast-track experimental seabed mining as a development option in the Pacific region...": at http://www.dawnnet.org/advocacy-appeals.php

In response to current efforts to legitimatize experimental seabed mining through the development of legislation, a new Pacific movement is being launched to express our deep concern over steps taken to legitimize and fast-track experimental seabed mining as a development option in the Pacific.
We stood together as a region when nuclear proliferation was being pushed by external parties, and we will do so again against new forms of human rights violations and unsustainable development, such as the kind being pushed based on danger-filled extractive industries.

We ask you to join us by doing the following:

First, please sign on to the Petition -Full text attached. Send your name and organisational details to the following emails: research@pang.org.fj or coordinator@pang.org.fj
The petition which is launched today 1st of December will be open for signatories until the end of February 2012 where we will present the petition to heads of governments of the 15 Pacific countries included in the European Union funded project titled "Deep Sea Minerals in the Pacific Islands Region: a Legal and Fiscal Framework for Sustainable Resource Management".
Second, we would really appreciate it if you promote this petition on your sites and through your respective networks so that we can get as many signatures as we can before the end of February 2012.
Thirdly we would be grateful if you could keep us posted on the status of the petition.
Lastly if there are any new developments on the topic at the national level please do keep us updated.
For further information please contact: + (679) 3316 722

Fay Volatabu
General Secretary
National Council of Women Fiji
9 LeHunte Street
Box 840 Suva
email: secretary@ncwfiji.org or ncwfgs1@gmail.com
phone:[679] 3562725

Finland: Many municipalities plan to recall work that has been outsourced

2011-12-27T00:30:00.000+11:00

http://www.epsu.org/a/8307 A new survey by the JHL public services union has found that many municipalities and joint authorities are disappointed with the results of outsourcing. And the dissatisfaction is so great that up to a fifth of these public organizations plan to take back outsourced work so that it can be done once again by their own personnel - Advice EPSU www.epsu.org

Newunionism latest bulletin is out at

2011-12-26T12:53:00.000+11:00

http://www.newunionism.net/ - advice Peter Hall Jones phj@newunionism.net

Australia - Panel reports to Government on Constitutional Recognition of Local Government

2011-12-24T10:34:00.001+11:00

http://www.minister.regional.gov.au/sc/releases/2011/december/sc154_2011.aspx Local Government Minister Simon Crean (22nd December) released the report by the independent Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Local Government. Mr Crean said Labor's commitment to recognition of local government in the Constitution was strong and long-held and that the Expert Panel's work would play an important role in informing the community on the issue and assisting the Government on the best way forward.

Mr Crean said it was vital to protect the Commonwealth Governments ability to directly fund local government. "Our experience with programs like Roads to Recovery and the recent stimulus package demonstrate the importance, the appropriateness and the advantages of being able to provide funding directly to local government," Mr Crean said.

"Local government was in a unique position to provide shovel ready projects and the ability to directly fund those projects was important to the success of the stimulus and the roads program in delivering jobs and much needed infrastructure.
"We also know that the ability of the Commonwealth to directly fund local government can create a relationship that supports, facilitates and drives collaboration among all three levels of government.

"It can also leverage additional investment in the regions which is good for local communities and for the country."

Chaired by former Chief Justice of the NSW Supreme Court, the Hon James Spigelman AC QC, the Expert Panel was asked to identify options for the constitutional recognition of local government and report on the level of support for constitutional recognition in the community. A majority of the Panel members found that financial recognition is the only option with a reasonable chance to succeed at a referendum, provided steps are taken to secure the support of the States and achieve broader public awareness and engagement.

"The Expert Panel consulted widely with stakeholder groups and the community to look into the options for including local government in the Constitution," Mr Crean said. "I thank Justice Spigelman and panel members for their efforts in implementing a national consultation process and for delivering their findings within the given timeframe." Mr Crean noted the Federal Coalition's support for the recognition of local government and, in particular, the ability of the Commonwealth to fund local government. "The Government will now take time to consider the community's views and details of the report before providing comment in early 2012." The Government appointed the independent Panel in August 2011, with representatives from a range of backgrounds and areas of expertise.The Panel's report is available at www.localgovrecognition.gov.au or at http://www.localgovrecognition.gov.au/content/final-report

ASU assistantnational secretary and PSI Activist Greg Mclean was a member of the ExpertPanel - Greg was one of the majority supporting a referendum for "financialrecognition"

Earlier related items from Greg Mclean @ ASU web include -

http://www.asu.asn.au/media/localgovt/20110818_constitution.html

http://www.asu.asn.au/media/localgovt/20110922_constitution.html

http://www.asu.asn.au/media/localgovt/20111223_localgovt.html

European Commission has now published the energy roadmap 2050.

