final report - actrav-courses.itcilo.org

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FINAL REPORT

A3 55250 – TRADE UNION TRAINING WORKSHOP ON PROMOTING FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION AND DECENT WORK

FOR WORKERS IN PRECARIOUS EMPLOYMENT BANGKOK, 21 – 25 August 2012

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ACTIVITY REPORT

Title: Trade Union Training Workshop on Promoting Freedom of Association & Decent Work for Workers in Precarious Employment Venue: Hotel Eastin, Bangkok, Thailand, Duration: 21 -25 Aug 2012 (5 days) Participants: ITC-ILO invited 25 trade unions to nominate their representatives for this workshop. 23 union representatives (including 9 women) from 11 Asian countries participated. A participant from Bangladesh, Ms Khatun Hamida, at the very last moment was not given permission by her employer to attend the workshop. The participants were office bearers/member of youth/women committee/educators of national/industrial level unions who are involved in organizing, collective bargaining or in policy making bodies. (See list attached) Others: Resource persons: From JTUC-RENGO & JILAF: – Mr. S Hasegawa, Advisor, JILAF, – Ms. Yuki OTSUJI, Field Projects Group, JILAF) From IndustriALL (Thailand) Ms. Aranya Pakpath, Coordinator From ILO & ITC-ILO - Mr. Shigeru Wada, Senior Specialist for Workers Activities, Actrav-ILO, ROAP - Ms. Chrsitine Nathan, Regional Workers Education Specialist, ILO-ROAP - Mr. Arun Kumar, Senior Programme Officer, Programme for Workers Education, ITC-ILO

Workshop background and contents: This training workshop was organized in cooperation with JILAF. It was aimed at developing the technical and organizational capacities of the unions to promote freedom of association and social protection (two integral components of Decent Work) for workers in precarious employment. The rapid economic growth of Asian countries is going hand in hand with growth of informal-unorganized sectors, labour market deregulation and with precarious work on the rise. Women and youth are bearing the brunt of these laissez faire policies in the labour markets. More and more workers are working in precarious situations with little or no social protection or trade union rights. This strategy of ‘externalization of labour’ is shifting the risk and costs to sub-contractors and workers, undermining compliance with labour laws and poses a big challenge to trade unions. As precarious work system grows, who is the employer and who is responsible for compliance with labour law is becoming a major dispute in many

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countries today. Despite ratifications of many important ILO conventions by Asian countries, there are often cases of anti-union discrimination, and denial of rights to organize and collective bargaining. It is essential that trade unions take actions through social dialogue and negotiations to promote respect for Freedom of Association and Right to Collective Bargaining – pre-conditions for promoting Decent Work in the economy. The 15th Asian Regional Meeting of ILO member states held in Kyoto, Japan in Dec 2011 reviewed the progress made towards the objectives of Asian Decent Work Decade (2006 -2015) and stressed that employment and social protection, backed by fundamental principles and rights at work and social dialogue, are critical to the recovery and to the pursuit of economic, social and environmental sustainability. The training workshop was therefore opportunity for the participants to study and share experiences on trade union organizing, collective bargaining and initiatives for social protection of workers in precarious jobs. Within this context, the participants also learnt about ILO’s Decent Work Agenda, guidance provided by ILO standards for regulating precarious relationships and the experiences of the Japanese trade unions in organizing and promoting decent work for workers in Japan. This interaction also promotes better knowledge of Japanese economy and labour relations and closer links with Japanese labour movement. The workshop was part of Actrav-ILO-JILAF effort to strengthen Asia-Pacific Regional Educational Network on Workers Rights – to share experiences and promote actions for promotion of Decent Work in Asia. Project Targets:

• Strengthen trade unions’ capacities for promoting freedom of association & organizing workers in precarious employment relationships; • Develop understanding among the trade unions on how ILO policies & standards can help promote decent work for all, including for workers in precarious employment; • Learn from the experiences of Japan to promote responsive labour relations and decent work for all. Contents of the workshop:

Main issues that were focus of presentations, group work and discussions were: Lessons from Global Economic Crisis, Decent Work & the Labour

Movement: focus on root causes of and lessons from ‘crisis’ for growth, employment and labour relations policies and relevance of ILO’s Decent Work approach to ensure sustainable growth and fair globalization.

