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Ethical, social and professional responsibility, for sustainable businesses and jobs; Innovative approaches to recruit, organize, service and retain P&MS in Trade Unions; and Decent work and work life balance for P&MS were the three sub-themes on which the forum was conducted.

John De Payva, President of UNI Asia & Pacific, P&MS called that this is the time that trade unions should provide new ways to provide protection and benefits to these groups of employees welcoming 140 participants for the forum. UNI Asia & Pacific in collaboration with NTT Workers Union Japan [NWJ] organized the forum for P&MS for the third time in Japan which was held at the NTT Musashino R&D centre in Japan. NWJ is keen to facilitate professionals, researchers and managerial staff to share common perceptions, experiences and exchange information with a view to seek solutions. Long working hours is a common problem amongst P&MS and trade unions have to come up with solutions to help them to secure decent work and work life balance said Tomoyasu Kato Executive President of NWJ who welcomed the participants to NTT R&D centre for the two days forum

Christopher Ng UNI Asia & Pacific Regional Secretary, in his opening remarks said that P&MS are facing tremendous challenges due to numerous uncertainties in the current economic downturn. Partnerships and collaborations between management and unions he said; will encourage P&MS positively to join trade unions. Harmonious industrial relations in companies contribute for sustainable businesses and facilitate the P&MS to take interest in trade unions. Christopher emphasized collaborations that exist between the stake holders at tri-partite level needs to be extended to the enterprise level as well.

Companies those practices proper work life balance culture benefits as they could recruit and retain the best talent, and diverse work force said; Prof. Takeshi Shinoda, Ritsumeikan University, Japan. The Professor presented the highlights of a comparative survey study at the forum; on work life balance amongst white collar employees in Japan and Nordic countries. Prof. Shinoda emphasised that flexible work hours, shorter working time is the way to secure work life balance which will positively improve the productivity of Professionals and managerial staff.

Lack of choices for people in an affluent society is also reflection of some form of poverty revealed by the professor at the forum. Absence of work life balance is a hindrance for many to experience choices in life. Right balance between right to work and right to live is the key to the work life balance. Work life balance should be considered as a “right” and not merely as a guide for policy formulations in developed countries.

Social networking and Web 2.0 tools are some innovative approaches introduced by UNI to communicate with P&MS said Gerhard Rohde Head of Department UNI P&MS. He explained the various innovative approaches practices by European trade unions with new themes and strategies

Jayasri Priyalal, Director for P&MS activities of UNI Asia & Pacific emphasised on the standards and best practices available for individuals and institutions to be guided by for sustainable businesses and jobs.

One hundred and forty participants gathered at the two days forum which was held in the NTT R&D Center in Musashino on the 22-23 April 2009. There were 48 overseas participants representing nine countries present at the forum.