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International Employment Relations Network List
(IERN-L)
A Miscellany of International Employment Relations News
Miscellany 16, 8 June 2012
________________________________________________________________
Subscribe at: http://lists.unisa.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/iern-l
Post to: [email protected]
Access to ADAPT International Bulletin at:
http://www.adaptbulletin.eu/index.php/component/content/article?id=46
_______________________________________________________________
Contents
Main Stories
Australia: Rinehart plan to offshore Australian jobs shows world’s richest woman cares only for profits
Australia: Today’s minimum wage decision must not increase gap between
average and lowest-paid workers
ILO/Palestine: The situation of workers in the occupied Arab territories remains
precarious, ILO says
South Africa: Supreme Court of Appeal confirms that illegal strikes not always
grounds for dismissal
UK: Politicians divided on ‘no-fault-dismissal’ proposals
In Brief
Australia: HSU leader at risk of contempt
China: Officials refuse to sanction work-related injury case because victim did not
die
1
ILO Conference: ITUC outraged at Employers attack on ILO system
Ireland: Congress says major new investment programme to create over 100,000
jobs
Nigeria: We applaud the recall of dismissed Lagos state medical doctors
Qatar: Qatar’s Workers Need a Real Trade Union, Not a Fake One
Singapore: Singapore firms planning wage rise
Singapore: Enhanced Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices
UK: Cautious approach to pay the 'new normal' – CBI/Harvey Nash
Publications
Calls for Papers, Conferences, Seminars, Symposia
Other Sites
Awards
________________________________________________________________
Main Stories
Australia: Rinehart plan to offshore Australian jobs shows world’s richest woman cares only for profits
IR/ER/Australia/Mining /Foreign Workers
ACTU, 25 May 2012 at
http://www.actu.org.au/Media/Mediareleases/RinehartplantooffshoreAustralianjobsshowswor
ldsrichestwomancaresonlyforprofits.aspx
The mining industry must be investing in secure, permanent jobs for Australians before
resorting to importing guest workers.
The ACTU says the Government’s decision to cave in to Gina Rinehart’s demands to bring
1700 overseas guest workers to Australia without fully attempting to find local workers for
2
the Roy Hill iron ore project in the Pilbara is short-sighted and risks costing Australians jobs.
ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver said the Government’s decision was premature and risked
leaving Australian workers out in the cold, without any process even in place to assess the
resources sector’s skilled labour requirements.
“This push by Gina Rinehart shows the mining industry is not interested in paying its way
and is not interested in returning benefits to Australians,” Mr Oliver said.
“The few multi-billionaires who control so much of our country’s natural resources wealth
are only interested in their own profits and how much they can squeeze out of the minerals
that belong to the Australian people.
“The mining boom is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to invest in secure jobs, skills and
building new communities that will drive Australia’s economic growth into the future.
“It must not be squandered by mining moguls seeking to fatten their profits at the expense of
the Australian community and workers.
“This is a very disappointing decision from the Government and we will be seeking to meet
with the relevant Ministers as early as possible to discuss the ramifications of this decision
“It is now even more imperative that a jobs board is established to enable thorough market
testing of the skilled labour requirements of the resources sector.
“We have had no independent evidence to back up claims by mining magnates like Mrs
Rinehart that there aren’t enough Australian workers to meet the needs of future resources
projects.”
Mr Oliver said it was even more disappointing that today’s decision had been made by a
Government that had recently shown positive support for Australian jobs, particularly in the
manufacturing industry.
“Australians in sectors outside resources have experienced a recent flood of job losses. Where
is the proof that Mrs Rinehart has exhausted all opportunities to give Australian workers jobs,
or any moves to encourage young people into training?” he said.
“This is the world's richest woman making herself richer and richer on the back of minerals
that Australians own, yet she can't even be bothered to offer locals jobs. At the same time,
there remain outstanding concerns about the misuse of 457 visas by employers.”
___________________________________________________________________________
3
Australia: Today’s minimum wage decision must not increase gap between
average and lowest-paid workers
IR/ER/Australia/Wages
ACTU, 1 June 2012 at
http://www.actu.org.au/Media/Mediareleases/Todaysminimumwagedecisionmustnotincreaseg
apbetweenaverageandlowestpaidworkers.aspx
Today’s Annual Wage Review decision by Fair Work Australia should deliver a decent pay
rise to close the gap between minimum wages and average wages in the rest of the economy.
ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver said the one-in-six workers who depend on award rates of pay
have fallen behind average wage earners in recent years, and this year’s decision must make
up lost ground.
Unions are seeking a $26 a week increase to lift the National Minimum Wage to $615.30 a
week. This would be a 68c an hour increase from $15.51 an hour to $16.19 an hour. For other
workers who rely on the award above the benchmark tradesperson’s rate, unions have sought
a 3.8% increase.