2011-12-23T00:30:00.000+11:00

http://ec.europa.eu/energy/energy2020/roadmap/doc/com_2011_8852_en.pdf EPSU achieves recognition of the social dimension of the roadmap. In section 3.4 you can now read the following: "The social dimension of the energy roadmap is important. The transition will affect employment and jobs, requiring education and training and a more vigorous social dialogue. In order to efficiently manage change, involvement of social partners at all levels will be necessary in line with just transition and decent work principles. Mechanisms that help workers confronted with job transitions to develop their employability are needed." The inclusion of this paragraph is a direct consequence of the lobby EPSU has done . Advice
Jan Willem GOUDRIAAN EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE UNIONS www.epsu.org

labourstart you can advise of your Unions ' labour rights' challenges at

2011-12-22T02:00:00.000+11:00

http://www.labourstart.org/gotnews.shtml - for more information http://www.labourstart.org/

Labour start - have you subscribed are you letting labour start know your issues ?

2011-12-22T01:47:00.000+11:00

http://www.labourstart.org/ - have you joined the labourstart e-mail list , are you helping other Union Members and the Unions , fight for what is right ? and defend unions and their Members rights - you can advise of your Unions challenges at http://www.labourstart.org/gotnews.shtml - See labourstart for more information http://www.labourstart.org/

Australia - Cuts Watch - Oct 2011 - Public Services International Research Unit

2011-12-21T18:26:00.000+11:00

http://www.psiru.org/node/16081 Advice PSIRU web site www.psiru.org

newunionism.net/

2011-12-20T12:52:00.000+11:00

http://www.newunionism.net/

PSIRU "EPSU briefing “10 facts about public-private partnerships (PPPs)"

2011-12-20T00:30:00.000+11:00

http://www.epsu.org/a/8193 On the problems that PPPs can cause. We hope that this will be useful to you in the upcoming discussions on the European Commission’s (EC) legislative proposal regarding concessions. http://www.epsu.org/IMG/pdf/factsheet.pdf Advice Jan Willem GOUDRIAAN - EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE UNIONS h ttp://www.epsu.org

UN BACKED DELEGATION TO INVESTIGATE HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES - Fiji

2011-12-19T01:00:00.000+11:00

http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/201112/3385970.htm?desktop The International Labour Organisation (a united nations secretariat) has agreed to send a delegation of government and business officials to Fiji, amid concerns about growing human rights abuses there.

Kazakhstan: Stop police violence against strikers

2011-12-18T00:06:00.000+11:00

http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=1211 On Friday December 16th a celebration of Independence Day in the Western Kazakhstan city of Zhanaozen ended up with violent clashes between police and protesting oil workers who have been striking since May, demanding wage increases. It has been reported that oil workers planned to have a peaceful rally on Zhanaozen's main square but were attacked. According to report we have received, armed police were sent against the demonstrators. Some reports say the police used their weapons and some protestors were killed or injured.Please send a message to the Kazakhstan authorities calling on them to cease violence against their own people - Advice www.labourstart.org

Daily Dawn - Pakistan

2011-12-16T12:04:00.000+11:00

http://www.dawn.com/2011/11/02/power-firm-workers-protest-across-sindh.html Pakistan Newspaper The Daily Dawn - The Pakistan Workers Federation has advisedof a report in the Daily Dawn newspaper around workers protests on the unbundlingand leasing (privatisation) of electricity assets in Pakistan - Advice from Osama Tariq Deputy General Secretary Pakistan Workers Federation pwf@brain.net.pk

WAPDA Hydro Electric Central Labour Union - Pakistan

2011-12-16T01:00:00.000+11:00

WAPDA members have rallied against electricity privatisation - the rally was also reported in Pakistan news papers such as the news - http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=10866&Cat=13&dt=12/9/2011 - Advice from Osama Tariq Deputy General Secretary Pakistan Workers Federation.

ASU opposes Fed Govt’s Draft Energy White Paper on sector reform – no further privatisation of electricity generation

2011-12-15T01:00:00.000+11:00

http://www.asu.asn.au/media/utilities_energy/20111214_electricity.html The Australian Government has released two major electricity announcements in the last few days. The first calls for the Productivity Commission to examine electricity industry network regulation. The second and more urgent release is the Draft Energy White Paper concerned with energy sector reform. The ASU strongly opposes the propositions in the White Paper.

