1. ITUC Human and Trade Union Rights Department PERC HTUR Network Nadine Thevenet PERC Summer School, Bratislava September 2009 www.ituc-csi.org

2. Context www.ituc-csi.org Reorganisation of the HTUR Department Steven Benedict, new director Nadine Thevenet in charge of PERC issues Set up of the HTUR Committee and Networks Strenghening of regional capacities on TURs Existence of legal networks within the region Build on former experiences

3. Role of the HTUR Department www.ituc-csi.org Coordination Follow-up of the PERC Network activities Follow-up of European issues impacting TURs (EU, ECHR, …) in relation with ETUC and ETUI Regional cooperation to ITUC activities ILO supervisory mechanisms CEARC comments CFA complaints Annual Survey Protest letters and appeals Liaison with PERC Regular contribution to the PERC Newsletters Regular contacts between the 2 departments Exchange of information Contact point Information on TURs Support and advise affiliates on issues related to HTURs and during the adoption of new legislation

4. Objectives of the HTUR Department www.ituc-csi.org Increase regional participation and autonomy – ILO supervisory mechanisms – ITUC solidarity action – Exchange of experience Building regional activities on TURs – Campaigns – Seminars – Training – Research Setting up regional reporting mechanisms – Planning and communication channels – Report to the ITUC HTUR Committee each year

5. Building on existing Networks www.ituc-csi.org Existing PERC networks SEE TU Network Other subregions’ experience? ETUC Netlex - coordinated by ETUI Wiebke Composed by approx. 130 lawyers Focus on UE labour/social laws ( + ESC and ILO when relevant) One SEE Netlex Activities: Exchange of information and capacity building on UE Labour issues Legal advice to new candidate countries Annual conference Other HTUR Networks Africa, Asia and Latin America We will discuss and draw the lessons learnt from those networks

6. Role of the Regional Networks www.ituc-csi.org At national level To report national issues/activities to the network To ensure transmission of network’s information at national level Contribute to HTUR activities At regional level Exchange of good practices and experiences Develop regional activities on TURs Research Crisis and its impact on TURs in Europe New attack on TURs Etc Capacities building Legal support Report to HTUR Committee

7. HTUR Networks - Objectives www.ituc-csi.org A focal HTUR person per country to ensure operational work and stability Objectives – Enable operational work within the region on each HTUR issue – Ensure automatic dissemination and exchange of HTUR information within the region Letters of protest and appeals Input to the Annual Survey – Increase participation in and development of campaigns – Follow-up of activities within the region and report to the HTUR Committee

8. Annual Survey www.ituc-csi.org Objective: Improve the quality, the use of the survey and the visibility of the ITUC Annual Survey Reminder: the Annual Survey country profiles are sent to the CEARC annually as well as used for other purposes (ESP WTO reports, etc) HTUR department - Revision of the Survey –Content: Questionnaire on the Survey to be answered –Format: New Structure being developed –Legal part –Affiliates have/will receive(d) the legal part of their country profile in a new structure: to be checked and completed by the end of September –Violations –Detailed and concrete information –Sources of information –Updated information (cases follow-up) –A database will be developped –Further analysis, « statistics » and transversal reports –Need for comparable and reliable data

9. Annual Survey (2) www.ituc-csi.org Role of the PERC HTUR Network –Need to contribute to the enhancement of the information flow and quality Regular reports Changes in legal framework Cases of violations (documented and followed-up) Weakness of current input More dynamic information gathering and checking by affiliates Need to enable a better visibility Communication tools Enlarge the audience National and regional promotion Affiliates Media Governements NGOs Regional reports/analysis Specific regional topics to be highlighted

10. Solidarity Actions www.ituc-csi.org Protest letters and appeals - objective Increase affiliates' participation in HTUR actions to ensure concrete results – Protest letters Need to communicate relevant, clear and detailed information to the HTUR Department Elaboration of protest letters by the affiliates How to ensure the protest letters have a real impact? » Dissemination » National networks – Appeals Need to increase solidarity action within the region and with other regions » Regular respond to appeals » Dissemination and follow-up Need to reach concrete critical mass with appeals to have a real impact » Today participation is rather low

11. Solidarity Actions (2) www.ituc-csi.org Campaigns - Objective: Increase research and analysis on specific countries and issues – Country campaigns In case of crisis / countries at risk » Belarus » Georgia » Others? Long term sustained campaign – Thematic campaigns Need to develop specific regional thematic campaigns » New ideas for campaigns relevant for the region – Increase visibility of campaigns - How to promote a campaign? What kind of materials to be developed? Lead on a campaign by a specific country Targeted audience

12. Objective: Enhance affiliates' understanding and contribution –Supervisory Mechanisms Submissions to CEACR Comments on Governments' Reports to the CEACR Within the ILO schedule – before September 1st Complaints to the CFA Region: How the network could increase affiliates’ participation and quality of contribution How to strenghen this participation? What capacities/means are lacking? www.ituc-csi.org Input to ILO work

13. Training www.ituc-csi.org Objective: training should enable concrete capacity development within the region and should be focused Identify training needs for the region – Specific regional topics – Building on capacities TO BE DISCUSSED

14. Steps forward – Work in small groups www.ituc-csi.org How to strenghen the work on TUR in the region within the new context and by building on existing networks and former experiences? Concrete and operational working plan Reporting mechanisms Communication channels What should the PERC HTUR Network focus on? Subjects Specific PERC TUR issues Activities at PERC regional level Training What issues remain unclear? To strenghten the capacity of the network How to concretly organize and work? What did not work so far? To make sure it works Specific activities, concrete commitments Building on existing networks, past experiences and concrete capacities NETWORK Workplan to be endorsed by the PERC Summer School

15. Thank you and never hesitate to contact us www.ituc-csi.org Contact details within HTUR Department Nadine Thevenet HTUR Officer in charge of the PERC Region Boulevard du Roi Albert II 5, B 1, BE-1210 Brussels, Belgium Email: nadine.thevenet@ituc-csi.orgnadine.thevenet@ituc-csi.org Tel (direct): 00 32 2 224 03 10