Review of Country Situations: Based on the country reports, participants worked in groups to present the key issues facing trade unions in regard to freedom of association, employment conditions of workers in precarious

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employment and organizing initiatives by unions.

Precarious work, labour law & ILO Recommendations on employment relationships: This session discussed changing nature of employment & employment relationships in the flexible labour markets and guidelines provided by ILO Recommendation R 198 for national policy, law and practices to guarantee protection of all workers in an employment relationship. Session was followed by group work on trade union responses to precarious employment situation

Role of trade unions for precarious employment in Japan: Participants from Asia were presented with a comprehensive picture of the employment relations systems, role of law v/s collective bargaining in promoting employment security & challenges before Japanese trade unions in regulating precarious work and promoting decent work for al.

ILO Standards on Freedom of Association and Collective bargaining and situation in Asia: Presentation on key principles of ILO Convention 87 (Freedom of Association) and C 98 (Collective Bargaining), Supervisory mechanism for promotion and compliance with C 87, followed by group work on review of national labour laws, including applicability to workers in precarious employment, with a view to identify trade union agenda for reform of law and strategy to promote FoA;

Strategies for Organizing workers in informal economy and in precarious employment relations: This topic was covered under two sessions: In the first session, presentation was made of JILAF project in Thailand on Decent Work for Informal Sector workers in Asia and its findings and lessons AND in the second session the presentation on organizing strategies was followed by group work on strategies to promote organizing of workers in informal economy and in informal, non-regular employment

Promoting Decent Work (FoA) in Asia: Union initiatives & Campaigns: Presentation giving overview of the union initiatives for promoting freedom of association in selected Asian countries, followed by group discussions on union strategies to deal with challenges posed by precarious work and union policies for regulating precarious employment.

Preparation of follow up work plan - Participants prepared follow up work plans – to strengthen the actions of their trade unions for organizing and extending social protection to workers in precarious employment and promoting union actions for decent work for all. These plans will be used by the Programme for future evaluations and for follow-up activities.

Evaluation of the workshop - Workshop activities were reviewed through an end-of-workshop evaluation to examine the level of achievement of the

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immediate objectives and the level of satisfaction of participants.

The gender dimensions of each of the above topics were incorporated in the sessions in both presentations as well as in discussions.

Achievements of the workshop/successful points: The training contributed towards capacity building of union representatives from developing Asian countries. Through workshop activities, discussions and exchange of information, the participants discussed union strategies for organizing workers, influencing labour law reforms to extend social protection and promote decent work for workers. The workshop helped in regional exchange of experiences and cross fertilization of ideas where unions learn from different country experiences on promotion of decent work for all workers. The ILO resource persons sought to inform & discuss with union representatives the role of International Labour Standards in promoting organizing and Decent Work for precarious workers. The participants also benefitted from presentations and discussions led by JILAF resource persons on the initiatives in Japan for promotion of decent work and role of trade unions. Knowing about the successes and the challenges of the Japanese economy, labour and institutions contributes towards a learning process that can promote new ways of thinking about tripartitism, role of social dialogue and collective bargaining in development process and in promoting decent work for all. Participants also discussed and identified capacity gaps with-in the trade unions that hinder effective participation of unions in the social dialogue process at country level and in formulation and implementation of policies for decent work. In the light of workshop presentations, participants discussed union strategies for influencing policies & initiatives for promotion of workers voice, representation & social protection for workers in precarious employment as part of Decent Work agenda of the union. Participants also prepared follow up work plans to strengthen the work of their unions. Participants found the workshop relevant and useful as confirmed by the end-of-workshop evaluation (see evaluation results attached). This training workshop will be followed up by Actrav so as to not only build an effective trade union rights network but also support FoA campaign as the stepping stone towards promotion of decent work in Asia. Programme Coordinators’ opinion is that this process of capacity building of unions in Asia needs to continue so as to build up a minimum number of trained persons within each national union (this is crucial also in view of the drop outs of union personnel that happen within union structures). Participants and their unions need to be encouraged to take initiatives for campaigns for promotion of freedom of

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association, collective bargaining and Decent Work for all, including for workers in informal economy.

