15 April, 2014After a long process and intensive debate Philippines´ affiliates are ready to start a three year project aiming to overcome their structural problems of fragmentation, low union density and lack of influence in defending workers’ interests in the political arena.
Since creation of IndustriALL Global Union in June 2012 several steps have been taken to join forces and build unity among all the affiliates in the Philippines.
Four months after that all the Philippines affiliates agreed on a new framework that they believed would bring about a change for workers http://www.industriall-union.org/events/industriall-philippines-leadership-forum-a-force-for-change. At the meeting a manifesto was approved and a task force was set up to look at the best way to promote unity among the unions.
A new joint meeting was held in February, where the task force presented the conclusions of their hard work towards the unity process. The report has been discussed in details between the Philippines affiliates, IndustriALL regional and head offices as well as affiliates from Japan and Australia http://www.industriall-union.org/challenges-of-unity-building-in-the-philippines.
1 April 2014 all the affiliates resolved to approve a road map and agreed on a project planning meeting to be held on 10 and 11 April to launch the new three year project supported by our Swedish affiliates through LO-TCO focused on building unity, organizing and building campaigning and communications capacity.
“The process was long, but the discussion was always frank and respectful, therefore we have a solid base to go forward united, look for the better for the workers in our sectors and to contribute to build a stronger union movement in the Philippines”, said Industriall Assistant General Secretary Fernando Lopes when concluding the planning meeting.