Fair Work Australia will hand down its decision for the 2012 Annual Wage Review at 10am
today (Friday).
“Friday’s decision is a once-a-year opportunity for workers who depend on the award to get a
wage increase and they deserve to keep pace with the wage rises being paid to the rest of the
workforce,” Mr Oliver said.
“Unfortunately the gap between low-paid workers and average income earners has been
increasing every year. Since 2005, average real wages have increased by 12%. The real
minimum wage has increased by less than 1%. The wages for some award classifications
have fallen in real terms.
“Employers should not be complaining about the prospect of a modest pay rise when all it
will do is help the lowest paid employees keep up with what the rest of the economy is
paying.”
Mr Oliver said that without decent outcome from the minimum wage review, Australia was
4
in danger of creating a working poor.
“Wage inequality in this country is continuing to grow, and the Fair Work Australia Panel
needs to provide and maintain a fair safety net for the one-in-six workers who depend on
award wages,” Mr Oliver said.
“The stand-out difference between Australia and the United States has always been that we
have a decent minimum wage to protect the most vulnerable workers in our society.
“That is why Fair Work Australia must reject applications by employer groups that would cut
the real wages of the low-paid. “The ACTU’s claim is modest, it is reasonable and it is fair.”
___________________________________________________________________________
ILO/Palestine: The situation of workers in the occupied Arab territories
remains precarious, ILO says
ER/Palestine/Labour Market restrictions/unemployment
ILO, 4 June 2012 at http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/press-and-media-centre/news/
WCMS_182102/lang--en/index.htm
GENEVA (ILO News) – The situation of workers in the occupied Arab territories is
extremely worrying and remains precarious according to the annual report of the International
Labour Organization (ILO) submitted to the 101st Session of the International Labour
Conference.
This is above all due to the realities of the occupation on the ground and the unabated
expansion of Israeli settlements, leading to a shrinking space for Palestinian development,
says the report.
This is particularly true in what is called “Area C” of the West Bank, which is to be an
essential part of a future Palestinian State. This area covers 60 per cent of the land mass of
the West Bank but continues to be under full Israeli control, with Palestinians denied access
to their livelihoods and to one another.
“The peace process is at a standstill more than at any time since the Oslo Accords” of 1993,
says ILO Director-General Juan Somavia in his preface to the report. He considers that the
evolving facts on the ground seriously diminish the scope for a negotiated two-State solution.
“This is due to a particularly damaging combination of political intransigence, the incapacity
of outside actors to assist the parties or effectively exercise influence on them, volatility in
the region, and the elusiveness of Palestinian reconciliation.”
On the occasion of releasing the report, Director-General Somavia calls for a development
5
and peace logic which is based on a long-term vision of the economic, employment and
security interests of all workers in both the occupied Arab territories and Israel. He further
states that actions resulting from the stalemate in the peace process also produce insecurity in
Israeli society.
The Director-General expressed his serious concern about the response by international
cooperation partners, which has been weaker than before. This further undermines the task of
ensuring a basic level of subsistence for a large share of the people, let alone the capacity to
support the few positive indicators there are.
The report emphasizes that there is no viable or just alternative to ending the occupation of
the Arab territories. “The Palestinian economy has reached limits which cannot be overcome
without action on the two major constraints it faces: occupation and separation,” states the
report.
“The existence and viability of a fully functioning Palestinian State are in jeopardy if no
political solution is in sight, if the heavy military and economic occupation becomes even
more severe, and if the settlement economy becomes further integrated into the Israeli
economy,” the report says. It also expresses concern about the recent growth of violent acts
undertaken by both settlers and the Palestinians against one another.
The report recognizes some advances. The trend of higher economic growth witnessed in the
Occupied Palestinian Territory between 2008 and 2010 continued in 2011, as real GDP grew
by 10.7 per cent. This overall figure was significantly affected by a 26.6 per cent rise in GDP
in Gaza.
The report cautions, however, that the growth in Gaza “is far from indicative of a healthier
economy, as it resulted overwhelmingly from a boom in construction activity fuelled by the
tunnel economy, combined with an increase in building materials allowed in through Israel
for reconstruction projects of international organizations.”
The report says that unemployment in the Occupied Palestinian Territory declined by 4.1 per
cent in 2011 to 222,000 people, resulting in an overall unemployment rate of 21 per cent,
compared to 23.7 per cent in 2010. This is primarily due to a reduction in the unemployment
rate in Gaza by more than 9 per cent, but overall unemployment is still higher than what it
was in 2000 when opportunities to work in Israel were significantly curtailed.
