On 17 June 2008, Italcementi, the fifth largest cement producer in the world based in Bergamo Italy, signed an international framework agreement with the Building and Wood Workers' International (BWI) and its Italian affiliates, Filca-Cisl, Feneal-Uil and Fillea-Cgil with the aim to secure trade union and social rights of employees working on Italcementi projects worldwide. Italcementi commits itself to promote the same principles with its subsidiaries, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers.

Italcementi has a worldwide presence in 22 countries, in four continents, through an industrial network of 62 cement plants, 15 grinding centres, 5 stand alone terminals, 610 concrete batching units and 139 aggregates quarries. In 2007, Italcementi Group consolidated revenues amounted to more than 6 billion euro. Italcementi has more than 23,000 employees worldwide.

Anita Normark, general secretary of the BWI says "I was very pleased to sign this thirteenth international framework agreement with Italcementi based on the ILO fundamental rights at work. Through close cooperation with the company and with the colleagues of the three Italian unions and the EWC, we will work on improving working conditions worldwide. By signing such an agreement, Italcementi, has undertaken to comply with and promote the fundamental principles and rights at work established in the International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions".

The international framework agreement (IFA) commits the company to adhere to the ILO core labour standards, including clauses on freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining, no forced or child labour and no discrimination in employment. The company also agrees to pay decent wages, be open to trade union activities, fully respect worker and trade union rights, provide a decent healthy and safe work environment, and provide training and development opportunities to its employees.

In addition, the IFA provides for the establishment of a reference group composed of representatives of Italcementi, BWI Italian affiliates, EWC coordinator and BWI coordinator. The reference group will meet at least once a year or whenever necessary.

The agreement was signed by the company represented by Giovanni Ferrario, the new Chief Operating Officer, Silvestro Capitanio, Human Resources and Organisation Development Director, Mario Mora, HR & Organization development, Stefano Gardi, Sustainable Development Dept, Gérard Gosset, HR France and Belgium. In addition, Anita Normark for the BWI, Italian unions, including Domenico Pesenti from Filca-Cisl and members of the European Works Council.

For the agreement in English, click on Related Information. For the Italian version, see here.