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In the UNI Apro Commerce Conference held in Kuala Lumpur from 5-6 December 2009 brought together trade unionists from the commerce sector in Asia Pacific to bring forward the commerce sector agenda to build a stronger more responsive trade union movement.



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In the panel on "Empowering Commerce Sector Unions in flexibilising Asia Pacific" held on 5 December 2009, these were some of the highlights.



Asia and the Pacific region is growing in business opportunities and provides potential expansion of existing business especially in the retail sector. Multinational companies are the main players providing jobs to millions of workers in the service industries however the retail sector are facing numerous challenges arising out of an increasing competitive global economy and rapid technological innovations.

In this session, the panellist looked at the issue of social dialogs and development of industrial relation partnership between the trade unions and employer to create a competitive sector capable of sustaining growth and creation of decent working conditions.

Ian Blandthorn, President UNI Apro Commerce, Australia spelled out the factors critical to success which includes the need to have constructive dialogs with employers, making common cause with employers where possible e.g. skill development and by building constructive relations. The need for harmonious industrial relations is critical for both workers and employers. In Ian’s closing statement, he said clearly that the conflict model does not work.



Keiichi Murayama from JAW, Japan elaborated his union’s initiative to work with the employers to provide a better work life balance. Examples was their work to reduce the high overtime, attempts to bring about a better work life balance and establish a “win-win” situation for the betterment of the workers and the company. He mentioned the working methodology was on partnership between unions and management to work together on this issue.



Daisuke Fujiyoshi, Vice President UI ZENSEN, Japan highlighted that the work patterns had changed and with the increase of non-regular workers. From being supplementary workforce, it has now become essential workforce that without unionizing these workers, it has developed a sense of disunity at the workplace and resulted in weakening of collective industrial relations. With the increase in individual labour disputes the productivity has decreased. Bro Daisuke emphasized that hostile industrial relations cannot overcome problems but rather an inclusive policy within the trade unions and the development of progressive relationship with the employers are vital in todays’ economy without jeopardizing the rights of the trade unions.

ASPEK Indonesia and HERO Supermarket union shared their success in building an industrial partnership model with the employers in the commerce sector in Indonesia, a model that was fully supported by the government as it brings job stability to the workers, increased profit and productivity as well as a conducive environment for the investors in the country. The delegates highlighted the drastic change from the past where conflicts with the management were rampant to one that is of mutual respect.



Christopher Ng, Regional Secretary of UNI Apro attest the changes taking place in Indonesia and highlighted the need to continued to build social dialogs as a way to solve issues confronting the workers.



It was clear from the panelist and contributors from Indonesia that in the new working environment, it has become critical that unions, employers and goverments must continue its social dialogs to bring beter working conditions and good business environment. In HERO Supermarket partnership model - the benefits for both the management and union has also meant that the company were willing to invest in the country wherby providing stable jobs for the people. Earlier this year, two roads were named after "UNI" and "HERO Supermarket Union" - the first of its kind in the world!