The Draft White Paper calls for privatisation of state owned electricity generation assets. This position is opposed by the ASU, industry academics and industry stake holders.

The ASU believes reform should be more concerned with the function of the generators, inside or outside the market, not about ownership.

The ASU notes it has long been a Federal Government policy that generation ownership is up to state governments - that's where it needs to be argued. The ASU's position is that state governments do and should own power stations - they provide electricity for homes, business, regional employment and much more. We have had public electricity generation by state (and local government) for well over 100 years in this country. There have been many electricity industy reforms in that time and public ownership by governments has been part of that essential service.

The ASU will be making a strong submission to the Federal Government that state governments should continue to own power stations.

We call on the Federal Government to reject any change to the ownership model and look at the functions and the important role state owned generators play.

In addition to supporting the ASU submission against the Draft White Paper, members can advise their Federal MP of their concerns for regional jobs, employment and any ALP policy change.

In relation to the Productivity Commission investigation, the ASU will be making submissions. ASU electricity industry members would be aware that the Federal Government, through the Australian Energy Regulator, determines the network charges (by the network owners) of electricity distribution in both transmission and distribution. ASU has previously made representations to the Australian Energy Regulator.

Releases and resources

Minister's media release: "Productivity Commission to Examine Electricity Network Regulation"
http://minister.ret.gov.au/MediaCentre/MediaReleases/Pages/ProductivityCommissionExamineElectricityRegulation.aspx
Productivity Commission webpage for the inquiry:
http://www.pc.gov.au/projects/inquiry/electricity
Minister's media release: "Draft Energy White Paper Released"
http://minister.ret.gov.au/MediaCentre/MediaReleases/Pages/DraftEnergyWhitePaperReleased.aspx
Draft White Paper and related papers:
http://www.ret.gov.au/energy/facts/white_paper/draft-ewp-2011/Pages/Draft-Energy-White-Paper-2011.aspx
Draft White Paper Executive Summary:
http://www.ret.gov.au/energy/Documents/ewp/draft-ewp-2011/Draft-EWP-executive-summary.pdf

Greg Mclean

Fiji Refuses Entry to International Union Delegation

2011-12-14T11:21:00.000+11:00

http://www.ituc-csi.org/fiji-refuses-entry-to,10352.html Refusal by the Fiji authorities to allow an Australian and New Zealand trade union delegation to enter the country

epsucob@NEWS December 2011 - update local govt and electricity - Europe

2011-12-14T01:26:00.000+11:00

Spain - The FSC-CCOO services federation has attacked the planned cuts announced by the Catalonian regional government on 30 November, saying that the cuts to pay, employment and working conditions will mean undoing 30 years of progress. Cuts in staff could mean the termination of contracts of temporary workers who make up 25%-30% of all regional government employees. The union also points out that this means an attack on collective bargaining and the collective agreements that have been signed in recent years. Meanwhile in Castilla La Mancha the regional government plans to increase weekly working hours for its 70,000 public sector employees from 35 to 37.5 while reducing pay by 3%.
Finland - The new collective agreement for some 350,000 municipal employees has been endorsed, following the cross-sectoral framework agreement signed in October. The agreement takes effect on 1 January 2012 and expires on 28 February 2014. The increase in the first 13 months will be 2.4%. This includes 1.7% from 1 January 2012 with the remaining 0.7% of the pay increase used for financing qualitative changes in the agreement such as six days of paid paternity leave and the scrapping of regulations that have discriminated against temporary employees with regard to their annual leave rights. A €150 lump sum will be paid in January 2012. There will be a 1.46% increase as from 1 February 2013, with a further 0.6% negotiated at the local level. According to Eurostat the latest figure for inflation in Finland is 3.2%.
Sweden - The Kommunal local government union has published a report exposing the poor performance of employers in the sector when it comes to rehabilitation. According to the survey only one in 10 workers return to work after injury thanks to rehabilitation services provided by employers and only 15% of employers adapt work for workers. Kommunal believes that there should be sanctions applied against employers who fail to provide adequate rehabilitation services. It also argues that there should be changes to health and unemployment insurance to support workers while off sick.
France - As part of a broader campaign on pay, the FNME-CGT energy federation organised strike action on 17 November to put pressure on employers to increase basic salaries across the energy sector. Pay increases over the last few years have not kept pace with inflation. The increase in 2011 was imposed by employers after all unions failed to agree and the latest deal was not signed by the main unions in the sector. The 2012 increase on basic salaries will be 1.3%,although the overall increase will be 2.51%, to take account of various other elements including adjustments for pensions contributions.
Ireland - The IMPACT public services trade union reports that negotiations have resulted in limits to annual leave but unions have managed to protect the entitlement of public sector workers. Local authority employers had drawn up plans to make drastic cuts in leave but the latest proposal means that workers with between 23 and 32 days’ leave should be protected. New entrants will have a 30-day maximum. It will be mainly senior staff who are affected with some seeing entitlement of 40 days cut back to 32.
Advice - EPSU bulletin epsucob@NEWS December 2011 - www.epsu.org