Plans for future activities: Actrav-Turin would like to propose this Actrav-JILAF initiative for capacity building of Asian trade unions be given a 3 year perspective during which we focus on the theme of promoting democratic industrial relations and decent work. In this process, resource persons from Japanese trade unions have an integral role to play and it will also foster closer links with Japanese labour movement. Under this framework, emphasis should be on training focal points from Asian unions and contribute towards an educational network among trade unions. These focal points can then help disseminate and train others within their organizations so as to support the campaigns for freedom of association, organizing, collective bargaining for promotion of Decent Work for All – which is the overarching goal of Asian Decent Work Decade (2006 -2015) – to which governments in Asia have committed themselves to. With this view, we place for consideration of JILAF the following activities under the JILAF- Actrav cooperation framework for capacity building of Asian trade unions for the year 2013: 1. Promoting Decent Work for workers in Informal economy (focus on organizing and social protection)

(Proposed dates: May or Aug, 2013, Bangkok – dates to be decided mutually)

Activity Summary: The training is aimed at developing technical and organizational capacities of the unions to promote Decent Work for workers in the informal economy. The workshop will provide an opportunity for the participants to study and share experiences on trade union organizing, collective bargaining issues for the informal economy workers and the role of ILO policies and standards as instruments for improving working conditions and rights for workers in informal economy. The workshop will also be an opportunity to learn from the experiences of JILAF project on informal sector workers and also from the experiences of the Japanese trade unions in promoting decent work for workers in Japan. Based on these, participants will discuss and propose follow up work plans for promoting decent work for workers in informal economy, drawing from concrete examples of organizing strategies and social protection initiatives employed by trade unions. Expected support: Expected financial support the training programme: US $28,000. 2. Training Workshop on ‘Organizing, Social Dialogue and Collective Bargaining for Decent Work in Asia (Proposed date: July/Oct, 2013, Tokyo/Jakarta – dates to be decided mutually)

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Activity Summary: To face the challenges of organizing and collective bargaining in this age of flexible employment, outsourcing and competition, unions need to not only think of new ways of organizing and expand union coverage but also improve its abilities for social dialogue and collective bargaining to ensure that workers get a real share of the gains from productivity growth. Organizing workers and ensuring respect for collective bargaining rights remains major tasks before Asian trade unions. This training workshop will therefore aim at developing technical capacities of trade unions from select Asia-Pacific countries for negotiations, social dialogue and collective bargaining. The workshop will provide an opportunity for the participants to not only learn about the role of ILO’s International Labour Standards as instruments for promoting Decent Work for All but it will also be an occasion to know about the Japanese policies for promoting democratic industrial relations and collective bargaining system. In this context, learning from Japanese trade unions about their experiences of organizing and collective bargaining (Shunki Seikatsu Shunto movement) for improving working conditions and decent wages can contribute to the development of strategies of trade unions in other parts of Asia for improving effectiveness of collective bargaining at company level and expanding unionization.

Expected support: Expected financial support requested is US $ 28,000 On hearing of ‘in principle approval’ from you, we will follow up with the details of the workshops and the budget. Report prepared by: Arun Kumar Programme Coordinator 05 Oct 2012

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Schedule of the workshop:

Programme for Workers' Activities (ACTRAV), ITC-ILO in cooperation with JILAF

Title: Promoting Freedom of Association & Decent Work for Workers in Precarious Employment Language: English Venue : Bangkok Time TUE, 21 AUG WED, 22 AUG THURS, 23 AUG FRI, 24 AUG SAT, 25 AUG

09:00

|

10:00

Workshop Opening

ITC-ILO, JILAF, ACTRAV

Introduction to JILAF

Precarious work, labour law &

ILO Recommendations on

employment relationships

Arun/Actrav

ILO Standards on FoA & CB and

situation in Asia

Arun /Actrav

Promoting Decent Work (FoA) in

Asia: Union initiatives &

Campaigns

Christine Nathan/Actrav

Presentations of follow up action

plans

Actrav/JILAF

10.00

|

10.45

Growth with Social Justice:

