News

The workshop was organised in collaboration with UNI Americas and FES. The workshop brought youth activists from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Nicaragua and Uruguay together.

UNI America's Regional Secretary Adriana Rosenzvaig opened the meeting by emphasising the importance of temporary work, particularly given the fact that most young people start their working careers in temporary jobs offered by agencies which are frequently insecure and poorly paid. She also stressed the need to organise agency workers and have them covered by collective agreements so that they could enjoy fair and equitable treatment.

Giedre Lelyte, Director of UNI TAW, highlighted the global challenges and achievements of unions in dealing with temporary agency work . Participants were especially interested to hear about the Memorandum of Understanding UNI signed with Ciett, a global organisation of temp employment agencies. They stressed the need for the implementation of a similar agreement on a regional and local level.

Participants discussed the situation and exchanged experiences on youth employment, transitions in the labour market as well as the challenges, achievements and attempts to organise temporary agency workers. One of the examples mentioned was the tremendous work of unions in the Argentine finance sector in securing collective agreements ensured temporary agency workers could transfer to permanent jobs after six months.

Young trade unionists prepared the action plan for future actions on organising agency workers with a special focus on youth. All of the participants agreed that organising would be a fundamental part of future plans. Unions should make more of an effort to explain the importance of solidarity and union power to young workers. UNI Americas Youth Committee should organise more training for young workers and raise awareness about the pitfalls of temporary agency work, as well as its expansion and impact on traditional employment. National affiliates of UNI should put more emphasis on non-regular workers and include these issues in their everyday agendas.

Solidarity between permanent and temporary workers should be encouraged and discrimination fought against with good collective agreements. If necessary, UNI Global Union should step in and support affiliates with training, advice, organising and solidarity campaigns. UNI should provide information on the challenges facing temporary agency workers and the impacts it could have on union power. Additionally, UNI should assist affiliates in raising the issue on a regional level.

The seminar was concluded with participants making personal commitments to continue active involvement in the union movement and contribution to campaigns ensuring the rights and fair treatment of agency workers.