Europe - energy roadmaps 2050

2011-12-13T01:00:00.000+11:00

The social partners agreed a joint position on the energy roadmaps 2050 at the plenary meeting in November 2011 (see http://www.epsu.org/a/8142). The consultations have now finished and the position has been addressed to Commissioners Oettinger and Andor asking them to ensure that the social dimension and just transition are taken into account in the energy road maps which will be published soon. For the joint position please go to: http://www.epsu.org/a/8220
Advice EPSU www.epsu.org

AP PSI Youth of December 2011 edition.

2011-12-12T06:30:00.000+11:00

http://twitdoc.com/upload/psiglobalunion/youth-to-youth-december-2011.pdf Next edition will be published in February 2012, please share your activities of young people with short report and photos before 20 January 2012 to: indah.budiarti@worls-psi.org Indah Budiarti PSI AP Organising and Communication Coordinator

Human Rights Day 2011 - December 10th

2011-12-10T01:10:00.000+11:00

http://www.un.org/en/events/humanrightsday/2011/index.shtml This year, millions of people decided the time had come to claim their rights. They took to the streets and demanded change. Many found their voices using the internet and instant messaging to inform, inspire and mobilize supporters to seek their basic human rights. Social media helped activists organize peaceful protest movements in cities across the globe - from Tunis to Madrid, from Cairo to New York - at times in the face of violent repression. Human rights belong equally to each of us and bind us together as a global community with the same ideals and values. As a global community we all share a day in common: Human Rights Day on 10 December, when we remember the creation 63 years ago of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/ Advice from UN www.un.org

OECD - Governments must act on rising long-term unemployment and youth joblessness

2011-12-09T14:35:00.000+11:00

http://www.oecd.org/document/49/0,3746,en_21571361_44315115_48681841_1_1_1_1,00.html

Unemployment remains stubbornly high in the OECD area with the latest economic forecasts suggesting job creation will remain anaemic in the near term, according to a new (sept) OECD report

http://www.oecd.org/document/46/0,3746,en_2649_33729_40401454_1_1_1_1,00.html

Advice OECD web www.oecd.org

ITUC - courageous trade unionist and Comrade from Vahed Syndicate in Tehran,

2011-12-08T01:36:00.000+11:00

http://www.ituc-csi.org/ebrahim-madadi-re-arrested-today.html The ITUC was dismayed and incensed to hear that Ebrahim Madadi, a courageous trade unionist and Comrade from Vahed Syndicate in Tehran, was re-arrested today after being freed only last Thursday. A move welcomed by the international trade union movement.www.justiceforiranianworkers.org - Advice ITUC

Nigerian army takes over public power facilities

2011-12-08T01:00:00.000+11:00

http://www.world-psi.org/en/nigerian-army-takes-over-public-power-facilities The National Union ofElectricity Employees deplored the Nigerian government’s deployment of troopson 14 November to guard public power company installations nationwide. Theydescribed the action as irrational, considering that talks are still ongoingover the privatisation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria.- Advice PSI web www.world-psi.org

Report examines ILO Conventions - UNISON UK & ICTUR

2011-12-07T23:54:00.000+11:00

The key International Labour Conventions are no.87 on freedom of association and 98 on collective bargaining. A report for UNISON by the International Centre for Trade Union Rights (ICTUR) argues that both of these should apply broadly to the vast majority of public service workers. If there are any doubts about public sector workers’ rights to collective bargaining then Convention 151 on labour relations in the public sector can be used to challenge any restrictions that governments try to impose. While Conventions 87 and 98 have been ratified by most countries, ratification of 151 is more limited and the ICTUR report suggests that trade unions in some countries might find it useful to campaign for ratification of this convention. - Advice EPSU www.epsu.org

Public Services Bulletin - November 2011

2011-12-06T14:41:00.001+11:00

http://www.asu.asn.au/media/publicsector/20111206_publicservices.html This edition contains the following items: Your Community Heritage Program; ASU meets with Minister for Resources and Energy; Accelerated Australian Apprenticeships initiative; Australian Govt assisting local government to manage climate change; Library, Information and Cultural Services Training Package; Ministers' approval of national regulators will transform Australian transport; plus more.