Decent Work response to Crisis

& challenges for Asia

Arun/Actrav-Turin

Session contd…

Session contd…

Session contd…

Session contd

Tea/Coffee break

11:00

|

12:30

Session contd

Arun/

'Role of trade unions for

precarious employment in Japan'

Mr. S. Hasegawa/JILAF

Session contd…

Negotiating for Decent Work:

Reviewing Collective Bargaining

practices

Actrav

Summary Discussions

FoA & Decent Work for workers in

precarious employment: Key issues

14:00

|

15:30

Employment, FoA & State of TU

movement in Asia: Key issues

facing unions

Shigeru Wada/Actrav

Group Work

Country Situation Review

Group Work

Trade Union Responses to

precarious employment

Actrav

Decent Work for Informal Sector

workers in Asia: JILAF’s project

in Thailand

Yuki Otsuji

------------------

Q&A Session

Supporting labour movement in

Asia: JILAF

Development of follow up action

plans

FoA & Decent Work for Workers

in Precarious Employment

Evaluation and Closing

/Actrav/JILAF/

15:45

|

17:00

Group Work Presentations

&

Discussions of key issues

Group Work Presentations

&

Discussions of key issues

Organizing: Pathway to Decent

Work

Actrav

Development of follow up action

plans

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EVALUATION RESULTS

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BANGLADESH

Full Name: Mr. Ashraful ISLAM 1

National Centre::

[JSL] JATIYO SRAMIK LEAGUE

Institution: Jatio Sramik League Youth Committee

Position: Assistant General Secretary of JSL Youth Committee Address: 23, B.B. Avenue, 3rd Floor,; 1000; Dhaka; BANGLADESH Tel.: 0088029554499

Fax: 0088027162222

Web:

E-mail: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

FIJI

Full Name: Mr. Shalend PREM SINGH 2

National Centre::

[FTUC] FIJI TRADES UNION CONGRESS

Institution: Fiji Local Government Officers Association

Position: National Secretary of fiji Local government Officers Association (FLGOA) which is affiliate of FTUC. Also National Executive Council Member

Address: 169 Vitogo Parade, Lautoka; PO Box: P O Box 124, Lautoka; n/a; Lautoka; FIJI

Tel.: (679) 6660433 or (679) 9246534 Fax: (679) 6663288

Web:


INDIA

Full Name: Mr. Anish MISRA 3

National Centre::

[BMS] BHARATIYA MAZDOOR SANGH

Institution: BMS

Position: member Address: 27, Deendayal Upadhyay Marg; 110032; delhi; INDIA Tel.: 01123710231

Fax:

Web:


A355250 Promoting Freedom of Association and Decent Work for workers in precarious employment

21/08/2012 – 25/08/2012

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

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INDIA

Full Name: Mr. Sameer PANDEY 4

National Centre::

[INTUC] INDIA NATIONAL TRADE UNION CONGRESS

Institution: CHHATTISGARH ASANGATHIT MAZDOOR CONGRESS

Position: General Secretary Address: c/o INDIAN NATIONAL TRADE UNION CONGRESS,GOLDEN

HOMES,NEAR VIP CLUB,KHAMARDIH,RAIPUR; 492001; RAIPUR; INDIA

Tel.: 07819283333 Fax:

Web:

E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

INDIA

Full Name: Ms. Shahnaz rafique ----- RARIQUE 5

National Centre::

IndustriAll – IMF GUF

Position: spl.invitee jharkhand&DISTRICT PRESIDENT WOMEN WING&

DISTRstate Address: INTUC,HINOO, RANCHI; PO Box: ----; 831001; JAMSHEDPUR; INDIA Tel.: 9204559776

Fax: -----

Web:


INDONESIA

Full Name: Ms. Anita tourisia NIKMAN BAKRIE 6

National Centre::

