News

In the opening session, Ian Blandthorn reminded the delegates of our role in ensuring that the present globalisation process includes a human dimension. Multinational that is shaping the commerce industry should enter into social dialogs with the workers and provide conducive environment for the business, workers and society says Alke Boessiger, Head of Department UNI Global Commerce. Christopher Ng, UNI Apro Regional Secretary highlighted the achievement of the UNI Apro Commerce in bringing the social partnership in industrial relations that had shown great success in building a sector that had seen growth in union membership, workers benefits and better returns for the companies. Sabda Pranawa Djati, Vice President of ASPEK Indonesia welcomed the delegates to Indonesia and highlighted the achievements of ASPEK Indonesia which included being in a tripartite forum in the commerce sector to provide guidelines in this sector in the country. He is appreciative of the support from UNI, UNI Apro and the numerous unions including UI ZENSEN and SDA for their early support that had made ASPEK Indonesia a “federation” to support workers struggle in Indonesia.

The 10^th UNI Apro Commerce Sector Committee Meeting saw an attendance of 33 delegates from the region. The reports from the affiliates revealed that the developed countries’ sales performance had decreased making the need for the company to expand in the developing countries. In particular, countries like India, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia will see a growth of the commerce industry business expanding thus the need for UNI Apro affiliates to expand their union membership coverage in these countries.

The introduction of technology in the retail business has seen a declined in the labour force and the popular emergence of shopping on line is another “new” phenomenon that had changed the pattern of the consumer spending habits. UNI Commerce will do research on these trends.

The issue of fully integration women into the trade union movement and in particular the decision bodies were discussed at length. It was important for this committee that the Dublin resolution and the UNI Congress Motion on Women’s representation be clearly communicated. The committee reported on the steps taken in their own unions to meet the objectives set. Depa of UNICOME Nepal urged the committee to play a more active role as “women that are not able to do this alone, then the union must take the responsibility to create a positive environment for women to get involve”.

Noted was the positive report of the half yearly evaluation of Takashima Global Agreement that has a strong cooperation both from the company’s management and the trade union which provided a good platform for holistic development. HERO Supermarket Union of Indonesia reported that they had continued to grow and is now linked with all its HERO and GIANT Hypermarket stores for the whole country. Their President was pleased to announce that with the reduction of shrinkage, increase in profits and harmonious working relations – the union members achieved a 6 months bonus this year.

Looking towards NAGASAKI CONGRESS 2010, the commerce sector has some prominent examples and sharing of information thus it is expected that the commerce affiliates will play an active role in the congress to shape the future development of the organisation. UNI Apro Commerce congratulates UNI LCJapan for achieving its one million union membership in Japan and the hosting of the Congress in November 2010.

The organising campaigns currently running in the region and new targets identified will be the focus of the activities of this sector. UNI Apro Commerce will work closely with the affiliates under its inclusive policy to help unions to grow and develop new unions for those that do not have any unions. After all UNI Apro Commerce is very much an active part of the “UNI Global Union Breaking Through” strategy

The annual UNI Apro Commerce Committee Meeting was held in Jakarta, Indonesia from 27 & 28 September 2010 attended by 33 delegates representing the Commerce union affiliates of UNI in Asia and The Pacific.