The Decent Work, Decent Life Campaign in the European Parliament
On Wednesday, 3rd September, campaigners from Solidar and ITUC took action to collect signatures of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). They managed to collect 180 signatures, 111 of which were from MEPs.

Among key people who signed was the head of the British PES (Party of European Socialists) delegation, Mr. Titley; the head of the Italian PES delegation, Mr. Pittella; EP vice president Cocilovo; the EP Employment Committee chairperson, Mr Emilio Gabaglio; and the decent work reporter Ms. Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou.

As follow-up to the action:

• the names of all MEPs having signed the CTA will be published online;
• a message will be sent to invite those who have not signed to do it online by WDDW;
• pictures taken will be sent to MEPs, and we will try to download them all online in the decentwork.org photo gallery.

Also, the Decent Work Decent Life campaign has been invited by Mr Rasmussen to give a hand in preparation of the next big event that GPF will organise in 2009.

Decent Work Check in India, Netherlands and South Africa Decent means how your work should be. Compare your working conditions with the international standards and read on how they are applied in South Africa or India. At the end of the checklist you will see how things stand for you. You may be better off than what the international standards prescribe, but you should not be worse off. Behind every answer, you can find a short explanation of what your rights are, on both the international and national level, so that you see right away how you can improve your situation.

Photo Exhibitions on Decent Work Related Themes
These photo exhibitions are accredited to CCOO-Catalonia

Photo exhibition, I am looking for a job

Photo exhibition, Gold

Photo exhibition, Maquilas: the laboral exploitation of 21st century

Photo exhibition, Not a game

Indian Trade Union Urges Less Iron Ore Exports
Alarmed by reports and estimations that India will run out of iron ore in 30 to 40 years, the Hind Mazdoor Sabha (Indian Center of Trade Unions, HMS) urged a ban in ore exports. HMS’s vice president, Mr Rajendra Prasad Singh, stated that Indian steel makers demanded some sort of control of the export of iron ore. India’s iron ore exports grew on average 7.3% annually during the last decades; this figure puts a threat on the sustainability of the local iron and steel industries.

With info: Calcutta Telegraph

First Union Online TV Channel
The Spanish Trade Union Comfia CCOO successfully launched the first online TV website of the labour movement. The news report covers stories (generally, although not exclusively) with local and international interest on labour issues, such as the National Health Day in Spain and the increase in food prices.

The weekly show is foreseen becoming an actual IP-TV in the future is established in a portal that provides information on several related issues. The channel is supported by a series of other organizations.

Croatian Parliament Approves New Gender Equality Law
The Croatian Parliament has approved a new gender equality law that for the first time levies fines for discrimination based on sex. Trade unions, through their representation in the official national working group, were part of this process. The gender equality law aims to improve the situation of women by forbidding discrimination at work, in textbooks, in media or in politics. Employers are now forbidden to ask potential female employees whether they plan to have children – a routine question that often negatively affected a woman’s chances of getting the job. The new law also requires employers to provide equal wages and promotion opportunities.