Say no - UNiTE & End Violence against Women

2011-12-06T12:25:00.001+11:00

http://saynotoviolence.org/about-say-no Say NO – UNiTE to End Violence against Women is a social mobilization platform on ending violence against women and girls, contributing towards UN Secretary General’s system -wide campaign, UNiTE to End Violence against Women. Launched in November 2009 by UN Women, Say NO – UNiTE showcases advocacy efforts and engages people from all walks of life, online and on the ground. UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Nicole Kidman is the Spokesperson of Say NO –
Organisers tool kit http://saynotoviolence.org/about-say-no/organizers-toolkit
Desk top Calanders http://saynotoviolence.org/desktop_calendars
Over view http://saynotoviolence.org/about-say-no
Advice from http://saynotoviolence.org/about-say-no
Also see http://www.unwomen.org/

Germany: Trend toward re-municipalisation of energy sector

2011-12-05T14:29:00.000+11:00

http://www.epsu.org/a/8107 After just over 10years of liberalisation and privatisation, the German energy sector isexperiencing a return to public and communal ownership. New local publicutilities are being set up and many private concession contracts for energydistribution networks and service delivery have returned to public hands.Entire regional networks have been sold by the large energy corporations to thepublic regional authorities. There are a number of reasons for this trend andwhile there is support from within the trade union movement there is also somecaution being expressed. The united service union ver.di is looking atdevelopments on a case-by-case basis in the light of some of the negativeexperiences it has had with public sector employers. Advice EPSU www.epsu.org

Development community embraces Decent Work at Busan Conference

2011-12-02T20:44:00.000+11:00

http://www.ituc-csi.org/development-community-embraces.html Decent Workhas been included in the international development effectiveness agenda for thefirst time, following strong representations from the international trade unionmovement at the 4th High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan, Korea thisweek. Concerns remain, however, about the risks arising from the way theconclusions of the Forum deal with the role of the private sector indevelopment cooperation. In the“Busan Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation”, presented today atthe Forum, donor- and partner-country governments, local authorities,multilateral institutions, civil society and other public and private actorshave committed to a set of principles to make aid and development cooperationwork better.- Advice ITUC http://www.ituc-csi.org/

German company EON is going through a large restructuring process.

2011-12-02T01:00:00.000+11:00

Management has confirmed it wants to close anumber of sites and is also proposing to slash 11.000 jobs. To be kept up to dateof the news (and much other energy news), the actions of the unions . Pleasefollow
http://twitter.com/energyunions - Advice EPSU www.espu.org

Hungarian unions defend retirement age for electricity workers in short funny youtube movie

2011-12-01T23:41:00.000+11:00

Electricity workers can retire at 62 if they work on heights and after many years of service in Hungary. Climbing poles will then become too risky. This has been negotiated as part of measures to deal with an ageing workforce. Employers now want to get rid of it. To demonstrate what this can imply the union has made a short film in several langauges. DE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3jrs9wZqM0 EN http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KvkFL542Mw FR http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQSOMu6kB7Q IT http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfuRcU7rf04 HU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pmUHH_t4nc

Advice European Federation of Public ServiceUnions www.epsu.org

UK national strike - London demo - 30 November 2011

2011-12-01T14:03:00.000+11:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/workers_in_action/sets/72157628222142953/show/
Advice from Mac at ITF

Forced Labour, Child Labour, Discrimination and Violations of Trade Union Rights All Common in Thailand

2011-11-30T23:08:00.000+11:00

http://www.ituc-csi.org/forced-labour-child-labour.html A new report by the ITUC on core labour standards in Thailand, published to coincide with the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) review of its trade policies, reveals serious violations of fundamental workers’ rights including a high degree of prevalence of forced labour. Both local suppliers and multinational enterprises make extensive use of anti-union practices including lockouts, dismissals, unfavourable work assignments and eviction of union members in order to limit union membership and activities. Employers often use contract labour to weaken bargaining power in Thailand. Moreover, the laws discriminate against migrant workers allowing them only limited rights to organise. Media advice ITUC www.ituc.org