News
MESSAGES OF SOLIDARITY TO UNI AFFLIATES & COLLEAGUES IN JAPAN part 1/2
Over the last few days, UNI Apro have received messages of solidarity from UNI Family to our colleagues and affiliates in Japan. We appreciate your caring and sharing act towards our resilient Japanese colleagues and affiliates. These messages are shared here to keep our Japanese brothers and sisters accompanied in spirit to overcome the challenges.
Below is a list of message senders (continue to be updated). If you have sent the message of solidarity but cannot find your name/ organization in the list, please help update UNI Apro Secretariat at secretariat@uni-apro.org.sg. Also if you would like to send messages of solidarity to our Japanese affiliates, you can find the contact list attached for your reference. Please kindly cc to UNI Apro Regional Secretary at chrisng@uni-apro.org.sg should you wish to be kept in our record.
Joe De Bryun, President, UNI Global Union
Philip J. Jennings, General Secretary, UNI Global Union
Christopher NG, Regional Secretary, UNI Apro
Johannes Studinger, Head of UNI MEI
SUHADA, President Commerce Sectore, Aspek Indonesia
Muhamad Hakim, President and Muhamad Rusdi, General Secretary, ASPEK, Indonesia
Hoang Huy Loat, President, Viet nam National Union of Post and telecom Workers, Viet Nam
Chandrasekaran Rajamanikam, General Secretary, National Union of Newspaper Workers Malaysia
Jacqueline Park, Director, Asia-Pacific Regional Office, International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
J Solomon, General Secretary, National Union of Bank Employees, Malaysia || President, ASEAN Bank Union Council
Kim, Moon-ho, President of Korean Financial Industry Union
Jung Yong-Geon, Chairman, UNI-KLC
Milind Nadkarni, President, UNI-ILC
Bro. Jun Umali, Secretary General, UNI-PLC
Willie Tan, Secretary, UNI-SLC
Somboon Subsarn, Director of UNIDOC Thailand
Mohamed Shafie Bp Mammal, President of UNI MLC || General Secretary of ASEAN Services Employees Trade Union Council (ASETUC)
Muhammad Rana, Secretary General, Pak Telecom Employees Union (CBA)
Deepa Nir
Lekha Prasad Burlakoti, President- UNI Nepal Liaison Council
Iftikhar Shaikh, GS UNI PALC
Dipa Bharadwaj, General Secretary, UNICOME , Nepal
Faridah Abdullah, Secretary, Telekom Sales And Services Sdn. Bhd.
Thomas Koczelnik, Chairperson, Corporate Works Council, Deutsche Post AG
Frank Bsirske, Chairman, Vereinte Dienstleistungs-gewerkschaft Bundesverwaltung
Ken Lewenza, National President, CAW Canada
From: Joe De Bryun, President, UNI Global Union
To: Mr Kiyoshi Ochiai, President, UNI LC Japan, Japan
Date: March 16, 2011 11:41:40 GMT+08:00
Subject: Message to the President of UNI LC Japan, K. Ochiai
Dear Brother Ochiai,
I am writing to express the shock and the horror of all of the affiliates of UNI around the world at the extraordinary tragedy that has unfolded in Japan following the devastating earthquake and the destructive tsumani which came without warning on Japan last week.
The degree of suffering and destruction that these two natural disasters have brought to large areas of the east coast of Japan is almost impossible to comprehend.
On behalf of all of the affiliates of UNI around the world we wish to express our solidarity with all of the affiliates of UNI in Japan and join with you in prayer at the suffering and death and destruction of property which has occurred to so many people in Japan and particularly to members of our affiliated unions.
We wish to express our sincere condolences to all the families of people in Japan where they have suffered the loss of loved ones.
We also wish to express our desire for a rapid recovery to those who have been injured.
Finally, we are shocked at the level of destruction of property that has occurred and we understand that many people will struggle to restore their homes and their livelihood in the weeks and months ahead.
This has been a shocking natural disaster which comes after other natural disasters of lesser magnitude which have been suffered in New Zealand and in Australia in recent weeks.
We wish to express our solidarity with all the affiliates in Japan at this time of great tragedy and loss.
Yours in solidarity.
