11 March, 2013Union Networking among Asia-Pacific Chemical Unions Grow Stronger Union representatives from Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Pakistan, Thailand, Vietnam, Nepal and India met in the second round workshop of the three-year project to reinforce trade union networks in the Asian chemical industry.
Supported by IndustriALL Global Union’s global partner German-based Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), the workshop, held in Bangkok on 14 and 15 May, discussed various themes towards combining forces of the Asian chemical unions through trade union networks.
The participants analyzed the state affairs of the global chemical industry at global and regional level, and received reports from various countries about the challenges faced. Kazuhito Kimura of Kagaku Soren from Japan reported to the meeting that Japanese chemical unions demand an international fair taxation system for manufacturers and a policy to strengthen competitiveness through deregulation with special emphasis on industry policy matters.
Trade Union networks at major multinational chemical companies were widely discussed, and representatives from BASF, Linde, Akzo Nobel and Unilever shared their experiences with the rest of the group. Participants from Solvay-Rhodia underscored the importance of proper implementation of global framework agreements in improving the quality of social dialogue and industrial relations at workplaces.
The workshop was a platform for discussion on union organizing and campaigning in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines. The participants underlined the importance international instriments in facilitating recruitment efforts. The meeting also welcomed representative from Electrolux Thai union, and listened to recent developments on the ongoing struggle, and the participants unanimously pledged full support to their Thai sisters and brothers.
Precarious employment has been defined as one of the major challenges in the Asia-Pacific Region. Mobilization and struggle against the ramping phenomenon was highlighted as one of the joint working areas for the unions. International instruments and social dialogue were also on the agenda of the workshop with deep analyses and discussions.
Following work groups formed on companies and countries, the way forward until next step of the project was discussed and decided by the participants. Concrete proposals and programming were made for the particular company networks.
“Our chemical affiliates in the Asia-Pacific region strongly follow and support IndustriALL Global Union’s political priorities by giving weight to trade union networks”
said Kemal Özkan, IndustriALL Assistant General Secretary.