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Most metalworkers belong to one of the two metalworkers' unions - the Machinery and Metallurgical Workers' Trade Union and the National Defence Industry Workers' Union. But in the eyes of the IMF, these are not free and independent unions. The main reason for that is that the Communist Party supervises their activities. Another reason is that structurally they belong to the confederation ACFTU, like branches.
Traditional trade union activity - like bargaining - is generally very low, and only emerging in enterprises owned by foreign multinational companies. Where trade unions are strong at home, trade union activity is more likely to exist at plant level in China. This is the case for VW, Volvo and General Motors.
International trade union bodies are monitoring the situation in China, but many of them are cautious with their contacts. If contacts mean cooperation, this could be interpreted as democratic trade unions legitimating the structure and policies of the Chinese trade unions. And notwithstanding pressure from the ICFTU and the IMF, the Chinese metalworkers' trade union has not yet disapproved of the imprisonment of hundreds of trade union activists in the country.
"We can never have a discussion with the trade union without the Party being present. That is not workable," says Marcello Malentacchi, IMF general secretary.
China is now entering the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The presence of multinationals in China will increase, and so the possibilities for trade unionism.
"Currently, the only way to promote trade unions in China is via the multinationals. The Swedish metalworkers' union and Germany's IG Metall are for example supporting some trade union educational programmes at enterprise level," says Malentacchi.
Malentacchi foresees that the issue of China, and how to work with the trade unions there, is a question which will be discussed in the IMF Executive Committee in the near future.
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