Future employment is clearly one of the biggest concerns facing Palestinian youth, the report
says. Last year 53.5 per cent of young women and 32.2 per cent of young men aged 15 to 24
were unemployed. Given that 71 per cent of Palestinians are under 30 years of age, the report
calls for urgent action to address the education crisis in East Jerusalem, to cease the
6
demolition of schools in the West Bank, and to stop the erosion of skills in Gaza.
Despite the difficulties on the ground, the report notes that the process of building a
Palestinian State continues. This process requires “Palestinian reconciliation on a democratic
basis and respecting the desire of people.” The report also underlines the need for this process
to “encompass institutions and policies for job creation, social dialogue, gender equality,
social security and fair incomes.”
One of the conclusions of the report is that gender equality needs to be pursued with
determination and young women and men need to be empowered, particularly through the
establishment and effective functioning of youth councils.
Besides the advance in Palestinian State building the report also notes the changes towards
democracy and greater openness in the Arab world as elements of hope.
The findings of the report are based on a mission sent earlier this year to the occupied Arab
territories and Israel to assess the situation of workers of the occupied Arab territories,
including the occupied Syrian Golan. Since 1980, the Director-General has had the mandate
to present an annual report on this topic to the International Labour Conference.
________________________________________________________________
South Africa: Supreme Court of Appeal confirms that illegal strikes not
always grounds for dismissal
IR/South Africa/Labour Law/ illegal strikes
COSATU, 4 June 2012 at http://www.cosatu.org.za/show.php?ID=6186
“The Labour Appeal Court has delivered a precedent setting judgment, which rules that
dismissal is not always justifiable in the case of unprotected (`illegal) strikes.
In the case AHLESHA Blankets vs. SACTWU, the Labour Appeal Court ruled that the
dismissed workers must be re-instated. SACTWU (Southern African Clothing & Textile
Workers’ Union) has welcomed the judgment.
A copy of the actual judgement is available on the SACTWU website, as follows:
A summary of the case is set out below.”
We are delighted to confirm that the Supreme Court of Appeals has dismissed the company`s
application for special leave to appeal from the judgement of the Labour Appeal Court, with
cost.
7
The consequences of this is that the company will now have to implement the terms of the
original Labour Court judgement, unless it intends to approach the Constitutional Court.
We do not think that this is a likely option as there were no constitutional points raised in
their case.
A copy of the SCA court order is attached to this press statement.
Ahlesha Blankets vs. SACTWU: case summaryOn 17 June 2008, 53 workers from Ahlesha Blankets in Atlantis in the Western Cape, were dismissed for participating in an unprotected strike. The workers went on strike because they were aggrieved about the fact that their company was forcing them to take two weeks’ leave in June – as short time.
This meant that they would have only received one week’s leave in December. For those workers with family connections in the Eastern Cape, as many of them have, this meant that they would forfeit their only chance to see their families that year.
Three shifts participated in the strike: morning, afternoon and night shift. Importantly, it lasted for eight hours. The notices of dismissal were issued on 17 and 18 June 2008.
This case initially went to the CCMA. However, on 5 August 2008, the CCMA found that it could not resolve the dispute and the case was referred to the Labour Court.
On 19 March 2010, the Labour Court found that while the actions of the workers constituted misconduct – a legally legitimate reason for dismissal – Ahlesha Blankets had acted with haste in dismissing the workers.
In terms of the dismissed day shift workers, the Court judged that since the company was experiencing slackness in its business, and since the strike was only eight hours long, and since the workers were open to negotiating a different short-time arrangement, the employer had alternative options to dismissal. This is despite the fact that the company followed due processes with regards to the dismissals.
The Court ruled that all the workers must be reinstated. However, since the workers’ actions were illegal, the Court ruled that the workers should be penalized by being reinstated from a later date – 1 December 2009 – without loss of benefits from that date.
This case was significant because it treats an unprotected strike, legally a black and white issue, as an event with some margin of flexibility.
Instead of simply dismissing workers for breaking the law, the Court has examined the context of the strike and found it to be more than simply an unlawful act but also an act of trying to negotiate with the employer in a context in which leeway might be possible.
That context – the slackness of orders which the company was experiencing – were found to justify alternatives to dismissal being sought.
On 12 April 2010, Ahlesha filed an application for leave to appeal the ruling.
8
The company challenged the original judgment on various grounds.
However, the gist of the company`s attack was that the Court was wrong in its judgment to declare the dismissals unfair and to order re-instatement, because the employees’ conduct was clearly a challenge to the management’s authority, in that the workers had refused to comply with the ultimatums which management had issued, ordering them to return to work and to abandon the strike. The company argued that this amounted to gross insubordination.
The company also argued that there was commercial rational for it to implement the two week short time and that workers’ conduct had undermined the management’s authority to take business decisions. The company also argued that it was unfair for the court to interfere with this management discretion.
