Organising in Transnational Corporations

Having read the reports of the various circles we have found that they had much in common, and much in common with Barbados. We share concerns with the other countries such as poor getting poorer and the rich getting richer, privatisation of the state enterprises and services and also retrenchments. This has led to the laying-off of hundreds of workers and the starting up of a poverty alleviation programme by the government. The privatisation programme has seen us selling off some of our major assets such as the Cement plant, Telecommunications and a hotel chain in which the workers had shares. This chain was sold to a national at a very low price, as was the case in Bulgaria. They also sold the majority of shares in the only dairy on the island.

We also share the problem of speculation of the workers' right to freedom of association. Like most of the other groups the TNC's are attracted to this part of the region because of low wages and incentives and also due to the high level of unemployment. We share the views of others that the strengthening of international consumer boycotts to pressure TNC's into adhering the laws and regulations of the countries. Also workers should lobby governments not to accept TNC's proposals that are disadvantageous to host countries and workers.

Strategies to Protect Workers' Rights in Transnational Corporations

After studying the codes of conduct we agree that they would be very effective. However we further realise that in order to be powerful enough to stand by themselves they need an independent group of persons to oversee that the terms and conditions set out by these codes are carried out globally.

Yes we are in total agreement with the ICFTU model code of labour practice in such that they will provide a base upon which you have guidelines to follow.

Our code of conduct would reflect aspects of the clean clothes campaign, specifically: