JAKARTA (ILO News): The International Labour Organization (ILO) is organizing a two-day Sub-Regional Seminar on Strengthening Union Capacity Overcoming Multiplicity of Unions in South East Asia” from 12-13 December 2011 in Jakarta. The seminar is aimed to share experiences on how unions can be united on issues of common concerns and discuss ways as well as means to strengthen their solidarity and avoid proliferation of unions.

Attended by the unions’ representatives from Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, the seminar is also aimed to provide a forum for the delegates to share experiences and learn from one another on issues, among others, related to minimum wages and labour law reforms. In addition, it aims to discuss the importance of union capacity as a way forward to achieve decent work for unions’ members.

“Recognizing difficulties faced by trade unions in the region to function effectively in adverse environment, including frequent violation of freedom of association and lack of collective bargaining culture, the seminar plays an important role in promoting better cooperation and coordination among trade unions. Unity is the key to improve the capacity of the unions in representing and protecting the interests of workers,” said Dan Cunniah, Director of the ILO-ACTRAV Geneva.

The seminar concludes with the establishment of the Joint Trade Union Secretariat by the four major Indonesian union confederations: KSPSI, KSPSI-Kalibata, KSPI and KSBSI. The Joint Secretariat is part of the effort to establish “one voice” among the union leaders and to ensure better involvement of the confederations as one in the implementation process of the Indonesian Jobs Pact.

“Nobody can represent the interests of workers better than workers themselves,” said Country Director of the ILO in Indonesia, Peter van Rooij. “Therefore, through the Joint Secretariat, it is hoped that unions would strengthen their working relations, be more actively involved in the tripartite social dialogue and contribute to policy development, including the implementation of the Indonesian Jobs Pact.”

For further information please contact:

Soeharjono
Programme Officer for Workers’ Activities
Tel.: +6221 391 3112 ext. 113
Email

Gita F. Lingga
Media Officer
Tel.: +6221 391 3112 ext. 115
Email