1. ‘Organizing’ in the changing world of work Issues and Strategies Arun Kumar, Actrav-ILO-Turin

2. 2 Organizing – one of the main ways for unions to promote Decent Work & Social Protection for workers But its a task made very difficult in this period of flexible and insecure employment where neither labour laws, nor labour markets or employment conditions are favourably placed for promoting organizing; So, what is the state of unionism in A-P?

3. Union Density Asia/Pacific (Source ITUC-AP) Country% Mongolia38.9 Taiwan37.7 Fiji30 Israel30 Singapore26 Australia24 Hong Kong22 New Zealand21.5 Japan18 Sri Lanka18 Turkey15 Korea11 Country % Malaysia9 India9 Indonesia8 Nepal7 Philippines7 Pakistan7 Papua NG5 Bangladesh4 Thailand1 China? Viet Nam? Source: H. Ishibashi, quoting ITUC-AP.

4. CBA Coverage Country% Austria98-99 Belgium91-99 Denmark81-90 Italy91 France90 Finland81-90 Germany61-70 Netherlands81-90 Spain81-90 UK31-40 Country % Japan17-18 Philippines0.5-0.7 Indonesia India Pakistan Korea Nepal Fiji China Malaysia Sri Lanka Viet Nam EuropeAsia Source: H. Ishibashi

5. 5 Why is trade union density and coverage of collective bargaining low in Asia? - external factors? - internal causes? So, what can the trade unions do to organize, including those in informal employment relationships?

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7. 7 So, how do trade unions Organize?  No ready made solutions, no single model;  Strategies will depend on –  Country legal framework (what rights exist?)  Type of industry and state of the industry  Nature of employment, types of workers (self employed/wage employed/home based/ contract/etc  Union Strategy & Structure?  Union resources (financial, material & people)  Image and status of the TUs  What else ?

8. 8 Facing the Organizing Challenge Broadly speaking, TU Actions need to be taken at two levels -  Macro policy level – to create enabling environment for organizing  In the field, at workplace, at community level – where the workers are

9. 9 Creating enabling environment  What are the main demands of trade unions in your country?  Campaigns at national level on issues such as –  Freedom of Association (Right to Organise, to Union Recognition) & Collective Bargaining Rights (ILO Conventions 87 & 98) -  Tripartitism – right to be represented in the decision making bodies at Govt level  Domestic social clause  Building partnerships with other movements  What else does Unions need to do?

10. 10 Organizing Actions at Workplace Questions to be considered  Why should a worker join the union? What can union give them in this age of flexible employment?  Where is our power in a market economy? in numbers or ?  How have we been organizing so far?  What new strategies can we develop for organizing and strengthening TUs?

11. 11 Union Approaches Servicing Model  Union/union officials provide collective & individual services to members;  Members dependent on the Union & its Office bearers to provide what they require.  Unions ’ officials control union resources, strategies, interests & develop union tactics NOT MUCH INVOLVEMENT OF MEMBERSHIP IN TU ACTIVITIES

12. 12 Union Approaches Organizing Model  Not just an approach to organizing but also a vision of union purpose & form - workers active participants rather than passive consumers,  Instead of just solving problems, union seeks to empower workers to solve their problems thru union  Organizing activities, led by lead organizers who motivate activism & self-help among workers;  Education, research or communication activities;  Develop campaigns, alliances & use members to support external organizing

13. Organizing workers: what are unions doing? Some ideas

14. 14 Organizing Strategies 1.TU resources limited - We cannot go out & organize each & every worker. SO, can we then think of a way to make workers come to us? 2.Need to go beyond collective bargaining – into social welfare services – - linking with govt schemes for providing access to workers for social welfare programmes - Using group insurance schemes to provide social protection - health care, life insurance - Organizing thru thrift, credit and social welfare services

15. 15 Organizing Strategies 3.Leveraging power of the ‘organised’- Eg. Railway unions extending their reach to hawkers, coolies, contractors workers, etc 4.For MNCs and those companies with Export interests in OECD countries – companies that are susceptible to consumer power – build links with international TUs (GUFs), NGOs and consumer movement. 5.Role of international labour solidarity & International Framework Agreements 6.Organizing not at workplace but at workers living areas – role of self help groups

16. 16 Organizing Migrant Workers Suggested Strategies Advocate for universal labour rights – abolish distinctions for temporary workers (delinking workers rights from nationality/ citizenship) Working at community level, Self-help groups – building leadership among migrants Needs of Migrant workers? Set up Welfare & Service centres– health care & workers rights services – help lines TU Education and Rights Awareness Activities

17. 17 Organizing thru SHGs & Cooperatives relevant for informal economy workers, self employed and home based workers. builds workers own leadership and self reliance; brings in new activists into the labour movement, successfully used by the NGOs but not trade unions.

18. 18 Organizing Strategies Using Workers Capital to promote Union Rights and other labour standards – Labour Social Clause in the Investment Pattern - Need to think beyond Rate of Interest.

19. 19 Organizing Strategies Adopt & advocate policies that will apply to all workers and prevent further divisions of the workers in the labour market – that is, put all workers in one boat. And – what else can TUs do ???

20. 20 Group Work Does your labour law or the constitution provide for Right to Organize? Does the law provide for right to recognition of the union and right to collective bargaining? What are the hurdles/difficulties in organizing in your country? Give examples of how you organize in your country? What are the reasons for young people not being keen to join the unions? What services or benefits does the union membership bring to a member?