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On day 3 of the UNI Apro Youth Breaking Through Workshop in Kuala Lumpur, participants spilt into groups and were assigned the task of discovering Kuala Lumpur while accessing the impact of globalization. Besides going around Kuala Lumpur on public transport, the groups had to interview at least six people about their work and union awareness.

The dining hall was crowded in the morning and there was excitement buzzing around the breakfast tables. The teams were geared with maps, sunglasses, caps, umbrellas, cameras, and the groups exchanged good lucks before heading out for their mission.

As the reporter followed team “Hot”, they boarded a bus and headed towards the General Post Office (GPO) where they surveyed the GPO office with their teammate from GPO as guide.  The team interviewed someone from the clerical division who shared the structure of their union. The postal unions in Malaysia are classified according to positions at the workplace, and employees have to join a union according to their posts; higher executives, junior executives, clerks and postmen. The interviewee also said that she is not aware if her union conducts social programs for its members.

The team walked down China town and Indian town where as their name dictate, each of these lanes reflects their own culture. The effects of migration and globalisation is strongly felt here as the group said that they felt like as though they were strolling through the streets of India or China while in India and China town. The group then headed to the National Mosque and Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square). In the honor of all the great leaders of the world, the team shouted the slogan for the next UNI World Congress “Amandla – Awethu” in a single voice.

Continuing on their task, the team went to KLCC by train. KLCC Petronas twin tower is a treat to watch and a symbol of globalisation. There were multiple shopping malls, familiar brands and a global variety of food stalls in KLCC. Despite being a Muslim country, there were lighting arrangements and decorations put up for Christmas.

Interviewees in KLCC gave mixed responses about union awareness. Interviewees expressed bitterness and optimism about unions; some have knowledge about unions, and others were completely clueless.

The team said that the activity taught them how to be patient, to approach strangers, to work in an international team, and to grow as leaders.

“Malaysia is a blend of multi-cultural people. A Malaysian from an Indian descent, wearing clothes made in Bangladesh, holding iphone imported from USA, eating Thai food in a Chinese restaurant sets a perfect example of globalization. Yeh! What could we expect more for a better example of globalization?” said Palpasa Tuladhar Kansakar from Nepal.