[CITU] Confederation of Indonesian Trade Union

Institution: FSPMI

Position: Women Comittee member Address: JL.RAYA PONDOK GEDE NO.11,JAKARTA TIMUR; 13550; JAKARTA;

INDONESIA Tel.: +6221 87796916

Fax: +6221 8413954

Web:


INDONESIA

Full Name: Ms. Uly Nursia PAKPAHAN 7

National Centre::

[KSBSI] Confederation of Indoenesia Prosperity Trade Union

Institution: KSBSI

Position: GENERAL CHAIRPERSON Address: JL. Cipinang Muara Raya no.33, Cipinang Muara, Jatinegara, Jakarta

Timur; 13420; Jakarta Timur; INDONESIA Tel.: +622170984671

Fax:

Web:


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MALAYSIA

Full Name: Ms. Margaret PAUL 8

National Centre::

[MTUC] MALAYSIAN TRADES UNION CONGRESS

Institution: Sesco Employee’s Union

Position: Committee Member Address: No.38A 1st Floor Lot 76, Jalan Ban Hock; 93100; Kuching; MALAYSIA Tel.: +600128940494

Fax:

Web:


MALAYSIA

Full Name: Ms. Lau Say YEE 9

National Centre::

MALAYSIA OTHERS

Institution: UNI-APRO

Position: Assistant Treasurer of Genting Malaysia Bhd. Workers Union Address: MALAYSIA Tel.:

Fax:

Web:

E-mail: [email protected], \”Magdalene Kong\” <[email protected]>

NEPAL

Full Name: Ms. Usha Kiran BHANDARI 10

National Centre::

NEPAL OTHERS

Institution: BWI-NAC

Position: Project Coordinator Address: New Baneshwor; PO Box: 13145; none; Kathmandu; NEPAL Tel.: +977-1-4104194

Fax:

Web:


NEPAL

Full Name: Mr. Ramdev PAJIYAR 11

National Centre::

[NTUC] NEPAL TRADE UNION CONGRESS

Institution: Nepal Trade Union Congress-Independent

Position: District President Address: Shantinagar-34, Kathmandu, Nepal; PO Box: 5507; +977; Kathmandu;

NEPAL Tel.: +977-1-4107754

Fax: +977-1-4107759

Web:


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NEPAL

Full Name: Ms. Ful Maya TAMANG 12

National Centre::

[GEFONT] GENERAL FEDERATION OF NEPALESE TRADE UNIONS

Institution: Nepal Independent Carpet Workers Union- NICWU

Position: Secretary of NICWU Address: Man Mohan Labour Building, Putalisadak; PO Box: 10652; +977;

Kathmandu; NEPAL Tel.: +977 1 4168000

Fax:

Web:


NEPAL

Full Name: Mr. Rajan TIMALSINA 13

National Centre::

NEPAL OTHERS

Institution: All Nepal Federation of Trade Unions (ANTUF)

Position: Under General Secretary Address: Paris Danda, Koteshwor-35; PO Box: 26543; 00977; Kathmandu; NEPAL Tel.: 977-1-4602793

Fax: 977-1-4602758

Web:


PAKISTAN

Full Name: Ms. Rabeea HADI 14

National Centre::

[PWF] Pakistan Workers Federation

Institution: Pakistan Workers Fedration

Position: Regional Chairman Women Committe, KPk Address: Union Plaza, 3-62, 3rd floor, Bank Road; 46000; Rawalpindi; PAKISTAN Tel.: +92-51-5517425

Fax: +92-51-5517425

Web:


PHILIPPINES

Full Name: Mr. Donaldo Octera DE VILLA 15

National Centre::

[FFW] FEDERATION OF FREE WORKERS

Institution: FLT Prime Insurance Corporation Employees Union-FFW

Position: Deputy Chairperson, FFW Trade Federation for Commercial Workers and Address: 16 floor PearlBank Center No.146 Valero Street, Salcedo Village; 1227;

Makati City, Philippines; PHILIPPINES Tel.: 632 8922826

Fax: 632 8130029

Web:


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PHILIPPINES

Full Name: Mr. Eddie Ledesma DIVINAGRACIA 16

National Centre::

