Organising The Unorganised Workers in the Manufacturing Sector

1. Organising The Unorganised Workers in the Manufacturing Sector Fiji Trades Union Congress Work Plan by Agni Deo Singh

2. Background and Justification The manufacturing sector in Fiji includes processing plants and a good number of garment Factories. Approximately 40% of the workers in the processing plants are members of the Factories Workers Union. However this 17.000 garment factory workers remain unorganised. Three factories are mainly in the Tax Free Zones employing largely women workers (90%). The Union has not ventured into this area due to fear of workers being victimised by employers if found being involved in organising. In the prevailing situation standards are not being observed and working conditions in most factories are far from desirable Long hours, poor wages, non compliance with OHS and sexual harassment are common. The Government has ratified only three Core Conventions. It has however, signed agreement of intent to ratified the reaming five in the shortest possible time frame. ILO is party to this agreement.

3. Target Groups This work-plan is meant for: • .Garment factory workers • .Workers in the Processing Plants

4. Development Objectives This work-plan will contribute to: • .Establishment of strong tripartite machinery to ensure continuos social dialogue • .Induce employers to agree that an organised work force would be of mutual benefit in improved workers performance and positive marketing/publicity. • .Increase awareness among workers on ILS and the benefits of being organised. • .Achieve minimum standards of work in the factories.

5. Immediate Objectives • The tripartite forum will be fully functional • It is hoped that employers attitude towards organised labour will be more positive • Workers will be better informed of the ILS and the benefits derived from observing the standards • Collective bargaining agreements will be concluded with at least 10 factories

6. Indicators of Achievement • Tripartite meetings regularly held according to agreed calendar. • Unions register in 10 factories. Workers participating in Union activities. • Improvement in working conditions due to observance of ILS. • Better standards of living enjoyed by workers families.

7. Activities • Meeting of FTUC General Purpose Committee, Women Wing, Education Committee and FCWU to discuss the proposal. • Establish a Project Committee headed by chair person of the Education Committee • Invite Manufacturers Federation for informal discussion • Initiate tripartite discussion (informal) • Establish formal tripartite committee with assistance from Ministry of Labour • Agree to annual calendar of meetings • Education Programme-Identify potential leaders in factories targeted. • Conduct first series of 6x3 day workshops on ILS. 12 to 16 participants. • CBAs to be pursued and concluded with employers representatives

8. Inputs • Resource person for the workshop – FTUC Education Committee and ILO Suva Office • Funding – FTUC Solidarity Fund • Materials - FTUC and ILO publications and leaflets prepared by the National Centre • Venue for meeting and workshop - FTUC National Centre

9. Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation • Project Committee reports to the General Purpose Committee fortnightly at the initial stage and later on a monthly basis. Plant level Union Committee to be involved in reporting. • Written report to be submitted to the National Executive Quarterly • Final evaluation after 12 months. • Recommendations to the National Council on further actions

10. Preliminary Budget Estimate ITEM Fiji dollar • Meetings and conferences 1,500 • Workshops – travel and stay 7,200 • Resource material 1,500 • Contingency 1,000 • TOTAL 11,200