News

UNI SLAC Youth Leaders’ Network Meeting was held effectively on 26^th September 2011. Four out of seven UNI affiliates in Sri Lanka have sent their youth representatives who are below 35 years of age and more importantly the women participation has notably increased significantly over the last meeting.

The newly elected UNI SLAC President, Bro. Gayan Munaweera who was also celebrating his (youthful) birthday on that day gave the opening address to the young participants. He recalled his own personal experiences in the union, having once been a youth union leader himself, been given support by the union and gradually rising through the ranks to be the union leader of his union, National Post and Telecom Workers Union in Sri Lanka. He gave his support to the young unionists from UNI SLAC that he will aim to facilitate and provide the assistance needed to ensure that young people continue to find the union movement relevant.

The program was also enriched by Sis. Magdalene Kong, UNI Apro Director of Youth Activities as well as by the moderation of Bro. Jayasri Priyalal – UNI Apro Director Finance, Professional and Managerial Staff.

Each youth leader was given time to introduce his/ herself and a brief introduction on their unions. Such interaction laid a foundation to build better and common understanding on the various federations and its characteristics as well as each union’s core activities.

The meeting had presentations on regional youth activities with proven examples in the Philippines and Indonesia on what youth unionists in the region have planned and taken up action on. Important lessons on team work and team building were given in an energizing and practical way. Further, the participants gained knowledge on planning of union activities in an objective and result oriented approach to growing the union.

The last session of the meeting on that day was to appoint new office bearers for UNI SLAC Youth Committee and the office bearers were democratically appointed through a unanimous agreement among the participants on the desired setup of the youth committee which includes a firm recognition for equal gender opportunities and representation and in a way that all affiliates get a fair representation within the youth committee.

I congratulate all the youth leaders for a success and fruitful outcome of the meeting and to the office bearers of the UNI SLAC Youth Committee – I look forward to working with the team to give a voice to young unionists.

UNI SLAC Youth Committee 2011-2012

(as appointed on 26 September 2011)



President Bro. Jayathu

Vice President Sis. Kamalika

Secretary Sis. Norika

Treasurer Sis. Chamithri

Editor Bro. Teshan

Member Bro. Achintha

Member Bro. Sidath

Member to be appointed by UPTO

Member to be appointed by ACTSU

Member to be appointed by TOU





Written by Jayathu