Report Trade Unions June 2010

BSPC Working Group on Trafficking June 2010Compilation of answers from trade unions and employers’ associations on a question from the WG concerning human traffickingMembers of the BSPC Working Group on Civil Security/Human Trafficking have asked the following question to various trade unions and employers’ associations:"Does ____________ (name of the trade union/employers' association) have an action plan or program regarding the prevention of trafficking in human beings, and have you made any initiatives that ensures the help to victims of trafficking?”The received answers follow below:NorwayQuestions to trade unions and employers' associationsBSPC Working Group on TraffickingNorwegian reply to enquiryWe have received answers from two organisations:• The NHO - Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise• The Confederation of Vocational Unions (YS)1 The NHO - Confederation of Norwegian EnterpriseThe NHO - Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise - is the main representative body for Norwegian employers with a current membership of 20.000 companies ranging from small family-owned businesses to multinational companies.The NHO has focused on reducing the demand side of trafficking by condemning the use of sexual services to entertain business partners and employees.The NHO's Ethic and Social Responsibilities Board has put forward a recommendation in which the member businesses are encouraged to open and clearly condemn any form of trade with sexual services involving their companies or employees. The relationship between prostitution, organised crime and slavery is drawn to attention.NHO's policy for travel by their own employees makes it clear that buying sexual services is unacceptable.2 The Confederation of Vocational Unions (YS)The Confederation of Vocational Unions (YS) is a politically independent umbrella organization for employees. YS were formed on 17 January 1977 and consist of 22 trade unions with a total membership of over 213.000.The YS has no action plan against trafficking as such and they have not taken any special actions to try to help victims of trafficking.That being said, YS is of course concerned with these problems and are working in a lot of organisations and fora that have this subject on the agenda from time to time: ETUC Women's Committee og PERC Women's Committee. (ETUC = European Trade Union Confederation. PERC = Pan European Regional CouncilDenmarkThe Danish Parliament questioned a total of 12 trade unions and employer organisations. We received the following answers:The Danish Chamber of CommerceOn behalf of the Association of the Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Industry (HORESTA), the Danish Chamber of Commerce is a participant in the interdisciplinary working party set up by the National Commission of the Danish Police together with a number of public authorities and organisations as part of the police force's intensified measures against the men behind prostitution. The National Commission of the Danish Police prepared a strategy that involves finding and prosecuting the men behind prostitution in 2006. And, as part of this work, the National Commission of the Danish Police set up a reference group with the participation of other public authorities and organisations in 2007. The group includes representatives from the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, Skat (the Inland Revenue, Customs and Excise Authority), Nest International, the Danish National Organisation of Shelters for Battered Women and their Children, Save the Children and the National Commission of the Danish Police. And together they will work in the future to make sure that important information on the men behind prostitution can be forwarded to the police so that they begin an investigation. There is more information on this work and the strategy involved at: http://www.politi.dk/cgi-bin/MsmGo.exe?grab_id=0&page_id=714&query=følgegruppe&hiword=FøLGEGRUPPEN%20FøLGEGRUPPENS%20følgegruppe%20http://www.politi.dk/da/aktuelt/nyheder/2007/foelgegruppe_16022007.htmThe Danish Chamber of Commerce is a co-founder of the Danish Ethical Trading Initiative (DIEH), which is a multiple stakeholder organisation that was established in 2008 in collaboration with other industrial organisations, trade unions and NGOs. The purpose of DIEH is to promote international trade that respects human and employees' rights and contributes to sustainable development in developing countries and the new growth economies. The initiative is supported by the Danish International Development Agency (Danida). The central contribution made under the initiative is to call together the business community, trade unions and organisations in order to work jointly on ethical trade and meet the challenges facing Danish companies in relation to suppliers in developing countries and the new growth economies.The United Federation of Danish Workers (3F)The United Federation of Danish Workers has not drawn up a formal programme declaration but has, over the years, helped to provide general information on trafficking in human beings.We have thus helped in general to heighten awareness of this lamentable phenomenon with regard to the public – and our members in particular.The Danish Trades Union Congress (LO)LO Denmark does not have any action plan or programme regarding the prevention of trafficking in human beings.The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC)AC has not drawn up a programme or taken steps to prevent trafficking in human beings or to provide help to victims of such trafficking.Confederation of Danish Employers (DA)This is an area that DA is not involved in as our task is solely to deal with the labour market and the relationship between employers and employees on behalf of our members.The Confederation of Danish Industries (DI)DI is an employers' organisation for 10,000 member companies that are active in members' associations, trade organisations, regional associations and committees. DI plays an active role in connection with labour market policies, collective agreements and safety issues with regard to Danish companies. DI provides advice to Danish companies in connection with such areas as the rules regulating the Danish labour market. DI provides no advice in relation to human trafficking as such, but naturally advises companies that they must