News

This is part of UNI Apro’s efforts to organize workers in Smart Mobile, a subsidiary of Teliasonera. The workshop was well attended by 30 participants from Smart Mobile union and observers sent by the company.



Among the ICTJ delegates sent to conduct the workshop were Tomoyasu Kato, President of ICTJ and UNI Apro, Satoshi Takahashi of NWJ and Fumiko Kimura, International Affairs Secretary.



President Kato encouraged participants to “build Industrial Relationships based on partnership in order to promote business development and to secure decent work.” This motion was supported by Takahashi, who made a presentation on building harmonious industrial relation between labor and management. Takahashi was able to share NWJ’s successful model where sound industrial relations is built on trust shared between union and management.



Participants also had a chance to actively discuss their action plans in small groups and participated seriously in the sessions conducted by UNI Apro staff.



Smart Mobile Union was established in June last year under the leadership of UNI Cambodia (UNICAM) and has grown since attending its first workshop with UNI in January 2012. In its early stages, the vice president and general secretary had left their jobs voluntarily due to pressure from the company. Smart Mobile Union today has the cooperation of UNICAM and work together to strengthen the union.



President Kato also met with Smart Mobile’s HR Director and company spokesperson where he explained how avoiding many unions in the company can help to develop company business. Kato requested the management to accept Smart Mobile Union and workers rights. The HR Director replied that that “Smart Mobile will respect laws and make efforts to build harmonious industrial relationship.” CEO Thomas Hundt was initially scheduled to attend the meeting but was unable to due to an urgent corporate meeting with Hello Axiata.



With UNI Apro’s advice and assistance, the union is currently hoping to sign a basic labour management agreement with the company. Smart Mobile Union’s long-term target is to increase membership to hit the 50% mark by the end of 2014. This will allow them to ask for a collective bargaining agreement.