SACTWU argued that this was not the case. Our legal argument was that having regard to the short duration of the strike, the absence of violence during the strike, the slackness of business at the time and that the workers had a clean a disciplinary record. This, we argued, meant that the dismissals were unfair and that the lower court’s decision to rule so was correct.
The Labour Appeal Court agreed with SACTWU, and dismissed the company`s application.
The dismissal judgment was handed down in the Labour Appeal Court on 2 March 2012.
The Supreme Court of Appeal has handed down its decision on 1 June 2012
___________________________________________________________________________
UK: Politicians divided on ‘no-fault-dismissal’ proposals
IR/UK/Management Prerogatives/Dismissal
CIPD, 21 May 2012 at http://www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/pm/articles/2012/05/politicians-
divided-on-no-fault-dismissal-proposals.htm?
utm_medium=email&utm_source=cipd&utm_campaign=pmdaily_210512&utm_content=ne
ws_1
Government proposals to bring in ‘no-fault dismissal’ rules could divide the Coalition
partners as the controversial Beecroft report is set to be published.
The plans, outlined in the report last October by entrepreneur Adrian Beecroft, aim to slash
red tape for employers and make it easier for them to hire and fire staff as they are needed.
The report is due to be published later this week but has already appeared on the internet after
being leaked.
It says that “regulations, conceived in an era of full employment” are stifling the business and
job growth that will raise the UK economy out of its slump.
The report focussed on small businesses in particular, and said red tape dissuades them from
9
wanting to take on more employees and therefore they grow more slowly than they otherwise
might.
“In today's era of a lack of jobs those regulations simply exacerbate the national problem of
high unemployment,” the report said.
“While it may seem counter-intuitive, even making it easier to remove underperforming
employees will in the short run not increase unemployment as they will be replaced by more
competent employees. In the long run it will increase employment by making our businesses
more competitive and hence more likely to grow.”
However, the report recognised that the proposal have [sic] a downside.
“Some people would be dismissed simply because their employer did not like them,”
Beecroft admitted.
“While this is sad, I believe it is a price worth paying for all the benefits that would result
from the change. I believe that employers, many of whom already ‘create’ redundancy
situations in order to remove underperforming employees, will accept the higher cost in
exchange for the speed and certainty it provides.”
In March, the government launched a call for evidence on dealing with dismissal and
compensated no-fault dismissal for employers with fewer than 10 staff. This call closes on
the 8th of June 2012.
Prime Minister David Cameron is said to be considering the proposals and other proposals in
the report, which include changes to collective redundancy time scales, scrapping plans for
flexible shared parental leave and reforms to the employment tribunal system.
Speaking while at an event in Chicago, Cameron said: "On the issue of no-fault dismissal and
other proposals like that, I am interested in anything that makes it easier for one person to say
to another person: 'Come and work for me,' because we need to make our economies flexible.
"We need to make our labour markets work as flexibly as possible and we will obviously
need to examine each proposal on its merits."
However, the ‘fire-at-will’ plans were hit by renewed criticism from business secretary Vince
Cable who, according to a close source, has labelled them “bonkers”.
A source close to Cable told the Guardian: "The last thing employees want is the dead hand
of fear hanging over them about losing their jobs."
___________________________________________________________________________
In Brief
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Australia: HSU leader at risk of contempt
IR/Australia/Union Corruption
The Australian, 6 June 2012 at http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/hsu-leader-
at-risk-of-contempt/story-fn59niix-1226385391795
UNION leader Kathy Jackson faces possible contempt of court sanctions for allegedly trying
to make private contact with a judge hearing the case to place the Health Services Union's
allegedly corrupt East branch into administration.
___________________________________________________________________________
China: Officials refuse to sanction work-related injury case because victim
did not die
ER/China/Workers’ Compensation
China Labour Bulletin, 23 May 2012 at http://www.clb.org.hk/en/node/110066
A street cleaner from the north-eastern city of Harbin suffered a stroke while at work but was
denied work-related injury status because she did not die. Local authorities claimed that
China’s Work-related Injury Insurance Regulations only recognised cases in which victims
died within 48 hours of the onset of sudden illness at work.
___________________________________________________________________________
ILO Conference: ITUC outraged at Employers attack on ILO system
International labour standards/ILO Conference/International Organisation of Employers
ITUC, 4 June 2012 at http://www.ituc-csi.org/ilo-conference-ituc-outraged-at.html
The employers’ group today blocked discussion of some of the worst cases of worker rights
violations at the annual ILO conference in Geneva. Since 1926, the conference has discussed
the most serious cases included in the annual report of the ILO’s Committee of Experts, a 17-
member committee of eminent and independent international jurists. This, year the
International Organisation of Employers (IOE) has refused to discuss any cases.
