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CONLATINGRAF & UNI Graphical Commit to Fight for Decent Work & against Precarious Work

Defend the graphical industry; improve the standard of living of the graphical sector; contribute to sustainable economic growth based on equity and decent work; promote laws that defend production and reward those industries that comply with labor laws; prevent social dumping: in broad brushstrokes, these are the fundamental elements of the framework for the social dialogue employers and unions of the graphical and packaging industry in Latin America are committed to. This dialogue is part of the conviction that we are belong to the same industry. We are aware of our differences, but also of our common interests. Along these lines, UNI Graphical and CONLATINGRAF are jointly demanding that governments of the region ensure all free trade treaties or agreements involving our sector of activity are carried out with countries or trading blocks in which the fundamental labor rights, as established by the ILO, are fully in force. This demand has already borne its first fruit: a group of Argentine parliamentarians has presented a draft bill to the Congress of this country establishing mandatory conditions that all companies (no longer only those of the graphical sector, but any sector of activity) taking part in public tenders or concessions granted by the Argentine State, certify, by means of a sworn statement, that all their workers and those of their subcontractors are registered and that they do not employ child labor or unregistered workers. UNI Graphical and CONLATINGRAF have signed a document of minutes, endorsed by the Minister of Labor of the Republic of Argentina, through which they make their support of this draft bill public. “We are convinced that the path being taken by graphical industry business and unions is a true model of social dialogue in which the parties make a real commitment to promoting decent work,” stated Dr. Carlos Tomada, Minister of Labor of the Republic of Argentina who also brought the greetings of President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. “The lock out brought about by the farming sector and the launching of a strike for an unspecified period of time by the rural associations is precisely a disavowal of dialogue,” declared Carlos Tomada who lamented that the situation brought on by this lock out prevented the presence of President Fernández de Kirchner. The second relevant agreement established in the minutes signed in Buenos Aires concern the implementation of the “Occupational Health and Safety Policy in the Graphical Industry in Latin America” which establishes guidelines for joint work with a view to improving conditions for the workers of the region. “Vocational training and occupational health and safety are issues on which workers and business can find common ground for joint work,” stated Juan Carlos Sacco, President of CONLATINGRAF. “Occupational health and safety of workers concerns unions as well as workers and we are willing to work jointly making progress to the benefit of those we represent,” said Enrique Marano, Secretary General of FATIDA, Argentina. “In Europe, the graphical sector has demanded, year after year, that a true social dialogue open up and has not been able to get employer support for this dialogue, and yet in the framework of MERCOSUR this has been achieved,” asserted Michel Muller, President of UNI Graphical. “I don’t think this is by chance: we are closely following the transformations taking place in Latin America and we know that things are happening, especially with regard to the articulation of political and economic power.” He added, “We feel particularly proud to corroborate that in the heart of MERCOSUR, the countries in the region speak with a single voice about establishing an exemplary social dialogue that will enable a social image of dignity for the graphical industry in the 21st century.” Note: The MERCOSUR Graphical Unions Coordination Group was established in 1999, growing and becoming consolidated with very positive results starting in 2005. Lucio Castillo, UNI Graphical Vice President, is its Coordinator. For more information: Adriana.rosenzvaig@union-network.org