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

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
Country %
Mongolia
38.9
Taiwan
37.7
Fiji 30
Israel
Singapore 26
Australia 24
Hong Kong 22
New Zealand
21.5
Japan 18
Sri Lanka
Turkey 15
Korea 11
(Source ITUC-AP)
Country %
Malaysia 9
India
Indonesia 8
Nepal 7
Philippines
Pakistan
Papua NG 5
Bangladesh 4
Thailand 1
China ?
Viet Nam
Source: H. Ishibashi, quoting ITUC-AP.

4. CBA Coverage Europe Asia Country % Austria 98-99 Belgium 91-99 Denmark
81-90
Italy 91
France 90
Finland
Germany
61-70
Netherlands
Spain UK
31-40
Country %
Japan
17-18
Philippines
Indonesia
India
Pakistan
Korea
Nepal
Fiji
China
Malaysia
Sri Lanka
Viet Nam
Source: H. Ishibashi

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?

6. 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 ?

7. 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

8. 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?

9. 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?

10. 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

11. 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 – motivated thru activism & self-help among workers;
Education, research or communication activities;
Develop campaigns, alliances & use members to support external organizing

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

13. Organizing Strategies
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?
Need to go beyond wage bargaining – into social welfare
- 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

14. Organizing Strategies
Leveraging power of the ‘organised’- Eg. Railway unions extending their reach to hawkers, coolies, contractors workers, etc
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.
Role of international labour solidarity & International Framework Agreements
Organizing not at workplace but at workers living areas – role of self help groups

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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 ???

19. 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?