ACTRAV-ITC-ILO COURSE A Trade Union Training on Freedom of Association (FoA), Organising & Collective Bargaining in the era of Globalization” Nov 2007, Bangkok Course Orientation

Aims of This Orientation 1. To understand the background, objectives, contents & expected outputs of this training programme; 2. To confirm the timetable of this course & make fine-tuning to it, if necessary; 3. Agree on the role of participants.

Background  The world of work is changing – due to – globalization & economic liberalization - structural changes in the economy, growing informal– unorganized economy, changes in the composition of the workforce, advancements in IT, etc – role of state is changing & role of private sector is increasing  While labour productivity has gone up, employment growth has not been adequate; within the organized sector, there is pressure to downsize!  Underemployment, insecurity, poor working conditions and lack of respect for workers rights rampant in Asia-Pacific – for various reasons;  Against this background, labour law reforms

Background How to protect workers interests in this era of globalization? How to protect workers interests in this era of globalization? Emerging socio-economic situation requires not only expanding organizing efforts but also new skills among trade union leaders for dispute mediation and collective bargaining, especially to deal with private sector. Emerging socio-economic situation requires not only expanding organizing efforts but also new skills among trade union leaders for dispute mediation and collective bargaining, especially to deal with private sector. The workshop will provide an opportunity for the participants to share experiences on trade union organizing, collective bargaining techniques and the role of ILO’s International Labour Standards as instruments for promoting freedom of association, right to organize and collective bargaining. The workshop will provide an opportunity for the participants to share experiences on trade union organizing, collective bargaining techniques and the role of ILO’s International Labour Standards as instruments for promoting freedom of association, right to organize and collective bargaining.

Objectives of the Course At the end of the course, the participants should be able to: Identify main challenges being faced by trade unions in organising & collective bargaining and explain how trade unions can meet them effectively; Identify main challenges being faced by trade unions in organising & collective bargaining and explain how trade unions can meet them effectively; Demonstrate understanding of the process of globalization & how trade unions can meet its social & economic challenges; Demonstrate understanding of the process of globalization & how trade unions can meet its social & economic challenges; Understand the ILO’s supervisory mechanisms for Freedom of Association (FOA) to promote an “enabling environment” for trade union organizing; Understand the ILO’s supervisory mechanisms for Freedom of Association (FOA) to promote an “enabling environment” for trade union organizing; Propose improved strategies for organizing, targeting in particular the workers in private sector and in informal economy; Propose improved strategies for organizing, targeting in particular the workers in private sector and in informal economy;

Objectives of the Course Understand areas for collective bargaining and formulate effective charter of demands for negotiations in private sector companies; Understand areas for collective bargaining and formulate effective charter of demands for negotiations in private sector companies; Comprehend use of balance sheets & companies financial data for collective bargaining; Comprehend use of balance sheets & companies financial data for collective bargaining; Know about strategies for collective bargaining at enterprise levels; Know about strategies for collective bargaining at enterprise levels; Mainstream gender issues in all the programmes and actions of unions, including in organizing activities; Mainstream gender issues in all the programmes and actions of unions, including in organizing activities; Develop an action plan to share experiences, initiatives for education, actions and solidarity; Develop an action plan to share experiences, initiatives for education, actions and solidarity;

Key Issues to be discussed Globalization, Decent Work & Challenges for Trade Unions Globalization, Decent Work & Challenges for Trade Unions Labour Standards, FoA & Supervisory Machinery for promoting Workers Rights Labour Standards, FoA & Supervisory Machinery for promoting Workers Rights Changing management policies, strategies in this age of globalization Changing management policies, strategies in this age of globalization Strategies for collective bargaining at enterprise levels Strategies for collective bargaining at enterprise levels Economics of a firm Economics of a firm Sources of Information for collective bargaining Sources of Information for collective bargaining

Key Issues to be discussed Collecting information, analysis & preparing charter of demands Collecting information, analysis & preparing charter of demands Balance Sheet Analysis & its use for collective bargaining Balance Sheet Analysis & its use for collective bargaining Negotiating Productivity agreements Negotiating Productivity agreements Enabling conditions & Strategies for Organizing Workers Enabling conditions & Strategies for Organizing Workers Development of Action plan on Organizing & Promotion of Rights of Workers, including Migrants – participants contribution Development of Action plan on Organizing & Promotion of Rights of Workers, including Migrants – participants contribution

Main Outputs Expected Preparation of action plan(s) Preparation of action plan(s) Participants will design & develop a specific action plan incorporating some elements of the course subjects that can be implemented with a specific target group in local settings or together internationally. These plans will be used for evaluation purposes for any future follow-up seminar. Strengthening of Regional Network for action on Trade issues – to share experiences, news and promote campaigns on workers rights, sharing of information on developments at national level and for joint actions Strengthening of Regional Network for action on Trade issues – to share experiences, news and promote campaigns on workers rights, sharing of information on developments at national level and for joint actions … more on all this later

Evaluation End of the course evaluation End of the course evaluation Post-course evaluation to be conducted one year after the completion of the course Post-course evaluation to be conducted one year after the completion of the course Feedback is welcome on daily-basis

Role of Participants Be active & participative in all activities through out the course Be active & participative in all activities through out the course Be PUNCTUAL! – please….. Be PUNCTUAL! – please….. Form a 2 member Daily Report Team – to take notes, summarize major points & key issues of each training session – the team will change daily & will present the summary of previous day sessions - every day at 8.45 a.m. Form a 2 member Daily Report Team – to take notes, summarize major points & key issues of each training session – the team will change daily & will present the summary of previous day sessions - every day at 8.45 a.m. Generate ideas for action plan – group or individual Generate ideas for action plan – group or individual

* Any Questions?