Trade Union Response to Globalisation Noriyuki Suzuki General Secretary ITUC-Asia Pacific

Aims of the ITUC-AP It has been the historic role of trade unionism, and remains its mission, to better the conditions of work and life of working women and men and their families, and to strive for human rights, social justice, gender equality, peace, freedom and democracy. Established in 2007 representing 19m of 49 organisations in 29 countries Excerpt from the Regional Constitution AIM paragraph 2. Question can be given to participants: Regional Constitution Pages 2-3 stipulates 16 bullet points as action areas. Q: Choose two top priorities for action in your country. Bread, Freedom and Peace were set of Manifest of the former ICFTU. The importance of the Manifest is carried forward to the constitution in a different way. 2

Globalisation Deficits Dynamism of global economy Deregulation IT Transportation Creation of One Global Market Rapid economic growth Changes in the labor market Inequality 3

Inequality UNDP Statistics Percentage Share of World GDP Income Group Riches 20% get 86% Middle 60% get 13% Poorest 20% get 1% Source : Human Development Report, 1999 The latest figure by the UNDP is for 1997. No recent figure is available. However, the situation is getting worse. 4

Economic Development and Reality of Unfairness INCOME GROUPS (World) INCOME DISTRIBUTION 1960 1990 Now Top 20% 80% 86% Bottom 20% 2.3% 1.4% 1% Source: UNDP 5

6 Conspicuous evidence of globalisation deficit: Declining labour share in GDP Yellow: EU Black: Japan Red: Commonwealth countries in OECD Blue: U.S. The labour share is declining in OECD countries where trade union densitiy is rather high. Question to participants: Where has 10% gone? Answer: To Share holders. This graph shows consequence of globalisation. Source: International Monetary Fund Similar study was reliesed by ADB: Inequality in Asia 6

UNION DENSITY AND GINI INDEX Finland (12) 74.1 26.9 Sweden (9) 78.0 25.0 Denmark (16) 70.4 24.7 Norway (1) 53.3 25.8 (HID Ranking)

UNION DENSITY AND GINI INDEX India 1.6 36.8 Pakistan 0.6 31.2 Sri Lanka 7.5 Bangladesh - 31.0 Singapore 19.5 42.5 Thailand Malaysia 7.6 37.9 Philippines 11.6 44.0 Indonesia 39.4 China 17.6 41.5 Japan 18.8 24.9 Korea 11.2 31.6 Australia 19.7 35.2

Unemployment Quantity Global Unemployment: 211.5 million Global Unemployment Rate: 6.6% Unemployment of Youth (15-24 yrs old): 13.4 % Quality Informal Economy Atypical Workforce Migrant Labour Unemployment remains high, especially youth unemployment. This is critical situation. Economic growth has not absorbed unemployment. Economic growth 2007 World :5.2% Advanced Economies :2.5% Developing Asia :9.8% China :11.5% India : 8.9 ASEAN 4 : 5.6% Middle East :5.9% 9

Millennium Goals 1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger 2. Achieve universal primary education 3. Promote gender equality and empower women 4. Reduce child mortality 5. Improve maternal health 6. Combat HIV/Aids, malaria and other diseases 7. Ensure environmental sustainability 8. Develop global partnership for development UN Special Session 2000 Question to participants: Have you achieved these goals? If not, what are the reasons? Answer will be discussed throughout our sessions. 10

Decent Work Standards Employment Social Protection Social Dialogue Decent Work is pursued by the ITUC and the ITUC-AP in cooperation with the ILO. 11

Challenges Establish adequate mechanisms of distribution and re-distribution of national wealth for faire working conditions and employment Organising and collective bargaining SSNs Taxation The role of trade union is To set a standard working conditions including employment, and Lead institutional reform for better SSNs and taxation. SSNs and taxation will be discussed in a session. Taxation is a real reflection of power structure. Income tax VAT Donation tax Inheritance tax Corporate tax Q: Are taxation and fiscal policy fair in your country? Social Safety Nets: Q: Does your country have a set of SSNs as follows? Employment insurance Health insurance Pension Industrial accident Education Mutual society Natural disaster 12

In pursuit of Ideal Globalisation 　In this Century, we want to see a situation where “the current process of globalization is generating balanced outcomes, both between and within countries. Wealth is being created, and many countries and people are sharing in its benefits. They have a voice in shaping the process. Seen through the eyes of the vast majority of women and men, globalization has met their own and legitimate aspirations for decent jobs and a better future for our children.” A favorable conversion from the ILO World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalisation (2004), 13

ITUC-AP in the Lead Fundamental Trade Union Rights Action for Unity Organising Employment protection Gender equality Youth Institutional reform: SSNs/Taxation Regional integration Cooperation with GUFs Unemployment remains high, especially youth unemployment. This is critical situation. Economic growth has not absorbed unemployment. Economic growth 2007 World :5.2% Advanced Economies :2.5% Developing Asia :9.8% China :11.5% India : 8.9 ASEAN 4 : 5.6% Middle East :5.9% 14

Constructive Industrial Relations On the basis of full recognition and operations of trade unions in compliance with the ILO Conventions 87 and 98 in pursuit of Decent Work and common welfare, and in a stable political climate for social partners to operate without fear of reprisal, parties concerned share common interest in labour standards, performance of business, conditions of national economy, industries and labour market and a principle of fair distribution of output to stakeholders. 15

This is not a workplace of the ITUC-AP. They are our members. Support them! 16

This is not a workplace of the ITUC-AP. He is our member. Change! 17

Red Card ! Compulsory Education Children should go to school. Red Card ! Compulsory Education 18

The Mission of the ITUC-AP Realise Social Justice Through Building Strong Organisations Raise union density Create a united voice of workers Question can be given to participants: What should be done to build strong orgnaisation? A: Organising and Promotion of Unity for Collective bargaining and Institutional Reform 19

Powerful ITUC-Asia Pacific KEYWORD Participation Democratic institution Unity Strength of affiliates makes the AP more powerful. Action by TURK-IS Powerful ITUC-Asia Pacific 20

Powerful ITUC-Asia Pacific United Voice of Workers for Democracy KEYWORD Participation Democratic institution Unity Strength of affiliates makes the AP more powerful. Nepal in April 2006 when the King surrendered. Powerful ITUC-Asia Pacific United Voice of Workers for Democracy 21

SOLIDARITY FOR BREAD, FREEDOM AND PEACE Conclusion: Without peace, bread and freedom cannot be achieved. As such, one factor is the base for the other two. The role of trade unions in society is crucial for democracy and peace. 22