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AGREEMENT
BETWEEN SKANSKA AND THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF BUILDING AND WOOD WORKERS (IFBWW) Skanska
and IFBWW signed on 8th February 2001 in Stockholm an
international agreement on workers rights. The agreement applies to all
units and subsidiaries in the Skanska Group. Skanska is committing itself to
comply with national legislation and all ILO (International Labour
Organisation) Conventions and Recommendations that are relevant to the
company’s operations. Skanska and the IFBWW deem it important that the
content of this agreement should be made known to the company’s sites in
the language of the respective site, and that subcontractors should also be
informed of the agreement. An application group consisting of Skanska’s
Director of Personnel, the working committee of the Skanska European Works
Council, and IFBWW will handle reporting on the compliance with the
agreement and any departures from. Ulf Asp, IFBWW General
Secretary stated that employers such as Skanska have a significant influence
in shaping labour policy and practices; this influence has increased
dramatically as a result of globalisation. Against this background the IFBWW
welcomes the agreement with Skanska because it will contribute definitely to
improve working and living conditions of thousands of building workers.
IFBWW signed similar workers rights agreements with IKEA (furniture),
Faber-Castell (pencils) and Hochtief (construction). "The IFBWW places
a high priority on developing constructive social dialogue and the basis for
sound industrial relations and the sustainable development of our
industries", said the IFBWW General Secretary. Claes Björk, CEO Skanska,
said, “This agreement concerns important issues that Skanska obviously
shall live up to. It feels good, that we reached this agreement with the
IFBWW. It forms a very important part of the ongoing work within the company
on Corporate Social Responsibility.” Skanska
is one of the world’s leading companies in building-related services and
project development. Skanska’s activity is intended to provide for
people’s needs for homes, working environments and communications
possibilities. Since starting in 1887, Skanska has built up a global network
with operations in some 60 countries. IFBWW
is an international trade union secretariat that organises employees in the
building, woodworking, forestry, and closely related industries. IFBWW’s
primary task is to promote and protect employees’ rights in the
aforementioned industries. IFBWW currently groups over 11 million members in
283 trade unions in 124 countries. The full text of the agreement is attached. Please contact for further information Ulf Asp 0041793713064, email ulf.asp@ifbww.org; Anita Normark, 0041792126882, anita.normark@ifbww.org; Marion F. Hellmann, 0041794748370, email marion.hellmann@ifbww.org Annex
1 to the agreement of 8 February 2001 between A. Employment is chosen voluntarily (ILO Conventions 29 and 105) There shall be no compulsory labour, slave labour or other non-voluntary
labour used at Skanska sites. No person shall be obliged to deposit a
passport, money, identity document, or valuable document with the employer or
a representative of the employer for the purpose of such action being linked
with employment on inhuman conditions over which the employer alone has
control. B. No discrimination in employment (ILO Conventions 100 and 111) Equal treatment and equal opportunities shall apply to all, regardless
of sex, skin colour, religion, nationality, ethnic affiliation, social origin,
or other distinguishing criteria. C. Child labour shall not be used (ILO Conventions 138 and 182) Only persons aged 15 years and over or who are over the compulsory
school age if that is higher may be used as labour at Skanska’s sites. If
national legislation sets other age limits, they shall be taken into
consideration. Apprenticeship programs in support of employee training shall
be encouraged provided all participants are of legal age. D. Right to form a union (ILO Conventions 87, 98 and 135, and
recommendation 143) The right of employees to form or to join a trade union shall be
recognised in accordance with the country’s laws and principles. The
employees’ trade-union representatives shall not suffer discrimination and
they shall be given access to such sites as are necessary to perform the
mandates that the members have given them for legitimate reasons. The employer
and the employer’s representatives shall respect the activities of the trade
union. E. Fair pay Pay and other terms of employment shall at least be in compliance with
national agreements or laws. Deductions from pay that are not permitted by
national law shall not be made. Every employee shall be given in writing and
individually understandable information on pay conditions and labour relations
and on the details of pay for each payment period in the language that is the
official language at the site. F. Reasonable working hours Working hours shall be in accordance with national laws and agreements. G. Labour relations A safe and hygienic working environment shall be provided. The best
occupational safety measures, for protection against accidents and of a
preventive nature, that are available on the current market shall be promoted.
If satisfactory safety from illness or accidents cannot be achieved by other
means, personal safety equipment shall be provided and used. Threats, physical
violence, and sexual or other harassment by the employer or the
representatives thereof are strictly prohibited. Where employees are provided with accommodation directly connected with
a construction site, such accommodation shall be so planned that a reasonable
standard is attained. H. Established terms of employment Obligations to employees under national laws and agreements relating to
social security that are based on permanent employment terms shall be
respected and complied with. Where local conditions so permit, permanent
employment shall be an objective. There shall be no apprenticeship programs
whose real purpose or real aim is not to impart knowledge or skills. Updated by SP. Approved by MS. Last updated: 7
February 2001
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