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

2. 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

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

4. 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 No recent figure is available. However, the situation is getting worse. 4

5. 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. 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

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

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

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

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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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