Helsinki (27.05.2004 – Juhani Artto) How do Finnish-based multinationals behave away from home, and especially in remote developing countries? This is a question that also interests the Finnish trade union movement. The most thorough way to investigate this issue is through studies made by recognised research institutes with close links to the trade unions.
A study* of the employer policy of Nokia Plc at its plant in Manaus in Brazil has attracted considerable attention. This was clear, for example, from the interest shown in the report that we publicised here (New study on working conditions: Nokia employer policies in Brazil respectable, but concerns voiced about shares of various stakeholders).
The Nokia report was followed in November 2003 by a study on the employer policy of Metso Minerals at its Vereeniging plant in South Africa. Like Nokia, Metso Minerals fares reasonably well when analysed critically from the viewpoint of workers’ rights. The English report (PDF) and the response of Metso Minerals South Africa are now available on the net.
The study of the Metso Minerals plant in Vereeniging is part of a pilot project seeking to create a research network in southern and western Africa. Along with Metso Minerals, the pilot study covers the behaviour of parts of two South African retail chains, Shoprite in Zambia and Zimbabwe, and Woolworths in Ghana.
The pilot studies are the work of the African Labour Research Network – ALRN, which has close links with the trade union movement. The South African Naledi policy research institute is also involved in the project. The Finnish project partners are the SAK trade union confederation, the Finnish Metalworkers Union and the Union of Salaried Employees – TU. These organisations have co-financed the project, but most of the financing comes from Finland's official development aid programme. The project is implemented and co-ordinated by the Trade Union Solidarity Centre of Finland – SASK.
*Nokia do Brasil Tecnologia Ltda, social and labor conduct, executive summary, by Social Observatory, July 2002