SNTUC-ACTRAV-ILO Training Workshop A352177 TU Training on Social Security Policies (focus on Pension Schemes) 2-6 Aug 2010, Singapore Workshop Orientation

Aims of Orientation 1/To understand the background, objectives, contents and expected outputs of this training programme; 2/To take on board participants suggestions and/or specific needs.

Background Rapidly changing World of Work – due to economic, political & technological factors Impacting labour markets, employment relationships as also social protection & social security systems [employment flexibility w/o social security, rise in casual/contractual, precarious work, informal employment, home based work – leading to declining coverage of workers, under-funded & restrictive benefits under social security, poor implementation & delivery…] Situation has worsened due to the current global economic crisis –loss of SS funds - globally pension funds lost over 5 trillion $ between 2007 & 2008, besides losses in coverage, contributions & benefits Need for reforms of labour law, of social security systems How have unions been responding to these?

Extending the effectiveness and coverage of social protection for all, including for the workers in the informal economy – is the goal and part of Decent Work agenda But for TUs, social security is not just about pensions, etc but it is a vision of a society, an essential element of human rights & social justice, and a means for improving national productivity, growth and social stability.

Objectives of the Workshop Promote understanding of the key issues in the area of social protection and social security schemes Assist unions in developing policies & strategies for organizing and promoting social security for workers, especially for workers in the informal economy Develop follow up proposals for improving the capacity of trade unions to promote Decent Work, aimed at strengthening workers rights and social security.

Key issues to be discussed Responding to Global Economic Crisis, Social Security & TU agenda key challenges & difficulties being faced by TUs in regard to organizing & social security – country situation review Decent Work Agenda & ILO policies and standards on Social Security (main principles, concepts) Organizing: pathway to social protection & social security Changing employment relations & reforms of social security systems Social Security policies and systems in selected Asian countries and challenges for Asian countries Sharing of experience of SNTUC in regard to SS & role of trade unions Key challenges for Pension systems in A-P Social Security & role of TUs

Main Outputs Expected Follow up work plans – contributions by participants to their unions work on organizing and social protection of workers - these plans will be used for evaluation purposes for any future follow-up seminar. Strengthening of Asia-pacific Regional Educational Network on Workers Rights – to share experiences, news and promote campaigns on workers rights, social security and sharing of information on developments on trade union rights front with the labour movement across the globe …more on all this later

Evaluation Feedback is welcome on daily-basis End of workshop evaluation Post-workshop evaluation to be based on progress of follow up work plans Feedback is welcome on daily-basis

Role of Participants Be active & participative in all activities through out the workshop – your experience is also a source of education for all, including us! Be PUNCTUAL! – please…..  Start thinking of your Project Work Plan Ideas

Any Questions?