___________________________________________________________________________
Ireland: Congress says major new investment programme to create over
100,000 jobs
11
ER/Ireland/ Labour Market
ICTU, 23 May 2012 at http://www.ictu.ie/press/2012/05/23/congress-says-major-new-
investment-programme-to-create-over-100000-jobs/
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions today (May 23) outlined details of a major new
investment programme that could create up to 100,000 jobs and significantly boost prospects
of economic recovery.
Congress General Secretary David Begg said: "Ireland desperately needs to create jobs, boost
domestic demand and generate growth if there is to be any hope of recovery. This programme
can help spark growth and provide hope after years of unrelenting austerity."
_______________________________________________________________
Nigeria: We applaud the recall of dismissed Lagos state medical doctors
IR/Nigeria/Collective Bargaining/ Strike/Doctors
Nigerian Labour Congress,3 June, 2012 at http://www.nlcng.org/search_details.php?id=335
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) wishes to commend Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State for recalling the sacked 788 medical doctors, and the decision of the Nigerian Medical Association to suspend the strike action, not only in Lagos, but the threat to escalate the action nationwide.
We are specifically appreciative of the receptiveness of the State Governor to our intervention, and his frankness and commitment to improve health services in the state, during our meeting with him on Wednesday, 30th May 2012 in Lagos.
Congress also wishes to commend the leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), at its meeting with the leadership of the NLC, for its remarkable forthrightness on the issues in contention and passion for a virile medical profession and sustainable health delivery system in Lagos State.
We appreciate the roles played by prominent individuals and organisations within and outside Lagos state as well as the global unions and civil society groups in the course of the crisis. Without their support and interventions, both parties may not have achieved this resounding feat. This positive disposition of the state governor, we believe, has added to the good governance profile of the state.
We urge both parties in the spirit of this significant truce to return to further dialogue as soon as practicable to ensure that all contentious issues are resolved across the table without
12
further acrimony. The process of collective bargaining for mutual outcomes in the interest of the people remains a major tool that ensures industrial peace and harmony.
___________________________________________________________________________
Qatar: Qatar’s Workers Need a Real Trade Union, Not a Fake One
IR/Qatar/Migrant Workers/Trade Unionism
ITUC, 1 June 2012 at http://www.ituc-csi.org/qatar-s-workers-need-a-real-trade.html
The International Trade Union Confederation has agreed to a meeting with the Qatari Labour
Minister to outline the conditions for free and independent trade unions and allow the huge
migrant workforce to set up their own genuine trade unions.
___________________________________________________________________________
Singapore: Singapore firms planning wage rise
IR/Singapore/Wages
Straits Times Newsletter, 22 May 2012 at
http://www.straitstimes.com/Money/Story/STIStory_801427.html
A survey of 143 firms by human resource consultancy Towers Watson found that, on average,
employers are planning to increase wages by 4.5 per cent.
__________________________________________________________________________
Singapore: Enhanced Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices
ER/Singapore/Labour Market/Foreign and Singaporean Workers
SNEF, 0nline. Accessed 6 June 2012 at http://www.sgemployers.com/
Following Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s call at the 2011 National Day rally for tripartite
partners namely unions, employers and the Government to develop guidelines for fair
employment and responsible recruitment practices, so that Singaporeans are given fair
opportunities in responsible recruitment and career development. SNEF has been working
closely with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment
Practices (TAFEP) and the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) to develop these
guidelines so that reasonable efforts are made by employers to consider Singaporeans for job
positions on their merits, and to nurture as well as develop their potential. This will help
ensure that Singaporeans
13
___________________________________________________________________________
UK: Cautious approach to pay the 'new normal' – CBI/Harvey Nash
ER/UK/Labour Market/Pay Restraint
CBI, 31 May 2012 at http://www.cbi.org.uk/media-centre/press-releases/2012/05/cautious-
approach-to-pay-the-new-normal-%E2%80%93-cbi-harvey-nash
The private sector jobs recovery is continuing, but firms are increasingly taking a cautious
approach to pay as they look to stay competitive. That is according to a survey by the CBI
and recruitment specialists Harvey Nash, out today.
The Spring CBI/Harvey Nash Employment Trends Survey covered 319 companies,
employing around two million people in the UK. The survey found that pay restraint remains
the norm, with nearly half of all firms planning a below-inflation pay award or targeted pay
rises, and one-fifth planning a pay freeze in order to remain competitive.
__________________________________________________________________________
Publications 2012
The ILO “World of Work Report 2012: Better Jobs for a Better Economy” Access at:
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/inst/download/eswow12_e.pdf
________________________________________________________________________
Employment Trends unit of the ILO Employment Sector (2012) Global Employment Trends,
Download at http://www.ilo.org/global/publications/books/global-employment-trends/
WCMS_171571/lang--en/index.htm ISBN 978-92-2-124924-5
The annual Global Employment Trends report offers the latest global and regional
information and projections on several indicators of the labour market, including
employment, unemployment, working poverty and vulnerable employment. It also presents a
number of policy considerations in light of the new challenges facing policy makers in the
coming year.
