Role of International Solidarity Support in Capacity Building of Unions Using the Example of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) FES/Actrav-ITC-ILO Trade Union Training on Decent Work Country Programmes and the Role of Trade Unions 6 September 2011, Phnom Penh

Who is FES? Background and History Background Germany's oldest political foundation was founded in 1925 as a political legacy of Friedrich Ebert. Friedrich Ebert ( ) was a social democratic politician and active within the trade union movement. 1919, he became the first democratic elected head of state of Germany.

Who is FES? Background and History Background 1933 FES was banned like all other institutions linked to the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) 1947 FES was re- established and first scholarships were given out again 1954 registered as society in the 1960ies the international cooperation became a focus of FES work. The main task of the foundation in the beginning was to counteract the discrimination of workers in the field of education. FES played an important role in the peaceful revolution and democratization processes in Greece, Spain, Portugal and South Africa.

Who is FES? Background and History Background FES is working in 15 Offices and 18 countries in Asia We are running programs on political education with parliaments, government institutions, trade unions, media institutions, academic institutions, think tanks, international organisations

620 employees worldwide educational events, symposia and discussion fora in Germany only 2010 Activities in more than 100 countries worldwide students had an FES-scholarship in 2010, incl. 330 students from abroad Biggest library on German and International Labour Movement with volumes of books Funding by Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development and Third-Party-Funding Facts and Figures FES Today

For Social Justice and Social Democracy Promoting the renewal of the social democracy Strengthe- ning political participation and social cohesion. Organizing economical and social order equitably. Deepening the dialogue between unions and politicians. Shaping a social globalization. Objectives What are the objectives of FES?

Relationships in Germany Sharing of Common Roots And Shared Values but Politically and financially independent Confederation of German Trade Unions Social Democratic Party of Germany Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung

Why does FES support the international trade union movement? Because Social Democrats and Unions are historically linked? The deputy chairman of FES is always a representative of the unions? The DGB has given the mandate to FES to represent the German Trade Unions abroad? Trade Union Support

Why we mainly support trade unions… Trade Union Support FES supports union work worldwide because free trade unions are among the core elements of a democratic society. Tell me how (un) free the trade union movement in one country is, and I'll tell you how (un) democratic the political system is!

Democracy does not stop at the factory gates or office doors Freedom of association is a fundamental prerequisite for the achievement of democracy. (no freedom of association = no participation) Freedom of association in the workplace is a fundamental prerequisite for the realization of social democracy. (no freedom of association at the workplace = no social dialogue) Trade Union Support

Social Dialogue is the democratic balance of interests at the workplace The standard conflict between the right of property (entrepreneur) on one hand and the right of self-determination (workers), on the other hand, can be "cured" through social dialogue. Participation of workers in the establishment of working conditions minimal version of the social dialogue Participation of workers in the provision of corporate objectives maximum version of the social dialogue Trade Union Support

Role of Trade Unions in the Society Trade Union Support Unions organize social dialogue and thus organize the participation of workers in decision-making about workplace problems. Unions provide the concrete realization, and the permanent monitoring of compliance with international core labor and social standards. Unions represent the interests of its members, thus ensuring the consideration of these interests in a pluralist society. Trade unions are also developing inevitably positions on general socio-political issues (social, economic, technological, environmental, educational, health, culture and foreign policy and peace policy). Unions are thus an integral part of a vibrant democracy.

Trade Union Support Without Unions There Is No Social Democracy The Friedrich Ebert Foundation’s Perception of the Task of Unions Worldwide … Our work ensures that union interests and positions are presented and included in political and economic decision‐making processes on the national, regional and global level. Unions, workers’ councils and other organizations for labor policy advocacy can realize their potential only if they are representative, democratic, independent, competent and effective. One of the core tasks of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation is to support the efforts of unions to reach these goals. Without Unions There Is No Social Democracy The Friedrich Ebert Foundation’s Perception of the Task of Unions Worldwide … Our work ensures that union interests and positions are presented and included in political and economic decision‐making processes on the national, regional and global level. Unions, workers’ councils and other organizations for labor policy advocacy can realize their potential only if they are representative, democratic, independent, competent and effective. One of the core tasks of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation is to support the efforts of unions to reach these goals.

How is the FES Trade Union Cooperation Program organized? GLOBAL LEVEL Partners: ITUC, GUFs, ILO, TUAC, DGB-family Control: Co-ordinator of the Global Trade Union Program and the Continent Co-ordinators of the Global Trade Union Program (Berlin) ↑ ↓ REGIONAL LEVEL Partners: Regional structure of the ITUC, GUFs regional structure of individual, national umbrella organizations Control: Head of the regional trade union project (Singapore, for example) + respective Continent Co-ordinators of the Global Trade Union Program (Berlin) ↑ ↓ NATIONAL LEVEL Partners: National federations, trade unions, major industry, major unions Control: Resident Director (Manila, for example) + Desk Officer of the respective country (Berlin) Trade Union Support

The Global Trade Union Program is working on… Trade Union Support Decent Work Agenda Dialogue of Trade Unions and IFIs ILO Convention on Domestic Workers Global Labour University International Framework Agreements Trade Union Networks in transnational companies Involvement of Trade Unions in the G20 process

The Regional Trade Union Cooperation in Asia is working on… Trade Union Support Social Justice (Inter-) Regional Integration Processes (ASETUC/AS EM) Dialogue with IFIs (ADB) Migration Domestic Work Social Security Informal Sector Gender Where is Decent Work?

Trade Union Support THANK YOU