UNI Global Union Conference 2024: Empowering Trade Unions for Decent Work and Digital Transformation
UNI Global Union affiliates gathered for the 6th UNI Asia & Pacific Regional Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, from November 20 to 22, 2024. Approximately 600 participants from 22 countries attended the conference, aiming to drive change in the region over the next four years.
Delegates re-elected Brother Akihiko Matsuura from the Japanese union UA ZENSEN as UNI Asia & Pacific President, along with Brother Rajendra Acharya as Regional Secretary. A new Executive Committee was also confirmed.
The conference discussed key topics, starting with a focus on achieving decent work in the digital age. Panelists addressed issues such as job displacement, upskilling, and the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in the workplace.
Dr. Yuka Ujita from the International Labour Organization (ILO) discussed occupational health and safety (OSH), which became a fundamental right in 2022. She highlighted that overwork causes significant health issues in the Asia-Pacific region, including the deaths of 250,000 people annually due to heart disease and strokes linked to long working hours.
Sister Premkala Sambahamphe from Nepal’s NTEAN explained how her union improved worker welfare through negotiations, emphasizing that safe workplaces benefit businesses and compliance. Successful campaigns from unions in Australia and Japan to reduce violence in the workplace were also showcased.
How can organizations ensure compliance with the recognition of occupational safety and health as a fundamental right?
Interview with Dr. Yuka Ujita: Addressing Occupational Health in the New Era of Work
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Ujita. You spoke at the 6th UNI Asia & Pacific Regional Conference in Bangkok about occupational health and safety, a topic that has gained urgency, especially in the context of long working hours in the Asia-Pacific region. Could you elaborate on the significance of OSH being recognized as a fundamental right since 2022?
Dr. Yuka Ujita: Thank you for having me. Recognizing occupational health and safety as a fundamental right is a significant step towards ensuring that every worker, regardless of their industry or location, has the right to a safe and healthy work environment. This recognition is crucial in addressing the alarming statistics we see today—such as the 250,000 annual deaths in the Asia-Pacific due to heart disease and strokes linked to overwork. By framing OSH as a fundamental right, we can instigate systemic changes that prioritize worker health and safety legislatively and culturally across the region.
Interviewer: The statistics you mentioned are indeed concerning. What do you see as the primary causes of overwork in the Asia-Pacific, and what strategies can unions adopt to mitigate these issues?
Dr. Ujita: Overwork in the Asia-Pacific can often be attributed to cultural norms around work expectations, insufficient labor regulations, and the increasing demands of modern businesses. To mitigate these issues, unions must advocate for better working conditions and work-life balance. This could involve lobbying for stricter limits on working hours, promoting mental health programs, and fostering open dialogues between employers and employees about workload expectations. Moreover, educating workers about their rights related to OSH is vital for empowering them to speak up against dangerous practices.
Interviewer: You emphasized the need for upskilling in your panel discussion, especially in light of the ongoing technological changes. How can unions play a role in ensuring workers are prepared for the digital age?
Dr. Ujita: Unions are in a unique position to lead the charge in upskilling workers. They can negotiate training programs with employers that focus on the skills necessary to thrive in a digital economy. Additionally, unions can collaborate with governments and educational institutions to establish training initiatives tailored to the needs of the workforce. Initiatives like Singapore’s tripartite framework, which has successfully created over 2,700 Company Training Committees, serve as an excellent model for how unions can adapt to and shape the landscape of worker training.
Interviewer: Given the rapid advancements in AI and automation, what role do you foresee for social dialog in protecting workers’ rights as we move forward?
Dr. Ujita: Social dialog is essential in navigating the complexities brought on by AI and automation. It facilitates communication and cooperation between employers, unions, and workers to ensure that the impact of technological changes does not come at the expense of workers’ rights. By establishing a framework for social dialog, we can proactively address workplace changes and craft solutions that protect job security, offer retraining opportunities, and ensure a fair transition to new ways of working.
Interviewer: As the conference concluded, the mood seemed to lean towards optimism. What message do you want to leave our readers regarding the future of work in the Asia-Pacific region?
Dr. Ujita: I believe that while there are significant challenges ahead, the collective energy and commitment demonstrated at the conference signal a positive direction for the future of work in the Asia-Pacific. By strengthening union power through organization and collective bargaining, we can create a work environment where safety, fairness, and dignity prevail. Together, we can drive meaningful change that ensures the rights and well-being of every worker in the region.
A proposal to promote social dialogue highlighted the need for cooperation during technological changes. Rodora Babaran from ASEAN emphasized that AI and automation require adaptation from employers and unions to protect workers’ rights.
Sister Malani Subramaniam from UTES shared Singapore’s tripartite framework, where the government, employers, and unions created over 2,700 Company Training Committees. These committees collaborate on worker training programs, surpassing their 2025 goal.
The conference ended with a sense of optimism and unity, aiming to strengthen union power through organizing and collective bargaining. Participants left motivated to create a better future for workers in the region.