abide by the law and provide all employees with contracts of employment. In addition to legal advice, DI has developed the CSR Compass (http://www.csrkompasset.dk/), which is a tool that helps to ensure responsible supplier management. This provides Danish companies with help in drawing up codes of conduct or generating declarations that correspond to codes of conduct. The CSR Compass contains subjects regarding such areas as forced labour and terms of employment. While these measures do not exclusively target the prevention of human trafficking, they are measures that include the prevention of such trafficking.EstoniaThe Trade union in Estonia does not deal with issues connected with trafficking and victims; it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Social Affairs. The main concern for Trade unions is to protect the rights fo the working people, deal with issues like salary and unemployment.FinlandSTTK does not have any action plan or program regarding the prevention of trafficking in human beings. The state of Finland has an action plan in this issue and trade unions have had an opportunity to participate in that work. Under you have a link to the web page of the Ministry of the Interior and some information copied on the screen.http://www.intermin.fi/intermin/home.nsf/Pages/6A63819AD34A92D4C22573B5002AE0AFPlans of Action against Trafficking in Human BeingsThe Finnish Government adopted a Revised National Plan of Action against Trafficking in Human Beings in 2008. According to the Plan of Action, each ministry is responsible for implementing the measures that fall within its administrative sector and for following them up. A multidisciplinary steering group chaired by the Ministry of the Interior coordinates the implementation of the Plan of Action.On 24 October 2005, the Ministry of the Interior submitted an Action Plan against Trafficking in Human Beings targeted at its own sector. The Ministry has a coordination group against trafficking in human beings. In the Ministry’s sector, the responsibility for operational coordination rests with the National Bureau of Investigation.System for assisting victims of traffickingThe aim of the system for victim assistance is to promote the recovery, integration and capacity of victims of trafficking, and their safe return. Foreign nationals who can justifiably be suspected of being victims of trafficking may, under certain conditions, be issued with a residence permit (for further information, please contact the Finnish Immigration Service). Victims are also entitled to various services and support measures coordinated by the State reception centres (Joutseno and Oulu).National Plan of Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (2008)The working party's proposal to specify the Plan of Action (2007, summary in English)Ministry of the Interior's Action Plan against Trafficking in Human BeingsAssistance to victims of trafficking: proposal for services and support functions(Summary in English)Residence permit for victims of trafficking in human beings (The Finnish Immigration Service)HamburgAs up to now there is no answer from the employers' associations.The chairman of the unions association (Uwe Grund, DGB) in Hamburg informs us that there is no special action program against human trafficking in Hamburg, but mentions activities against precarious employment and social dumping in general.He also points out that initiatives for minimum wages, for wage agreements laws in connection with public procurement and initiatives in context of the posting of workers have preventive effects because illegal employment will be harder to realise under such conditions.A special issue for the unions in Hamburg is the support of people with uncertain status of residency - meaning persons without papers. One of the unions in Hamburg especially (verdi) has built up a respective network and recently opened a counselling centre for migrant workers with uncertain status of residency. Of course not all concerned are victims of human trafficking.Latvia“Free Trade union confederation of Latvia" have no action plan or program regarding the prevention of trafficking in human beings, and LBAS didn't have made any initiatives that ensures the help to victims of trafficking.LithuaniaThe Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists does not have any such programmes.Mecklenburg-VorpommernLand Parliament of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Schwerin, 26 May 2010Internal Affairs SectionBSPC Working Group on Civil SecurityDr. Armin Jäger, MPDescription of current activities of trade unions and employers’ associations against trafficking in human beings in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern/ GermanyDoes ____________ (name of the trade union/employers' association) have an action plan or program regarding the prevention of trafficking in human beings, and have you made any initiatives that ensures the help to victims of trafficking?The Confederation of German Employers (Bundesvereinigung der Deutschen Arbeitgeberverbände; BDA) is part of several activities which concentrate in information research, comparing current initiatives und building up a network for the prevention of trafficking in human beings and for supporting the victims of trafficking. So far there is no isolated action plan of the BDA.Currently the BDA takes part in a hearing of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Issues for a survey named “Development of sustainable support for victims of trafficking in human beings for the purpose of exploitation and forced labour”. The topic of this survey is the organization of sustainable structures for helping the victims of trafficking. The project is coordinated by the “Federal Coordination Centre against Trafficking of Women and Violence against Female Migrants” (Bundesweiter Koordinierungskreis gegen Frauenhandel und Gewalt an Frauen im Migrationsprozess e. V.) and supported by the Hamburg Institute for Social Science. During the hearing the Confederation of German Employers underlined that trafficking in human beings and exploitation as well as illegal labour are in contrast to the interests of employers. They are interested in discussions and in supporting actions. So far there is no conclusion, how the employers should support. From the employers point of view it is up to the trade unions and the counselling centres