|
.
Women
talk of organising – and training
- 31.05.2002
Organising and
training came up as the top priorities for women trade unionists in most
national reports presented by members on the first day of the UNI-Asia &
Pacific Women’s Committee which precedes the Regional Conference.
Lee Kang-Sun, KFIU Korea, (left) and Dr
Kyungjin Song, ICFTU Asia & Pacific |
General shot of top table at
UNI-Asia & Pacific's Women's Committee |
UNI Women’s Officer Monique Marti
reports ….
Without organising all workers, we
just undermine our ability to fight, the Korean sister concluded after
reporting on the industrial action taken by the telecom union in protest over
large-scale retrenchments. 1000 call centre workers, 80% of which are women,
mostly married and with children, showed solidarity and unity in the action.
The hair shaving action of union leaders was impressive, because it had never
been done by women before. However the company plan for spin-up could not be
stopped, but the union succeeded in obtaining some compensation for the people
who lost their jobs. The union does not organise part-timers, non regular
workers, and those worked during their strike so customers did not feel the
full impact of a strike, because they were attended by those workers.
Unionising part-time workers is therefore considered as crucial by the Korean
sister
A Japanese colleague underlined that unions should campaign for equal status
of atypical workers (part-time, temporary, casual etc). She felt that if
unions cannot organise part-timers, they will form their own union. 20% of
workforce are part-time workers in Japan, 70% of whom are women. Their wages
are only up to 75% of those of full-timers. We look for discrimination in
terms and conditions. Based on Convention 175, we claim under
anti-discrimination law.
The Indonesian sister reminded the committee that trade unions are very young
in Indonesia. There is therefore a big need for basic trade union training,
especially for women. According to statistics, 60% of workers in finance and
commerce are women in Indonesia. The response from women who participated in
the three seminars conducted by the union having been excellent, they would
like to increase number of workshops, both basic and leadership training.
Training is particularly important in Indonesia, because there is still a lack
of solidarity between workers and they believe that training will improve
that. After reformation in the country, women speak for women, very
forcefully. Women’s Committee tries to inform on what the union gives.
Faced with the absence of funds for organising women’s activities, UNI women
in the Philippines have launched fund raising campaigns for women. 1000 pesos
raised. The objective is not just to raise money, but to build solid
relationships and solidarity. Family members were involved in the campaign and
as an incentive, those getting the best results won a price. To show that we
are not just for improving the women workers’ conditions, we do something
also for people who cannot afford anything, the Committee member reported.
Herself being social workers, she has contacts to doctors and the
pharmaceutical industry which she managed to convince to offer free
consultation or medicine. As trade union movement we have the responsibility
of training our members. The Women’s Committee will conduct local training
for women. The local affiliate has to provide food, the mother union provides
material (pens etc.) The Women’s Committee also intends to provide training
for livelihood goods, e.g. cooking or whatever members require require.
Pakistan is facing very bad situation. Sandwich between India and super-power
USA. There is no democracy, military rule. No trade union activity, because
male leadership does not dare to.
However, we women can do something. Jasmina opened a canteen in a medical
centre, planning to do another in a school, on a cooperative basis.
|
