Read this article in:
English
26 May, 2026Rising geopolitical tensions, energy disruption and global trade uncertainty are taking a severe toll on workers across Asia Pacific, warned the IndustriALL Asia Pacific regional executive committee at a meeting on 19 May 2026.
The military conflict involving the USA, Israel and Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, have disrupted energy supplies across the region. Electricity and energy sectors have been severely affected. As a result ordinary workers, particularly in oil-importing countries such as India, are bearing the brunt of rising oil prices. Delegates underlined the importance of solidarity. They also called for regional energy network meetings to be held every two years.
IndustriALL vice president and Asia Pacific co-chair, Akihiro Kaneko, said:
“The rising tensions in the Middle East are directly impacting Asian manufacturing and export industries through the instability of energy supply, the stagnation of maritime transport and rising logistics costs. The risk of spillovers to economic activity and employment represents a serious challenge that could shake the foundations of workers’ livelihoods.”
Global uncertainty is also being driven by unilateral trade policies imposed by major economies. These tariffs are having far-reaching consequences for global supply chains.
IndustriALL general secretary, Atle Høie, said:
“IndustriALL affiliates will continue the debate on what kind of trade system is beneficial to workers and should be promoted by the organization.”
In South-East Asia, Malaysian unions are engaging with the ministry of human resources to deepen labour law reforms.
In Indonesia, unions are urging the ministry of manpower to ratify the ILO Convention 190 on Violence and Harassment. They also seek to strengthen social security and introduce a living wage.
The regional women’s committee is formulating a strategy to implement the IndustriALL feminist resolution and gender transformative agenda. Key priority areas include pay equity, safety and health, reproductive health and mainstreaming gender across supply chains.
The Asia Pacific regional youth committee was formed on 15 May 2026. It is comprised of five youth delegates from the South Asia youth working group (SAYWG) and five youth delegates from the South-East Asia, East Asia and Pacific youth working group (SEA2PAC). The two existing subregional youth working groups will be phased out at the end of 2027.
The meeting concluded with a call for nominations of members to the steering committee of the global multinational committee. The next regional executive committee meeting will take place in October in Bangladesh.