News

5 December 2009, Saturday 4.00 pm – 5.30 pm

Theme : Organising and Global Framework Agreement



Prasmasivam a/l Chellakutty, NUCW Malaysia in introducing the panel mentioned that the work of the trade union movement is focused on organizing workers into trade unions, organizing its members around issues to build union strength and building an organizing union that response to workers needs. In this session we will hear from affiliates that had continued to strive to achieve these aims by increasing the organising levels of commercial workers in this region and the world level, provide assistance by providing solidarity and technical support in the organizing activities and establish framework or mechanism to facilitate co-operation among the unions representing the same multinational retailers in their effort to organize and bargain collectively on behalf of these employees including the negotiation of Global Framework Agreements (GFAs). UNI Apro Commerce is proud to highlight that the first GFA signed in this region were by JSD Japan with Takashimaya.

Shoichi Hachino, JSD Japan explained that the Takashimaya framework agreement contains the 10 principles of the UN Global Compact and it is Japan’s first joint initiative by labour and management. Global Framework Agreement (GFA) for Takashimaya is the point where Union social responsibilities and Corporate social responsibility met under “Social responsibility of organizations” where the attitude and values for its implementation is a responsibility of both partners. Bro Hachino emphases that the GFA is not a goal but a starting point - as such, the GFA is not a sleeping agreement but rather one that are open to reviews, improvements and continued development where social dialogs and monitoring of the implementation would be an on going process between the company, union and UNI.



Ramen Pandey, CS&CEWU India spoke about the need to organize workers into trade unions in India and the plans to organize the high number of commerce workers in India that work for long hours, low pay and deploring working conditions. It was noted that there are some projects run by UNI and UNI Apro in India which is producing encouraging results. The setting up of UNIDOC offices in Bangalore, New Delhi and Hyderabad in assisting in coordinating organizing efforts was also positively received. He calls for better coordination and more concrete steps to organize the workers in India.

Mohd. Shafie B.P. Mammal, UNI MLC Malaysia with his trade mark of “Boleh!” – which means “can!” or “achievable” shared with us the development of UNICOM Malaysia in organizing the commerce sector in Malaysia. He shared with us the many challenges in trying to organize this sector including a young workforce that do not stay long in the workplace, hostile employers, apathy amongst workers and the continues need to review the organizing strategies to stay ahead in fulfilling the mission to organize these workers. Having organized at least 18 trade unions in the commerce sector now, the plan for 2010 is to increase the density of workers and provide trainings for the young committees to conduct the trade union’s activities independently. He also highlighted the supports from our Japanese affiliates and UNI Apro in carrying out this mission.



From the floor, Deepa UNICOME Nepal shared the organizing success of the commerce sector in Nepal as the UNI NLC has continued to organize this sector and to date; they have a vibrant and growing membership in Nepal despite the political uncertainties. She also seek assistance from the delegates in providing her union information and sharing of ideas on organizing and strengthening the sector in Nepal.

UI Zensen delegate also spoke up to request that reviews of the Frame work agreement must be carried our periodically in three types of partnership that is (1)between the union and management, (2)within the unions from different countries of the company that had signed the GFA and (3)also from the Global Unions that had signed with the same multinational company, with such mechanism in place, only then the GFAs will be an empowering tool.



Bro Hedge from UNIDOC Bangalore spoke about the success of the UNIDOC offices in India in highlighting the need for trade unions, setting up of skills training school, registering of METRO trade unions in Bangalore and Hyderabad and the empowerment courses that had contributed to better perceptions of trade unions in India. He also paid tribute to the endless work of UNI Apro Regional Secretary Christopher Ng in motivating the unions to organize and stand in solidarity for the common good of workers in India.



From the discussion held, organizing is the core activity of the trade unions whether it is to organize workers into trade unions, organize the organized union members to play a more active role and also to organize the trade union to respond well in advance of any changes taking place in the economy and sector. With new forms of work emerging, the unions were fast to organize these workers into their trade unions so that all workers receive the protection of the trade unions. Tools such as Frame Work Agreements are useful if there is a constant review and evaluation of the document as it a “live” agreement that has the ability to grow and benefit the workers, employers and society.



The UNI Apro Commerce Conference brought together 68 UNI Apro Commerce delegates from 12 affiliates representing 8 countries in Kuala Lumpur from 5-6 December 2009 to determine the aims and focus of its work for another term and renew the commitment to bring decent work to all commerce workers and influence friendlier worker labour policies to benefit all workers in this region.