for sexual exploitation to share their experiences. The Ministry of Labour and Social Issues plans to arrange a workshop concerning this issue and involving also social aspects. Another result of the hearing is the conclusion that there is a lack of coordination between the current supporting initiatives. The Federal Government will take this in account while planning further activities.Apart from that the German Employers are taking part in initiatives of the International Labour Organization (ILO), for example by supporting the “Berlin Alliance against Trafficking in Human Beings for the Purpose of Exploitation and Forced Labour” (Berliner Bündnis gegen Menschenhandel zum Zweck der Arbeitsausbeutung, http://www.gegen-menschenhandel.de/Downloads/Ziele%20und%20Aktivit%C3%A4ten%20BBGM.pdf). This project started in July 2009 and will last until July 2012. The partners are the Local Government of the City of Berlin, the trade union Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund Berlin-Brandenburg, the ILO and international non-governmental organizations for migration issues. The subgoals include a better knowledge by arranging a scientific survey, interviews and information travel to Poland and the UK, a common learning process by workshops and conferences, the information of the public by public relation measures and the initiation of sustainable organizations for counselling and supporting by comparing current offers, adding necessary supplements and formulating information for victims as well as recommendations for decision makers.PolandNSZZ SolidamoscCurrently NSZZ Solidarnosc does not have an action plan or a program regarding prevention of trafficking of human beings or assistence to victims.However the interest in this issue in ur organisation is growing since protection of human rights, and in particular workers' rights is in the core of our interests. We are also aware of increasing number of cases of severe abuse of workers, which takes form of forced labour, both Polish workers abroad and foreigners in Poland.This year we have participated in a series of seminars organised by ITUC and Anti Slavery International concerning this issue, and in particular co-operation of trade unions and NGOs. We have also co-organised with CentrumCSR.org and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung an expert seminar for NGO Governmnet representatives and trade unions in order to initiate better co-operation.We are approached by NGOs , especially La Stada in Poland in cases of forced labour and we try to provide an assistance at least in the form of consultation or advice in the areas of our competence. This is rather working on case-by -case basis than an action plan. We are also planning to enter criminal proceedings in cases of human trafficking as a representative of social interest.We are also cosidering a training for trade union lawyers concerning this issueAll-Poland Alliance of Trade Unions (OPZZ)All-Poland Alliance of Trade Unions (OPZZ) does not have any action plan or program regarding the prevention of trafficking in human beings.OPZZ is interested in combating smuggling and trafficking in human beings, from prevention to assistance to the victims. As an evidenced, OPZZ issued statement of 16 February 2010 on the human rights of foreigners working in Poland. Sorry, so far the English version is not available but we can translate if you need it.The institutions that deal with the problem of trafficking in human beings in Poland are:- Ombudsman,- Government plenipotentiary for equal treatment,- Prosecution,- Team for Combating and Preventing Human Trafficking in the Ministry of Interior,- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, police, border guards,- NGO’s: La Strada, IthacaSwedenThe question has been sent to the Swedish trade unions and the Swedish employers association. Please find a summary of the answers below:"Does ____________ (name of the trade union/employers' association) have an action plan or program regarding the prevention of trafficking in human beings, and have you made any initiatives that ensures the help to victims of trafficking?TCO, Tjänstemännens centralorganisationØverst på formularen(Øverst på formularenThe Swedish Confederation for Professional Employees)The Swedish Confederation for Professional Employees does not have an action plan regarding prevention of trafficking i human beeings. The International trade union, IFS, of which the Swedish Confederation for Professional Employees is a member, takes a clear position against trafficking in human beeings. Trafficking for sexual expolitation is especially adressed in the IFS resolutions. On the issue of an action plan for preventing trafficking in human beeings for labour exploitation they mainly work through "Fackligt Center för papperslösa", a cooperation between trade unions to prevent people without a residence permit from beeing exploited on the labour market. There are most likely people in the Swedish labour market who are victims of trafficking in human beings for labour explotation, althoug the number is presumed to be quite small.SACO, Sveriges akademikers centralorganisation (Øverst på formularenThe Swedish Confederation of Professional Associations)| |Does not have any such programLO, Landsorganisationen i Sverige (The Swedish Trade Union Confederation)| |No answer.Åland IslandsJag fick din förfrågan via FOA-Å och Ålands Kommunalanställda JHL,r.f.avd.214 beslöt vid sitt styrelsemöte den 12 maj att avge följande svar:Vi ser idag inga tecken på att trafficking förekommer på Åland men däremot är alla medvetna om, att offren många gånger transporteras via färjtrafiken via Åland. Vi ser mycket allvarligt på denna slavhandel och hoppas, att färjrederierna tar sitt ansvar här. Dock har vi själva i detta läge inga planer på några aktioner med anledning av detta. Vi är däremot villiga att, om problemet uppstår hos oss, delta i någon form av manifestation tillsammans med andra organisationer......Ålands Handelskammare arbetar inte med dessa frågor. De få åländska företag som berörs av frågan arbetar internt med dessa frågor........Som svar på den framställda frågan kan jag meddela att Ålandsarbetsmraknads- och studieservicemyndighet (Ams) inte har något program eller någon aktionsplan mot människohandel (trafficking). Ams har inte heller i sin verksamhet hittills kommit i kontakt med denna företeelse.