The UNI Asia Pacific Regional Organizations (Apro) 5th regional
conference opened in Kathmandu, Nepal, on 20-11-2019 with an appearance
by the country’s Prime Minister Shri KP Sharma Oli and a mission to
ensure a just transition for workers in a digitalised
economy.
In this meeting, the agenda for the union federation’s next four
years, more than 600 labour leaders from 20 countries participated in
debate and adopted strategies to grow unions’ power in the new world of
work. UNI Apro is the union federation in the
Asia Pacific region of UNI Global Union. Worldwide, UNI represents 20
million workers in over 150 different countries in the service
industries.
The Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli said: “We measure
development and success not by just the GDP but by the progress of the
people—particularly the working people. No one should be left behind.
“We recognise the power of strong unions to organise and mobilise
for higher wages, a better world, and a just transition. Congratulations
to UNI Apro for constantly championing these things.”
Apro Regional Secretary Christopher Ng commented: “We are happy to
be in a country as hospitable and resilient as Nepal, and I thank the
Prime Minister for his inspiring words as well as for the news of the
advances in workers’ rights and conditions here.”
Like Prime Minister Oli said, we must put people at the centre of
development. Too often, we’ve seen inequality grow as GDP goes up, and
strong unions are the best way to reduce the wealth gap while advancing
workers’ rights in an ever-changing economy.”
During the conference, UNI Apro is celebrated victories in the
region, such as big wins by Nepalese private hospital workers. In
Bangladesh, Grameen Phone employees gained union recognition after a
seven-year struggle. Indonesian union ASPEK mobilized
massive numbers to push through a minimum wage increase. In Korea,
Oracle workers won their union after a 500-day strike. In Japan and
India, printing and graphical unions have formed alliances to grow their
organisations by thousands. Care workers in New
Zealand have secured pay equity.
But there is still work to be done, and the conference wished to
energize and mobilize the region’s unions to build on their successes
through solidarity and cooperation.
Christy Hoffman, UNI Global Union General Secretary, added: “A just
transition is within our reach, but it requires us to act now and to
act in bigger and bolder ways than ever before. It requires organising
and holding corporations and governments accountable.
Together, we will make our economies work for the benefit of
everyone—not just the few—and that is the goal of this conference and
this region.”
On Friday, 22 November, Christopher Ng had stand down after 36
years of tireless service as the Regional Secretary of UNI Apro and its
predecessor organisation. In place of Mr Ng, Sri Rajendra Kumar Acharya,
hasbeen elected as Regional Secretary unanimously.
FNPO felicitated Bri Chris and Bro Rajendra in a grand manner.
Our FNPO
has been honored by electing Bro Milind Nadkarni, ILC President as a
member of Executive Committee. and B SHIVKUMAR Dy SG FNPO as a 1st substitute for Bro Nadakarni)
The hall resounded withe the voice of delegates Unity, Gender equality, decent working conditions and dignified wage structure.
World Post and Logistics conference is going to be held at Dhaka, Senegal in June 2020.
T N RAHATE SG FNPO
