IGG – Basisgewerkschaftssektionen: Landwirtschaft | Forst | Gartenbau | Umweltberufe
Dear comrades, colleagues, supporters,
We would like to call for support for unionized agricultural workers in the region of Almeria (Andalusia in Spain). With a little research while shopping you can support the workers of the class struggle union SOC-SAT and the organization Interbrigadas.
Research when shopping for vegetables – this is how it works:
Continue reading “Active during shopping: Documenting in support of agricultural workers in Spain!”
Even though it is peak season for our members in horticulture and agriculture, our trade union initiative is growing – and establishing further contacts, including across national borders. For example, IGG trade unionists met with Andalusian trade unionists from SOC-SAT from the scandalous farming region of Almeria and the “Jornaleras de Huelva” (day laborers in struggle, Huelva). Mediated by the organization “Interbrigadas”, we discussed greenwashing by organic associations, supply chains and possible international forms of struggle. The working conditions described by the colleagues were shocking on the one hand, but unfortunately also very similar to the practices of cheating and exploitation that we are familiar with from our everyday trade union life in Germany. We also visited a SoLaWi together and discussed the concept from the perspective of precarious agricultural workers. The first face-to-face meeting of our young initiative is scheduled for the end of August; the main topics will be further strategy and the formation of regional structures.
Migrant workers, especially in agriculture, are still affected by serious labor law violations, wage dumping and, in some cases, mafia-like violence. In many cases, their brutal exploitation is what makes today’s agricultural industry possible in the first place, but the often labor-intensive organic companies are also heavily involved. In line with the current seasonal labor report, we are now offering flyers with some of the most important labor rights in various languages.
Since the first steps 2022, the number of IGG members has more than doubled. With our initial presence in trade associations, protests and conferences, we were fortunately able to gain many experienced colleagues and thus expertise and different perspectives. At the same time, the complex debates surrounding the farmers’ protests also showed us how important it is to develop a joint analysis and strategy for the IGG in order to be effective in labor disputes and social movements. We have therefore set ourselves this task for 2024.
At the same time, we are working on building regional and sub-sector groups, our multilingualism and our presence in other networks. We invite all interested colleagues to join us on our journey and play an active role in shaping the IGG.