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TRADE UNIONS: PASSION AND PLATFORM FOR PROFESSIONALS & MANAGERS

“Trade unions are a platform for Professionals & Managers to share values and the collective voice of trade unions enables P&M to passionately fight for just causes,” proposed a group of professionals during the 3rd UNI Apro Professionals & Managers Conference held on 2-3 December 2013, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Ninety seven participants representing 23 affiliates from 8 countries in the region attended the conference.

Including You: Strengthening P&M in our Unions was the theme for the conference. This was put forward as the number of P&M workers are expected to increase further with about 60% of new jobs being P&M jobs and trade unions need to come up with creative ways to engage P&M, to bring networks together so that they can share experiences. Trade unions are especially important as they support P&Ms in advocating the right to work and for decent work, in building an enabling environment with equal opportunities for all.

UNI Apro Regional Secretary Christopher Ng delivered the key note address on the theme “PMS are workers of the 21st century: Defining PMS' Agenda in an Integrating Asia.” He highlighted the challenges in organizing in the services sector, the need to secure a balanced life for P&Ms, and the need to pay extra attention to P&M staff who are vulnerable to job insecurities.

Dr Parvinder Kler from Griffith University Australia presented the background report for his research study on “Managing Professional and Managerial Talent: Amidst Mobility and Migration Challenges in ASEAN and Asia & Pacific” where he shared the common challenges that P&Ms face.

The conference included a workshop session where delegates broke into small groups to discuss issues relevant to P&Ms. These include ethical responsibilities, the protection of whistle blowers, safe guarding the environment, and the promotion of 21st century Professional skill upgradation,offering value added social security services to migrant P&M. The groups proposed methods to build learning networks about the Green Economy, to ensure that environment enables P&M staff to work safely, and to promote safe working environments that will allow P&M staff to work professionally and ethically – these activities go towards the goal of creating and safeguarding the future for all.

John De Payva Secretary General of SMMWU Singapore was re-elected as the President of UNI Apro Professional & Managers group for another term.

The Conference endorsed a ten point work plan for the UNI Apro P&M group put forward by Jayasri Priyalal UNI Apro Director for Professional & Managers.

For details of the presentations, elected committee members, and the Regional Secretary’s key note address, UNI Apro P&M Priorities and workplan please refer to the Related Files.