Japan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan
Energy union campaigns for pay increases
The All-Russia electricity workers' union has been organising a series of pickets, protests and other actions in support of a significant pay rise to compensate for several years without any increase. The key demands are for a 25% pay increase and minimum wage in the industry of R6827 (around €170) from January 2013. Read the our solidarity message and union press release at > EPSU (EN, RU)
Electricity union signs new three-year deal
On March 18 the All Russian Electrounion signed a new sector agreement for the period 2013-2015. This comes at the end of a lengthy campaign with the union determined to secure an increase in minimum rates after three years without a pay rise. The minimum monthly wage rate of first-grade workers in electrical power organizations should reach 9000 Rubles by 2015. Both EPSU and PSI sent messages of support during the union's campaign. Read more at > EPSU
ITUC protests over proposed strike law changes
The International Trade Union Confederation has written a letter of protest to the speaker of the Kyrgyz parliament over plans to restrict the right to strike. If the legislation is enacted then strikes in strategic enterprises could be deemed illegal and trade unions subject to criminal charges. Read more at > ITUC (EN)
Union warns government over state of health service
The HWURF health workers' union has written an open letter expressing its grave concerns about the state of the health service. The letter was sent to the President, Prime Minister and the speakers of both chambers of the National Assembly. The union argues that funding for the service is critically low, threatening the quality of care. There is no provision for pay increases for 2016 and health workers across the country are seeing average pay fall as the prices of goods and services rise. With a recruitment shortage workers in the sector are having to work 50% or 100% more to try to maintain
Economic situation and workers’ rights, organizing, privatization, PSI Congress top agenda in Russia-Central Asia constituency
Outsourcing of laundry services in hospitals, the establishment of private clinics and how to represent and defend workers were some of the developments that confront the Kyrgyz and Tajik health unions.
EPSU condemns terror attack in St. Petersburg metro
It is with solidarity that we react to acts of terror says EPSU following the terror attack in the St. Petersburg metro. The bomb blast killed 14 people and left 50 injured on that metro ride between the Sennaya Ploshchad and Teknologocheskii Institut stations on 3 April.
Japanese and European public service unions condemn secrecy in trade negotiations and the lack of a progressive agenda addressing people’s concerns
Today Public services unions from Europe and Japan have sent an open letter to Cecilia Malstrom and Fumio Kishida demanding greater transparency in the negotiations to reach a trade agreement between Japan and the EU (JEFTA).
Union calls for more funding to boost health workers' pay
The health workers' union has called for increased funding for the sector to deal with the major problem of healthworkers' pay. The union reports that an analysis of wage developments in the first half of 2017 found that average pay for doctors and other medical staff actually fell in seven Russian regions while in contrast wages in industry increased. The wide range of salaries across the country is exacerbating staff shortages and the union highlights the fact that in many institutions the pay bill is the first to be cut in order to fund other areas of health spending.