Chemical Workers’ Unions from the Trans-Caucasus region voiced their concerns and expectations through a sub-regional workshop entitled “Union Organising, Social Dialogue and Multinational Investments.” Held Tbilisi, Georgia, on 2-3 February, the workshop was jointly organized by the ICEM and its project partner, German-based Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES).

It was attended by 30 trade union representatives from Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey and Russia. The meeting also welcomed ICEM and Norway’s IndustriEnergi (IE).

The Eastern European chemical industry has been experiencing important growth over the last several years. However, this trend has not extended to the Trans-Caucasus region and the chemical industry loses importance in countries’ industrial outputs. This situation leads to a non-sustainable future for the sector and for workers of the sector.

In Armenia, for example, a company called Nairit is the only chemicals concern with meaningful employment, and the future of Nairit is unclear due to bankruptcy. In Azerbaijan, through the Chemical Industry Improvement decree of 2 April 2010, by which the chemicals company Azerikimya was incorporated into the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR).

In Georgia, a company by the name of Azoti in the city of Rustavi remains the largest chemical enterprise in Georgia but the situation in both Georgia and Azerbaijan presents repercussions to unions, since in both countries unions have become part of bigger unions. This is likely to occur in Armenia, as well.

“International solidarity and cooperation is the only way for securing the future of members of our unions” said Irakli Petriashvili, President of Georgian Trade Union Confederation (GTUC) during an opening speech. Petriashvili was given the Elisabeth Velasquez Award of the Netherlands’ FNV Confederation for 2011 for the defense of trade union rights during World Day for Decent Work in October 2011.

“Union solidarity is needed in Georgia at this time when the government exerts systematic attacks on trade union rights,” said Matthias Jobelius, FES Regional Director for the South Caucasus, based in Tbilisi.

Following an analysis of the global chemicals industry through an ICEM presentation, trade union representatives delivered country reports. The main issue in all countries of the sub-region is organising new members and establishing a mature and productive industrial relationship based on social dialogue. Another key problem in the region is the issue of how to cope with multinational investments. Trade unions often have difficulties in acquiring the necessary competences in this area of work.

Union representatives from Turkey, Russia and Norway shared their experiences with participants.

The workshop gave clear lines on how to give a boost to union organising and to develop social dialogue, particularly with and within multinational companies. Along with this, the meeting opened a way for continuous cooperation among the unions of the sub-region.

“This workshop addressed the needs of our members in the chemical industry in the region,” said Kemal Özkan, ICEM’s Director of Industry and Corporate Affairs. “Our focus to support the unions of the Trans-Caucasus region will remain a priority for the ICEM.”