___________________________________________________________________________
Pierluigi Rausei, Michele Tiraboschi Work: a reform in midstream (ADAPT 2012 @
University Press) access at http://www.bollettinoadapt.it/acm-on-line/Home.html
________________________________________________________________
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26th AIRAANZ Conference 2012: Re-Organising Work, Association of Industrial Relations
Academics of Australia and New Zealand, published papers, ed. Robin Price, Brisbane,
Queensland University of Technology.
________________________________________________________________________
Pocock, B., Skinner, N and Williams, P. (2012) Time Bomb: Work, Rest and Play in
Australia Today, NewSouth Books, may be ordered at
http://www.newsouthbooks.com.au/isbn/9781742232959.htm
_________________________________________________________________________
Baird, M., Hancock, K. and Isaac, J. eds. (2012) Work and Employment Relations: An Era
of Change, The Federation Press, ISBN: 9781862878501 may be ordered at www.federation
press.com.au
__________________________________________________________________________
Bamber, G. J., Lansbury, R. D. and Wailes, N. (2012) International and Comparative
Employment Relations: Globalisation and Change, Allen and Unwin, ISBN:
9781742370651 may be ordered from [email protected]
___________________________________________________________________________
European Commission (2012) White Paper on Pensions (16/02/2012). White Paper on
Pensions .
This document is the follow up of the Green Paper 'Towards adequate, sustainable and safe
European pension systems' published in July 2010. Its purpose was to initiate a European
debate on the key challenges concerning pensions, the main question being: how can the EU
best support the efforts of Member States to ensure adequate, sustainable and safe pensions
for their citizens both now and in the future. On the basis of the responses to the open
consultation launched by the Green Paper, the White Paper identifies the most important
measures to be taken forward in this respect at the European level.
___________________________________________________________________________
International Labour Review, Vol. 150 (3-4)
Posting of workers, EU enlargement and the globalization of trade in services, by S.
LALANNE
15
Job attitudes, behaviours and well-being among different types of temporary workers in
Europe and Israel, by E.J. GRACIA, J. RAMOS, J. M. PEIRÓ, A. CABALLER and B.
SORA
Primary school student employment and academic achievement in Chile, Colombia, Ecuador
and Peru, by D. POST
Trade union influence in Spanish manufacturing firms, by C. GARCÍA-OLAVERRI and
E.HUERTA
Special feature: DECENT WORK IN GLOBAL PRODUCTION NETWORKS
Decent work in global production networks: Framing the policy debate, by S.
BARRIENTOS, F. MAYER, J. PICKLES and A. POSTHUMA
Economic and social upgrading in global production networks: A new paradigm for a
changing world, by S. BARRIENTOS, G. GEREFFI and A. ROSSI
Economic and social upgrading in global production networks: Problems of theory and
measurement, by W. MILBERG and D. WINKLER
Further reading
Notes and debates
Documents and communications
Book reviews
___________________________________________________________________________
Japan Labor Review, Vol. 9 (1) Winter 2012
Special Edition: ‘Labor Relations in Japan’
Access at http://www.jil.go.jp/english/JLR.htm
Introduction
Articles
Japan's Labor Unions: Past, Present, Future
Unionization of Non-Regular Workers by Enterprise Unions
The Functions and Limits of Enterprise Unions in Individual Labor Disputes
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The Current Status and Significance of General Unions: Concerning the Resolution of
Individual Labor Disputes General Unions and Community Unions, and Japanese
Labor Law
Article Based on Research Report
The Scheduled Increase in the Pension Age a JILPT Research Activities and the Effect
of Job Security Measures for the Elderly in Supporting Their Subsistence
JILPT Research Activities
________________________________________________________________
Calls for Papers, Conferences, Seminars, Symposia, Meetings
International Labour Review
Full details at http://www.ilo.org/public/english/revue/m_scripts/index.htm
Unsolicited articles are welcome and are considered on their merits and in the light of the
overall programme of the Review. All manuscripts are subject to scholarly review and, if
accepted, to editorial revision.
Manuscripts may be submitted as email attachments in English, French or Spanish (if
translated from another language the original should also be provided). They should be
between 7 000 and 10 000 words, with a 100-word abstract.
Manuscripts should be addressed to: the Managing Editor, International Labour Review,
International Labour Office, 4, route des Morillons, CH-1211 Geneva 22, Switzerland. Tel.
+41-22 799 79 03; Fax +41-22 799 61 17; Email: [email protected].
