UNI Apro opens new chapter with election of Regional Secretary-
Rajendra Acharya’s programme includes plans to grow
unions, tackle
the effects of digitalization and achieve a just
transition for workers in
the region UNI Apro pays tribute to
outgoing leader Christopher Ng
KATHMANDU, Nepal—One of the largest trade Asian trade
union
federations has a new leader.
Today, more than 600 union leaders from some 20 countries
voted for
Rajendra Kumar Acharya as the new Regional Secretary of
the
UNI Asia Pacific
Regional Organisation (Apro) at the closing of
its Fifth Regional
Conference. He replaced Christopher Ng,
who is retiring after 36 years in leadership at UNI Apro
and its
predecessor organisations.
Acharya was elected on a platform, called “A Way Forward,”
which outlines 10 commitments, including to union
growth and
just transition in a new world of work, and to achieving a
social
dimension within regional trade and investment policies.
“It is fitting that this new programme was adopted while
we are in
Nepal, where we are seeing a commitment to sustainable
economy
and positive reforms to labour law,” Acharya said.
He continued: “We need a new model in our region—one
that includes sustainable economic and environmental
policies,
strategic union organising at multinational companies, and
a
genuinely people-centred approach to trade and
integration.
To reach these goals, we will grow UNI Apro as a the most
representative voice of workers, including young workers,
women, migrants, the informal, casual and digital
economy.”
Acharya thanked his predecessor, Christopher Ng, for
developing
a strong
organisation in the region: “I have been fortunate to learn
from Brother Ng, who has been a mentor and a friend. He
has
persistently stood for good jobs and justice in our
region, and
I am dedicated to
continuing and building on that work.”
Christopher Ng stated: “After more than 42 years of
service
with the global trade union movement, I am honoured and
thankful to have
been part of UNI Apro’s efforts to
put people in the centre of a globalising Asia and Pacific
region. I am proud of my colleagues in UNI Apro who
fought the battle every day, valiantly, consistently, and
creatively, for jobs, respect and dignity for every
working person
in the region. I
know that our movement and our region is
in good hands with Brother Acharya.”
Acharya’s union leadership began soon after his twentieth
birthday in 1989, while he worked at a bank and became a
local union
delegate. In the years since he has held
several local, national, and international positions, but
never
lost his activist spirit.
UNI Global Union General Secretary Christy Hoffman said:
“We cannot understate Brother Ng’s hard work and
commitment
to trade union values, and he has been a force for
progress in
UNI and Asia. But we know that Rajendra will put his vast
and
diverse experience towards securing a genuine just
transition for
workers in the
region.”
She concluded: “Our ambition with the new plan is to
deliver
more of everything. More participation from women and
youth in our unions, more organised, greener workplaces
that are covered by more collective bargaining agreements.
This, coupled with the energy and activism of this region,
will keep employers in check and deliver respect, dignity
and economic justice for the workers.”
UNI Apro’s President is Minao Noda from Japan and Gerard
Dwyer, from Australia, is the Deputy President as well as
the
National Secretary-Treasurer of the Shop, Distributive and
Allied Employees Association.
UNI Apro is the service workers federation in the Asia
Pacific
region of UNI Global Union.
Worldwide, UNI represents
20 million workers in over 150 different countries.
You can catch up on this week’s conference
events on Twitter using hashtag #AproForWorkers and
on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/uniaproconference/.
ENDS
For more details:
UNI Apro:
Ted Tan, UNI Apro, tedtan@uni-apro.org.sg
UNI Global:
Matthew Painter, UNI Global Union,
