News

The National Forum for the Retail Sector Workers was a great success. The opening ceremony was attended by more than 150 guests and participants.



The participants (106) listened to the presentations from the Swedish Panel consisting of Bro. Hemming , Sis Anette Dalkaris and Ingrid Persson from the Handles Group.

They addressed the issues on the challenges and strategies of organizing the Retail Sector, especially supermarkets, Hypermarkets, Departmental stores and smaller units of retail outlets.



The group discussions among 4 groups came up with the following plan for 2009 :



(1). To form a council of all Retail unions to coordinate the membership and regular worksite meetings to reach the target set by UNI-MLC Project office.



(2) . To reach the target of 50%+1 or 60% membership in each union so as to be eligible for recognition and collective bargaining.



(3). To set up meetings with the company officials to get their blessing for organizing workers in the unionized retail sector companies.



(4). To organize sports and cultural activities to attract young workers into the unions in the retail sector.



(5) To organize/participate in trade union education locally and through youth exchange programmes.



At the closing of the Forum all participants pledged to help each other to sustain and increase membership in the newly formed retail sector unions.