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Impacts of Globalisation. Hashim Lobe Director Trade Union Develoment Activities, UNI APRO. It’s a GLOBALIZING WORLD. Free flow of -- goods, capital, technology in a borderless economy (without frontiers) -- global connectivity : internet/cellphone can put you connected everywhere.
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Impacts of Globalisation Hashim Lobe Director Trade Union Develoment Activities, UNI APRO
It’s a GLOBALIZING WORLD Free flow of -- goods, capital, technology in a borderless economy (without frontiers) -- global connectivity : internet/cellphone can put you connected everywhere
Drivers of globalization • Technology • Triumph of free trade philosophy everywhere • (collapse of Eastern Europe, market economy in China, etc.) • Role of IMF-WB (policy conditionalities) • And WTO to promote borderless economy • Through privatization, liberalization, deregulation
Negative more than Positive Outcome For global economy, yes, greater growth, greater integration, greater connectivity But also greater role for TNCs and elite people (wealth of 3 richest men equal to 60 developing countries) Hence,greater inequalities within and among countries/industries -- there are winners/losers UNDP: globalization a power to do good; also a power to do harm
Globalization Trends in Asia Rise of China as export champion (from light to more sophisticated products) Decline of industries in other Asian countries Decline of manufacturing in Japan, Taiwan, SK Rise of India as another China Failure of development in some countries – Philippines, Indonesia Uneven/unequal growth w/n and across countries But TNCs are everywhere, triumphant
Impact on trade unions – generally negative almost everywhere -- jobless growth (esp. for developed countries) -- disruptive growth (esp. for developing countries) -- job insecurities (due to footloose industries, outsourcing, competition, technology, endless reorganization, privatization) -- race to the bottom -- (eroded bargaining power, lower labor standards)
Busisiness flexibility means flexibile Responsibility global competition = search for higher productivity and lower cost of production = search for cheap and productive labor – paying workers as low as possible, lowering working conditions, hiring casual worker increasing productivity, work intensification
ImpactSummary • Declining number of regular jobs • Declining union members • Declining bargaining rights • Declining labor rights
Global challenges Union action • global • new alliances • urgent
Organising Wal-Mart Wal-Martisation
Offshore world map Ireland CEE China Israel Russia Philippines 8.3 8.2 7.7 India Latin America 3.7 3.0 1.1 Israel India Ireland Canada China RoW Source: BusinessWeek February 3, 2003 (Source: McKinsey&Company 2004; Billion US$)
Recruitment • UNI Postal Global union Recognition • UNI Commerce Global union Rights Results • UNI Property Services Global union
Multinational framework agreements • Telefónica (2000) • Carrefour (2001) • OTE (2001) • ISS (2003) • H&M (2004)
Multinational framework agreements Quebecor, Amcor, Kimberly Clark, SCA, Smurfit, British Telecom, Deutsche Telekom, France Telecom, Singtel, Vivendi Universal, Auchan, Casino, Ikea, Metro, Rewe, Tesco, Group 4 Securicor, Securitas, Axa, Deutsche Bank, Westfield, Banco Santander, Banco de Bilbao, HSBC, Barclays … Targets
Global and regional • Economic integration • Social dimension • Social dialogue UNI-Africa • African Union • NEPAD • SADC • COMESA • ECOWAS UNI-Asia&Pacific • APEC • ASEAN • ASEM • SAARC UNI-Americas • FTAA • NAFTA • Mercosur UNI-Europa • European Union
A new organising world UNI-Africa • North Africa • Middle East • Nigeria • South Africa UNI-Americas • USA • Mexico • Brazil UNI-Asia&Pacific • China • India • Indonesia UNI-Europa • Central and Eastern Europe • Mediterranean
Solidarity • 24 hours • Global support • The global chain
Communications • Web-based • Info • Bulletin • Mailings • Virtual committees • Video conferences • Conference calls • Publications • Press conferences • Communicators’ forum
UNI supporting change in global labour movement • ICFTU/WCL unification • Global Unions’ Council