From: Philip J. Jennings, General Secretary, UNI Global Union
To: All UNI affiliates
Members of the UNI World Executive Board (titular and substitute members)
Date: Monday, 14th March 2011
Subject: Devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan
Dear Colleagues,
I know how concerned everyone will be for the health and safety of our members and friends in Japan at this time of national disaster. It was only a short while ago that we were in Japan for the UNI Global Union World Congress. We had a brilliant congress built on the commitment of our affiliates, their members and of course the red jacket volunteers. Everyone in Japan is deeply impacted by the devastating earthquake. I have been in touch with our Tokyo office staff by email since Friday and this morning I spoke with Brother Eiichi Ito, Director of our Tokyo office.
The massive earthquake of a magnitude of 9.0, followed by the tsunami that hit the north eastern and north Kanto region of the Japanese mainland, occurred in the early afternoon of 11 March during working hours. It would appear that the death toll will reach into tens of thousands of people, as towns and villages have been totally destroyed.
Our Tokyo office has been in contact with the UNI Liaison Council Japan. Our unions are working on rescue and recovery initiatives. Most unions have been affected as they have branches in the north east and north Kanto regions. They are trying to gather information on their missing members and their families. This is a very difficult task, as post and telecom facilities have been destroyed, so this will take time. Three members of our Tokyo staff were at the office at the time of the earthquake. Even with the epicentre being some 400 kilometres north east of Tokyo, the tremors still lasted several minutes, shaking high buildings and bringing objects crashing to the ground. It was a terrifying experience for them. Our staff had to stay overnight because all transportation stopped.
This morning, aftershocks are still being felt and not many trains are working due to the serious lack of electricity following the explosions at the nuclear power stations. Tokyo Electric Company announced that there will be rolling power cuts in most cities, except for central Tokyo districts, such as Chiyoda-district, where our office is located. Our staffs are trying to collect as much information as possible from our affiliates and will continue to report on the situation.
We will do all that we can to help our Japanese brothers and sisters in this time of tragedy. Affiliates from around the world have already contacted us, asking how they can help and for news of all the wonderful people they met during our World Congress in Nagasaki in November.
International solidarity is extremely important at this difficult time and I encourage affiliates to send messages to their Japanese colleagues. Please find attached a list of affiliates with ontact details. Kindly send a copy of your message to our Tokyo office at the following address: tokyo@uniglobalunion.org
Our Tokyo office is in consultations with our Japanese affiliates with respect to how UNI and our affiliates can contribute to the recovery effort.
Yours sincerely.
From: Christopher NG, UNI Apro Regional Secretary
To: Mr Kiyoshi Ochiai, President, UNI LC Japan, Japan
Date: Monday, March 14, 2011 5:21 PM
Subject: MESSAGE OF SOLIDARITY AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO UNI AFFLIATES IN JAPAN
We are shocked by the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on 11 March 2011 and gravely saddened by the news about the catastrophic impact on the officials, members and their families of the UNI LC Japan.
On behalf of UNI Apro, all the colleagues at the UNI Apro Secretariat and on my own personal behalf, I wish to express our deepest condolences and sympathies to the people of Japan, especially in the areas of Fukushima, Iwate and Miyagi which have bore the brunt of the terrible battering of the earthquake and its aftermath. We share their pain, mourn their loss and join you in praying for the safety and welfare of all your officials and members and all their families and friends.
We also wish to express our solidarity support to all our affiliates and members in Japan and to all who are engaged in the massive work of relief effort and rebuilding. We stand ready to extend our assistance and support in whatever way needed and every way possible.
We believe that the resilience and strength of the people of Japan will enable them to overcome this crisis.
Yours sincerely.
From: Johannes Studinger, Head of UNI MEI
To: MINPOROREN and NIPPORO
Date: Tuesday, 15th March 2011
Dear Colleagues,
On behalf of all UNI MEI affiliates, the UNI MEI Executive Committee chaired by Heinrich Bleicher-Nagelsmann, the PANARTES Executive Committee chaired by Nascimento Silva and the EURO-MEI Executive Committee chaired by William Maunier we would like to express our sincerest condolences to our brothers and sisters over the loss of lives in the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
All our thoughts accompany you in the suffering and sadness that you will feel during the weeks and months to come. We join you in praying for the safety and welfare of our colleagues, their families and friends and all those who are suffering from these terrible events.