__________________________________________________________________________
International: The E-Journal of International and Comparative Labour Studies
The following is a list of indicative, but far from exhaustive, topic areas: - collective and
individual labour issues; - equality and discrimination; - school-to-work transition; -
industrial relations; - vulnerable workers and precarious working; - employment productivity;
- role of skills and human capital in a global context – immigration issues, labour law. For
more information http://www.adaptbulletin.eu/docs/e_journal_cfp.pdf
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Korea: The Korean Journal of Industrial Relations
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The Korean Journal of Industrial Relations (KJIR) is published by the Korean Industrial
Relations Association. There is no due date for the submission. We receive articles around a
year. Web/URL: http://www.lera.uiuc.edu/news/Calls/2007/Korean%20Journal%20of
%20Industrial%20Relations.htm
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Canada: The Canadian Labour Congress (Ontario Region) and the London and District
Labour Council free workshop in London on migrant labour and immigration issues,
particularly, the government changes to EI and the Temporary Foreign Worker Program in
Canada, June 14, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. To 9:00 p.m at 1-380 Adelaide Street North,
Tolpuddle Co-op Common Room, London, Ontario. For more information and to register,
please contact: Mehdi Kouhestaninejad at: [email protected] OR
Patti Dalton at: [email protected]
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Ireland: IFSAM 2012 Conference, Limerick, Ireland, 26-29 June 2012. Website:
http://www.ifsam.org/
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UK: BUIRA 2012 Conference, University of Bradford, 28 - 30 June 2012. Calls for
abstracts have now closed, however if you have submitted an abstract to the conference
please check that your submission was successfully submitted. As this is the first time we
have used this electronic submission system you may not have been aware that you should
have received this confirmation. If you did not receive confirmation of your submission
please contact [email protected] attaching a copy of your abstract.
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USA: ILERA Study Group (Public Sector)
Leading Public Service Organisations in Challenging Times, July 2-5, 2012 in Philadelphia at
ILERA.
Governments are looking towards their senior civil servants and top managers to implement
challenging programmes of organisational and workforce restructuring and routinely include
leadership as a core competency for top level positions. The study group is interested in
papers that address a number of issues in relation to leadership in a period of restructuring,
not only relating to central government but also in other public services such as health,
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education and municipal services. Abstracts and papers are invited on this topic. We are also
interested in receiving shorter papers from policy makers and practitioners that contributes to
our understanding of current developments. The abstract should be around 500-750 words
and submitted to [email protected] or [email protected] no later than 16th
March 2012. Acceptance decisions will be communicated by the 30 March 2012. Accepted
papers should be submitted by 15 June 2012.Full call for papers:
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/iira/study/publicsector.htm
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USA: ILERA Study Group #9 (Pay Systems)
If you are interested in making a presentation at Study Group #9 the 16th World Congress of
the ILERA in Philadelphia, please send an email with the title and brief description to
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USA: ILERA Study Group (Research Methods)
The study group will meet during, USA, 2–5 July 2012 (http://www.ilera2012.com/). The
focus of the meeting will be on Partisanship in Industrial Relations Research. The aim of
this study group is to examine issues around the topic of whether IR can be truly objective.
Please send abstracts or papers as a Word or 'rtf' file by e-mail to both coordinators: Professor
Keith Whitfield [email protected] and Professor Ralph Darlington
[email protected] no later than Friday 30 March 2012. Acceptance decisions will
be communicated by 15 April 2012. Accepted papers should be submitted by 15 June 2012.
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USA: ILERA - Global Meeting of Deans/Directors/Chairs of Programs in Industrial
Relations and Human Resources
In conjunction with the 16th World Congress of ILERA in Philadelphia during 2-5 July,
2012, a global meeting of Deans/Directors/Chairs of university and college programs in
industrial relations and human resources will be held from 4 pm - 5:30 pm on Monday, July
2, 2012. To participate in this forum, please send an email request to: [email protected]
Please include name, address, name of the university, email, phone and some information on
the programs at your university like name of the degree and annual enrollment.
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USA: 16th World Congress of ILERA, 16th World Congress of ILERA, 2-5 July 2012,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Website: http://www.ilera2012.com/
Register at: http://www.ilera2012.com/Registration/default.asp
Reserve accommodation at: http://www.ilera2012.com/Accommodations/default.asp
Review program at: http://www.ilera2012.com/Congress-Program/default.asp
Arrange travel at: http://www.ilera2012.com/General-Information/default.asp
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Australia: Special Issue of Labour and Industry
Governance and CSR: Implications for Labour.
