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The UNI Apro Commerce Members focused on the commerce sector's priorities and issues including organizing targets and followed up on ILO's “Global Dialogue Forum on the needs of older workers in relation to changing work processes and the working environment in Retail Commerce”



The Committee attended a meeting in Tokyo and Sendai, Japan from 30 June 2012 to 2 July 2012 where 31 delegates from 8 commerce unions in the Asia Pacific region attended.



Committee members had the opportunity to meet local union members in Sendai that were affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, and learned from the members experience on crisis management while extending solidarity in their rebuilding exercise.



In the opening, Ian Blandthorn, UNI Apro Commerce President, stressed that this was an important meeting since the earthquake and tsunami which had shocked the world. He mentioned that our hearts and prayers are still with the Japanese people in the rebuilding exercise. He also highlighted the opening up of Burma and the recent release of Aung Sang Suu Kyi.



Christopher Ng, UNI Apro Regional Secretary, was delighted that the meeting could be held in Japan as it signifies the solidarity with the people and UNI’s membership for the three incidents last year. He noted that the meeting would address the review of the current situation of the commerce sector and also for the next period. Burma and China would also be one of the priority focal points to continue UNI Apro’s work.



Kiyoshi Ochiai, Chairperson of UNI-LCJapan and President of UI ZENSEN, recalled that commerce retail workers in the 1960-1970s were considered to be lowest in rank hierarchy and it is only with the establishment of the trade unions that this image has changed considerably. Globalization and liberalization have brought about many challenges to workers while the crisis in Europe is now affecting Asia Pacific regional growth and its real economy. Amid the situation where only a handful of people are benefiting, workers are forced to make more sacrifices and unemployment, especially for the youth, is growing. There is a need for ethics and rules for finance, fair trade and responsible products. Ochiai also emphasized the importance of staying in solidarity and expanding our work into areas of social dialogues.



The Japanese people thanked UNI, UNI Apro and affiliates for their support and warm solidarity including donations they had received which were channeled to the victims, RENGO for their relief efforts and for the purchase of three handicap friendly vehicles in Iwate prefecture.



In the meeting the committee:-

- Passed a resolution calling upon Walmart to adhere to good industrial relationship and recognition of the trade unions in countries where they operate.



- Placed on record our congratulations on the 40th anniversary of JAW



- Reported that Tesco Lotus Thailand signing of a collective agreement applicable to all their distribution centers and holding of the joint OHS workshop in collaboration with USDAW, UK.



- Extended our support to the on-going organizing efforts in UNICOME Malaysia, H&M Hong Kong & Singapore, IKEA Thailand & Indonesia, HERO Union in Indonesia, UNICOME Nepal and Vietnam



- Congratulated KPSU on the success of the opening hour’s campaign that saw legislation being passed to limit the 24 hrs / 7 days a week opening hours on multinational supermarkets that had a great impact on the work life balance of the workers and community.



- Noted the need to continue the organizing efforts in this region and the recognition that this process is not instant as time is need to build social dialogs, trust and relationship before the unions can be formed. Unreasonable date line is an issue.

The forum held on the second day was a follow-up of the first Global Dialogue Forum which was originally held at the International Labour Office in Geneva from 21-22 September 2011. The purpose of the forum was to examine the relationship between the needs of older workers in the context of an ageing population and the labour requirements of the retail sector. Since this topic is of particular importance to the Commerce Industry, UNI Apro Commerce sector has decided to follow up on this dialogue to look at the good practices to create opportunities for older workers and sharing our experience to adopt appropriate measures for this group of workers. Amongst the distinguish speakers were

- Ms Keiko Kamioka, Director of ILO Office for Japan with extensive background in the ILO. She is an ILO governing board member representing the Japanese government and has been with ILO HQ in Geneva for 13 years.



- Mr Takaaki Sakurada, the previous Chairperson of UNI-LCJapan and past President of JSD. He is an ILO governing board member representing Labor of Japan.



- Mr. Akira Isawa, Director of Statistics and Information Department of Ministry of Welfare and Labor. He was vice chairperson of the above meeting held in Geneva.



- Mr. Masanobu Tamura, Assistant General Secretary of UI ZENSEN in charge of labor and policy making. He has experience in organizing and policy making since 1972.



- Mr. Katsutoshi Matano, Assistant General Secretary of JSD in charge of international relations and others. He has experience in organizing and negotiating with management.



- Case Study Australia was presented by Ian Blandthorn, Assistant National Secretary SDA. The SDA is the largest trade union in Australia with more than 230,000 members. It has branches in every state and provides a comprehensive range of services which are available to all full-time, part-time or casual employees who are union members.



- Case Study Singapore presented by Joseph Chua, Assistant General Secretary SMMWU. SMMWU is the largest union affiliated to NTUC representing mainly commerce & service workers in the private sector.

Colleagues from Indonesia and Hong Kong also shared their experiences in their countries and supplementary questions about migration and child rearing in such situation were posed during the Q&A session.



Christopher Ng in summarising the session said that as the working population in developed countries continues to age, there is a need to balance employment opportunities and create safe working environments in the commerce and retail industries. He emphasized that elderly should not be looked upon as cost but experienced labour. Christopher suggested to relook on the technical advances where older workers require training and highlighted the need for trade unions to take these needs into consideration when making policies for the sector. Overall, he believed that Japan has a large role to play in disseminating their findings and sharing their experience in this field. A tripartite system and cooperation is required for effective implementation of better working standards for this group of workers.



The next Commerce meeting will be held before UNI Apro Commerce Conference tentatively in Bangkok, Thailand at the end of October or in November 2013.



The committee would like to extend their gratitude to UNI-LCJapan, JSD, UI ZENSEN, JAW, UNI Apro Tokyo Office and UNI Apro office for the excellent arrangements made and their hospitality.