We would like to assure you that you can count on our solidarity and that we will remain at your disposal should you require our assistance at any time. We will work with UNI Asia & Pacific in order to give you all possible support, you may need.
Yours Fraternally.
From: SUHADA, President Commerce Sectore, Aspek Indonesia
To: Mr Kiyoshi Ochiai, President, UNI LC Japan, Japan
Date: Monday, March 14, 2011 11:53 AM
Subject: Sympathy from ASPEK Indonesia and ASPEK Commerce Affiliates
We express our sincere sympathy to the families and friends of all the victims affected by the earthquake and Tsunami.
During these several days, ASPEK Indonesia and ASPEK Commerce affiliates called me asking about the condition of UI Zensen officials and members.
As mentioned in their email below, they are very sad by the pain and sufferings of your members due to the earthquake that hit Japan on Friday.
We pray for the safety of all UI Zensen officials and members and all their families and friends.
We are one big family; our Indonesian friends are all with you and prepared to assist in every way possible.
Best regards.
From: Muhamad Hakim, President and Muhamad Rusdi, General Secretary, ASPEK, Indonesia
To: Mr Kiyoshi Ochiai, President, UNI LC Japan, Japan
Date: 16 March 2011
Dear Brother Ochiai,
We are deeply saddened to hear about the massive earthquake and tsunami that has caused the loss of lives, many injuries and colossal damages in Japan.
On behalf of ASPEK INDONESIA, we would like to convey our deepest condolences to all UNION Members of UNI LC Japan and the people of Japan in general, particularly to those who have lost their families, loved ones and properties on this tragic quake disaster. As a very close and long-standing partner, please accept our sincere sympathy and prayers for the people of Japan to overcome the tribulations with incredible resilience and courage.
During this difficult time, we assure our support and assistance within our capability.
With deepest sympathy.
From: Hoang Huy Loat, President, Viet Nam National Union of Post and Telecom Workers, Viet Nam
To: UNI LC Japan and UNI Affiliates in Japan
Date: Tuesday, March 15, 2011 12:33 PM
Subject: Urgent -VNUPTW grant 10.000 USD for NWJ and JPGU
Dear colleagues of Japanese Trade unions
We are extremely sad and shocked to know about the terrible earthquake and tsunami in Japan which has devastated your beautiful country, causing a lot of deaths and casualties for kind hearted and hardworking Japanese people.
In Vietnam, every hour all Vietnamese people track the news updated on TV, on websites and are painful with the loss of the Japanese people.
VNUPTW would like to express our deep condolence to Japan nation, Japanese trade unions, NWJ, JPGU officials and trade union members whose relatives and family members have been death, injured or missing in the disaster.
We already admire the solidarity, unyielding and calm character of Japanese people in the most difficult moments of life. We hope and believe that Japan as well as Japanese trade unions will strongly stand and overcome this disaster.
We would like to send 10.000 USD through UNI-Apro Tokyo Office to grant NWJ and JPGU to assist their members to overcome the situation. This amount comes from contribution of 80.000 members of Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) with their sincere wishes to you.
WNUPTW will always stand by you with solidarity.
Sincerely yours.
From: Chandrasekaran Rajamanikam, General Secretary, National Union of Newspaper Workers Malaysia
To: UNI LC Japan, Japan
Date: March 15, 2011 11:01:24 GMT+08:00
Subject: SUPPORT & DEEPEST SYMPATHY ON THE TERRIBLE TRAGEDY SUFFERED BY JAPANESE PEOPLE
On behalf of the National Union of Newspaper Workers Malaysia we extend our deepest sympathy and support for the terrible tragedy suffered by the Japanese people in the wake of the recent earthquake and tsunami.
Please also convey this deepest sympathy message to Bro. Kyoji Takei, President All Printing Bureau labour Union
We are praying for the Japanese people to overcome this tragedy with calm and determination.
Yours fraternally.
From: J Solomon, General Secretary NUBE Malaysia || President ABUC
To: UNI LC Japan, Japan and UNI Affiliates in Japan
Dear Colleagues
NUBE and ABUC extend our deepest sympathy and our prayers to the People of Japan during this most unexpected sadness. Our hearts pour to those who have lost their loved ones.
