FNV and CNV would like to inform you on the actions taken by the Dutch trade unions in support of the international day for action on the right to strike.

FNV and CNV, both member of the ITUC and IndustriAll, have sent letters to at least 50 companies, informing them about the conflict within the ILO on ILO Convention 87 and the right to strike. We have been asking these companies to support the international protection by the ILO of the right to strike as a fundamental right. A (small) number has already responded in a positive way.

On february 18th we will confront the Dutch employers association VNO-NCW with these reactions. Unfortunately large corporation with official policies on International Corporate Responsibility and human and workers’ rights have not reacted in a positive way.

With a small demonstration ‘hands off our right to strike’ we will convey the message to the employers and the employers association VNO-NCW, which is supporting the employers position in the ILO. We will expose that they are hypocritical in their policies. Of course we hope to create some publicity, also, and thus inform the broader public of the conflict in the ILO.