Papers are due to [email protected] by end of August 2012
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Portugal: IREC 2012: Challenges for Public and Private Sector Industrial Relations and
Unions in times of Crisis and Austerity
5-7 September 2012, CIES-ISCTE/IUL, Lisbon, Portugal
Deadlines:
April 30 submission of abstract proposals ; May 30 acceptance of papers; June 15 early bird
registration; August 1 submission of papers
For full details, visit the conference web site at
http://conferencias.cies.iscte.pt/index.php/IREC2012/irec2012
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UK: 2nd International Conference on Vulnerable Workers and Precarious Work in a
Changing World
Date: 10-11 September 2012
Venue: Middlesex University Business School, Hendon campus, The
Burroughs, NW4 4BT, London.
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Germany: Call for Papers "Temporary Organization and Workers’ Representation"
Special Issue of Industrielle Beziehungen - The German Journal of Industrial Relations.Guest
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editors: Michael Fichter & Jörg Sydow, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany. Deadline for
submission is September 30, 2012. All submitted manuscripts will be subject to a double-
blind review process. The publication of the SI in planned for summer 2013. For more
information please visit www.hampp-verlag.de/hampp_e-journals_IndB.htm or contact
Prof. Dr. Jörg Sydow, Freie Universität Berlin, School of Business & Economics, Dept of
Management, Boltzmannstraße 20, D-14195 Berlin, Germany.
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.wiwiss.fu-berlin.de/institute/management/sydow/index.html
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Australia: Call for papers: Skills and the role of HRM – Change, Challenges and
Competition in the Asia Pacific Region
Special issue of the Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources
Abstracts (maximum 500 words) to be submitted by 30 October 2012.
Papers may address the following themes although other relevant themes will be welcome:
1. The impact of competitive labour markets in the Asia Pacific region;
2. Identification of major future skills issues and possibilities for capacity building,
promotion and realisation;
3. The development of frameworks for the creation of these future skills, and the
accordant responsibilities of governments, industry, unions and universities; and
4. Proposals for research and industry agendas/partnerships to address the changes,
challenges and competition.
Contacts: Professor Julia Connell, Curtin University: [email protected] or
Professor Pauline Stanton, Victoria University: [email protected]
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Canada: International Interuniversity Research Centre on Globalization and Work
(CRIMT) Conference, on Union Futures: Innovations, Transformations, Strategies,
October 25th to 27th 2012, HEC Montréal, Montreal, Canada.
Original academic and actor contributions are invited on one or more of the following
themes. 1. What do Unions Stand For? 2. Who do Unions Represent? 3. What are the
Dynamics of Union Activism? 4. What are the Strategies for Union Power? 5. How do
Unions Innovate? For details on each of these themes and on how to submit proposals, see
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the full call for papers at http://www.crimt.org/UnionFutures.html . The deadline for
submission of proposals is April 30th, 2012. They must be sent to Nicolas Roby, CRIMT
Scientific Coordinator at nicolas.roby at umontreal.ca.
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Australia: Pacific Employment Relations Association Conference, Hervey Bay,
Queensland, Australia, 19 to 21 November, 2012. Information at http://www.pera.net.au.
Theme: People, Management and Employment Issues: Sustainability, Inclusiveness and
Knowledge Management. Full paper 13 September 2012.
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Australia: 27th AIRAANZ Conference, 6-8 February 2013, Freemantle, Western Australia.
Information from www.conferencewa.com.au/airaanz2013; email [email protected];
email [email protected] . Submission deadline for refereed papers 21 September
2012.
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Australia: 8th Asian Regional Congress of the International Labour and Employment
Relations Association, 9-12 April 2013, Melbourne, Victoria.
Theme: Work and Employment in the Asian Century
The program will be organised around four track themes:
1. The changing contours of employment relations and labour market regulation.
2. Human Resource management – trends and challenges.
3. The future of worker voice and representation, and
4. Globalisation, corporate social responsibility and decent work.
Call for Abstracts Open, February 2012; Deadline for Special Interest Symposia,
27 July 2012; Deadline for Abstract Submissions, 28 September 2012; Registration Open
11 April 2012.
For more details about the program, please click here:
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The Netherlands: 10th European Conference of the International Labour and
Employment Relations Association, Imagining new employment relations and new
solidarities. Amsterdam, 20 - 22 June 2013
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Australia: Fifth International Community, Work and Family Conference, The fifth
international Community, Work and Family Conference will take place at the University of
Sydney, 15-17 July 2013. Information at www.CWF2013.aifs.gov.au
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Other Sites
ILO: The International Institute for Labour Studies (IILS) was established by the
International Labour Organization in 1960 as a centre for advanced studies in the social and
labour fields. It produces the annual "World of Work Report". The International Labour
Review, a global multidisciplinary journal of labour and social policies is also published
under the aegis of the IILS.
http://www.ilo.org/
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UK: Working Lives Research Institute
Subscribe to the WLRI mailing list for regular news updates, including our regular WLRI
electronic-newsletter, and subscribe to our WLRI press release mailing list.
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