We pray that God will contain these sufferings and the People of Japan will be given the courage to overcome the current and any further damages.
We in NUBE and ABUC have you and your family, comrades in UNI and the people of Japan in our prayers at all times.
Yours fraternally.
From: Kim, Moon-ho, President of Korean Financial Industry Union
To: UNI LC Japan, Japan and UNI Affiliates in Japan
Date: March 16, 2011 11:42:44 GMT+08:00
Subject: Message of Solidarity and Encouragement to UNI Affiliates in Japan
Dear brothers and sisters,
We were very shocked at the news that devastating earthquake and tsunami struck the east coast area of Japan on March 11, 2011 to leave a lot of victims including union officials, members and their families of the UNI Japan.
On behalf of the Korean Financial Industry Union, all the brothers and sisters at KFIU would like to express our deepest condolences and sympathies to the people of Japan, especially in the areas of Fukushima, Iwate and Miyagi where were battered by the disastrous earthquake and nuclear aftermath.
We really wish to share their pains, mourn their loss, and pray for the safety of all your union officials and members and all their families & friends. If you need any help from UNI Korean Liaison Council and KFIU, we are ready to give our solidarity support to all the brothers and sisters in Japan.
Every morning and night we see the earthquake and nuclear aftermath news on TV with much worry. However, we are surprised at the sight of calm and orderly people of Japan in spite of very difficult circumstances. We surely believe that all brothers and sisters in Japan can get quick resilience and strength within very short period to overcome this crisis.
We are looking forward to seeing you in good condition as soon as possible.
Sincerely yours.
From: Jung Yong-Geon, Chairman, UNI-KLC
To: Kiyosho Ochiai, President, UNI LC Japan
Date: Monday, March 14, 2011 6:01 PM
Subject: Korean union’s solidarity for Japanese colleagues on the recent Tsunami
We are so much shocked and saddened by the news of the Tsunami and the nuclear power plants explosion in Japan. From the beginning stage of the news coverage we thoroughly observed the situation through media coverage, but we tried to be patient enough to wait until your situation is rather normalized to take our phone calls and solidarity message.
As the closest neighbour country to you, it is beyond our description how we feel so surprised by the Japanese catastrophe from the earthquake. Today’s letter from Philip Jennings and Ito's response were quite helpful for us to understand the recent situation of Japanese affiliates and colleagues in the Tokyo Office.
We also understand that Japanese finance union colleagues cancelled to participate in the UNI Finance Conference due to the country emergent situation.
Now I am in Lisbon to participate in the UNI Finance Conference this week but I will discuss with our unions in Korea for further step of solidarity at the later stage.
We truly and heartfully hope you recover the pains and destruction in the near future and will extend our utmost solidarity to your colleagues in Japan. In particular we really concerned the side effects of the nuclear power plants explosion for Japan which still suffer the scars from the previous bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
But we believe that Japanese people will overcome the crisis through the national unity and international solidarity. We still remember your integrity shown in the last Kobe earthquake as well as Nagasaki Congress which all UNI affiliates appreciate your efforts and integrity.
Regards.
From: Milind Nadkarni, President, UNI-ILC
To: Kiyosho Ochiai, President, UNI LC Japan
Respected Oichiasan,
We have no words to express our sorrow and we are all shocked and grieved at the calamity of epic proportions which has befallen on the Japanese Nation. Our hearts go out to the bereaved families.
We pray to the Almighty to give all of you strength to overcome the tragedy.
On behalf of UNI-ILC and on my personal behalf I extend our deep and heartfelt ondolences.
We would feel gratified to extend any kind of help required from our side.
Yours in grief.
From: Jun Umali, Secretary General, UNI-PLC
To: UNI LC Japan, Japan and UNI Affiliates in Japan
Subject: Fraternal Sympathies
Dear Brothers and Sisters of UNI-LCJ,
We are shocked and saddened by the terrible calamities that have struck Japan. We offer our fraternal sympathy to all Union members who have suffered as a result of this disaster and offer our condolences to those who may have lost loved ones. We pray that the Almighty will prevent further loss of life and damage to property and that your countrymen may quickly recover from these events.
Fraternally yours.
