Divided into 34 countries the sub-regions consist of North
America, Latin America (including Central America & South
America) and finally the Caribbean. The Americas region has one of
the most marked differences between rich and poor. Multinational
corporations continue to violate workers rights in the region, many
corporations are aided by conservative government forces who turn a
blind eye to the human rights violations. Countries experiencing
the most violence against trade unionists are those in Latin
America, for example in Colombia at least 70 people were killed for
their trade union activities in 2005. Weak labor laws, Export
Processing Zones (link to definition at http://www.ilo.org/public/english/dialogue/sector/themes/epz.htm.
and poverty continue to cause great hardship for working people in
this region.
In North America weak labor laws particularly in the USA
continue to create an underclass of working poor, this
means workers working numerous low wage jobs to make ends meet. The
National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) 1935, allows employers to
undermine union recognition campaigns. The number of employers that
hire consultants to plan union busting strategies is 75%, the peak
union federation AFL-CIO report that as many as 78% of workers are
forced to attend one to one anti-union meetings. The remedies in
the NLRA Act for intimidation are ineffective. Union membership
sits at 12%. In Canada whilst workers enjoy more rights under
their federal legislation, such as workers are free to join unions
and collectively bargain, this is currently being undermined by
provincial government legislation.
In Latin America an ILO visit in October 2006 concluded that
trade unionists continue to be a target of armed forces in
countries like
Colombia.
Cases of intimidation and violence against trade unionists
unfortunately are not just isolated in Colombia, Guatemala reports
death treats against union leaders, Ecuador banana workers union
continue to experience pressure from the police who use tear gas to
squash protest strikes, whilst Peru’s telecommunications
multinational dismissed union members for their trade union
activities.
Other worker’s experiences are marked by unemployment and
underemployment. Many of the Latin American countries are still
suffering the effects of the International Monetary Funds’ and the
World Bank’s structural adjustment measures that have put more
people out of work in exchange for loan grants. This is due to the
national governments privitisation efforts and rationalisation of
government services. This consequently has seen employment growth
in the informal sector now making up about 95% of employment
growth.
Brazil is playing an increasingly important role on the global
stage both at a political and economic level. Venezuela is
prominent also on the political stage for President Chavez vision
for the region, a Bolivarian Revolution, which supports an
alternative economic policy whereby nation states enjoy political
and economic sovereignty without having to rely on international
financial institutions. If Venezuela and Bolivia join the regional
trading bloc Mercosur (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay),
this will make Mercosur the 9th biggest Gross Domestic Product
producer and the 4th largest population globally.
Amicus has a strong links with the two largest unions in North
America, the United Steelworkers
(USW) http://uswa.org/uswa/program/content/index.php
and the International Association of Machinists
(
IAMAW)
http://www.iamaw.ca/ Amicus has
signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with both unions with
the intention to build cooperation and union power. By establishing
positive links with other unions we can work together to fight
multinationals who have ruthless disregard for workers rights in
the pursuit of greater profits.
Attached is the MOU document (USW and IAMAW).
Regional Trading Blocs
Mercosur
Mercosur which stands for the Southern Common Market was
founded in 1991 to promote free trade and free movement of people,
goods and currency. The economic trade forum is made up of 10
associate/members. Mercosur’s structures allow for social dialogue
with civil society including trade unions.
North American Free Trade
Agreement
North American Free Trade Agreement founded in 1994 is made
up of three member’s states, including Canada, United States of
America and Mexico. Aims for the trading group are to promote free
trade and provide business enforcement for intellectual property
rights. This forum does not allow for social dialogue thus there is
no social-labour dimension to all trade issues