From: Willie Tan, UNI SLC Secretary
To: Kiyoshi Ochiai, Chairman of UNI LC Japan, Japan
Dear Brother Kiyoshi Ochiai,
The 10 affiliated unions in the UNI Singapore Liaison Council are deeply saddened by the devastation caused by the earthquake and tsunami which destroyed homes and claimed many innocent lives.
On behalf of our union members in Singapore, I send our deepest sympathy and condolences to the families directly affected by this tragedy.
Yours fraternally.
From: Somboon Subsarn, Director of UNIDOC Thailand
To: UNI LC Japan, Japan and UNI Affiliates in Japan
Brothers and sisters,
It is with great sadness that we learned of the massive earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan a few hours ago, causing a great deal of loss and damages.
The UNIDOC THAILAND and the entire labour movements in Thailand join us in expressing both our most profound condolences and sympathies, as well as our solidarity with you and the people of Japan, it pains us, are still unfolding.
Our extensive and long-standing ties of solidarity means that Japan is also home to a vast number of Thai both workers and students, whose welfare also represents a paramount concern. During this difficult time, I assure you that we will stands ready, to extend any support and assistance within our capability.
In Solidarity.
From: Mohamed Shafie Bp Mammal, President of UNI MLC
To: UNI LC Japan, Japan and UNI Affiliates in Japan
Date: 17th March 2011
Subject: SOLIDARITY SUPPORT FROM UNI GLOBAL UNION-MALAYSIA
Dear Colleague,
On behalf of the 200,000 members of the 60 affiliated unions in UNI Global Union-Malaysia, their families and all Malaysians, I would like to express our great sorrow and deepest sympathies to all our UNI Global Union families in Japan and also to people of the Japan who are undergoing the greatest challenge in their lives caused by the earthquake and tsunami.
We were all shocked and worried as we witnessed the severity of the conditions in Japan in the various Media and News.
We join the millions of Global Communities to express our solidarity support and wish the people of Japan a quick recovery from this disaster.
We pray that the people of Japan will come out of these difficult and challenging times.
From: Mohamed Shafie Bp Mammal, General Secretary, ASEAN Services Employees Trade Union Council (ASETUC)
To: Kiyoshi Ochiai, President, UNI LC Japan
Takaaki Sakurada, former-President, UNI LC Japan
UNI LC Japan Colleagues
UNI Affiliates in Japan
Subject: SOLIDARITY SUPPORT FOR JAPAN
Dear Respected Brothers and Sisters,
On behalf of the 558,934 workers from 102 member unions of the ASEAN Services Employees Trade Union Council (ASETUC), I would like to express our deepest empathies to all workers, their families in the affected areas from the earthquake, following by the tsunami and the nuclear plant explosion. These challenges are beyond everyone’s imagination. This is a real test of the strength of human resilience, of community strength and of individual dignity. We spend our kind thoughts for those who have gone and we greatly admire those who are still fighting to overcome the aftermaths.
We have a strong belief in the great capacity of Japanese people to get through this extremely difficult time.
We are with you, full of love, full of hope and full of respect.
Fraternally yours.
From: Jacqueline Park, Director, Asia-Pacific Regional Office, International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
To: Ohoro Akatsuka, President, Minpororen, Japan
Jun Yamakoshi, Japan Broadcasting Labour Union (Nipporo), Japan
Oikawa Shiho, Shimbun Roren, Japan
Date: 14th March 2011-03-18
Subject: IFJ solidarity with Japanese earthquake and tsunami victims
Dear Akatsuka-san,
I am writing to you on behalf of the International Federation of Journalists, which represents
more than 600,000 workers in 125 countries worldwide, to express our solidarity and support for all our comrades in the Japanese trade union movement and media industry who have been affected by Friday’s devastating earthquake and tsunami.
In times of great crisis we are reminded of the strength of our brothers and sisters and the ability of our movement to overcome great adversity through working together and supporting each other. While the rescue and clean up efforts will be long and arduous for Japan, and the risk posed by explosions at the Fukushima nuclear power plants is of continuing concern, I have no doubt the community will emerge from this disaster stronger, knowing with pride what it can achieve when faced with such great challenges.
Please pass on our sincerest condolences to anyone who has lost friends, family or colleagues as a result of this terrible event, and let us know if there is any way the IFJ and its affiliates can help you in this time of great need.
In solidarity.