[TUCP] TRADE UNION CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES

Institution: National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE)

Position: Chairman of the National Directorate - National Union of Bank Employees Address: c/o NUBE, PNB Compound, Araneta Centre, Cubao; 0810; Quezon City;

PHILIPPINES Tel.: (63)2 9137224

Fax: (63)2 9122378

Web:


SRI LANKA

Full Name: Mr. Velayudam N/a RUTHIRADEEPAN 17

National Centre::

National Trade Union Federation (NTUF)

Institution: NATIONAL ESTATE SERVICES UNION Position: VICE PRESIDENT Address: NO. 60, BANDARANAYAKEPURA MAWATHA, WELIKADA,; PO Box: N/A;

10100; RAJAGIRIYA; SRI LANKA Tel.: + 94 11 2872790

Fax: + 94 11 2862262

Web:


SRI LANKA

Full Name: Mr. Veeriah VISVANATHAN 18

National Centre::

[CWC] CEYLON WORKERS’ CONGRESS

Institution: CEYLON WORKERS CONGRESS

Position: ZONAL DIRECTOR Address: 72,ANANDA COOMARASWAMY MAWATHA; PO Box: 1294; 00700;

COLOMBO; SRI LANKA Tel.: +94112301358

Fax: +9411231355

Web:


THAILAND

Full Name: Mr. Worawut AUMSIRI 19

National Centre::

[TTUC] THAI TRADE UNION CONGRESS

Institution: The Thai Dairy Industry Co., Ltd

Position: Vice President, TTUC Address: 420/393-394 Tipawan Teparak Rd. Samrong Nua Samut Prakarn ; 10270;

Bangkok; THAILAND Tel.: 02 3840438

Fax: 02 3840438

Web:

E-mail:

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THAILAND

Full Name: Mr. Anuchit KAEWTON 20

National Centre::

[LCT] LABOUR CONGRESS OF THAILAND

Institution: Thai Industrial Parts Co., Ltd

Position: General Secretary Address: 420/393-4 Tipawan Theparak Road ; 10150; Bangkok; THAILAND -

THAILAND Tel.: 02 3840438

Fax: 02 384 67 89

Web:

E-mail:

THAILAND

Full Name: Mr. Somchai LAICHAROEN 21

National Centre::

THAILAND OTHERS

Institution: ALCON Public Company Limited

Position: Secretary General - NCPE - National Congress Private Industrial of Employees

Address: 229 Soi Prayasuren 50 Khang Samwatawantok Khate Klongsamwa ; 10150; Bangkok; THAILAND - THAILAND

Tel.: 02-9193100 Fax:

Web:

E-mail:

THAILAND

Full Name: Mr. Chalong RAGSASRI 22

National Centre::

[SERC] STATE ENTERPRISES WORKERâ¿¿S RELATIONS CONFEDERATION

Institution: Thai Plywood COmpany Limited

Position: Director (in charge of Informal Sector Workers and Migrant Workers) Address: 44 NikomRodfai KM.11 Viphavadee Soi 11 Jatujak ; 10900; Bangkok;

THAILAND - THAILAND Tel.: 02 5378973

Fax: 029362450

Web:

E-mail:

VIET NAM

Full Name: Ms. Thanh Le VU 23

National Centre::

[TLD] TONG LIEN DOAN LAO DONG VIETNAM

Institution: Vietnam General Confederation of labour Position: Senior officer Address: 82 Tran Hung Dao st. Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam; 04; Hanoi; VIET NAM Tel.: 8443 942 5487

Fax: 8443 822 3323

Web:


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LIST OF RESOURCE PERSONS From JTUC-RENGO & JILAF: Mr. S Hasegawa, Advisor, JILAF, Ms. Yuki OTSUJI, Field Projects Group, JILAF)

From IndustriALL (Thailand) Ms. Aranya Pakpath, Coordinator

From ILO & ITC-ILO Mr. Shigeru Wada, Senior Specialist for Workers Activities, Actrav-ILO, ROAP Ms. Chrsitine Nathan, Regional Workers Education Specialist, ILO-ROAP Mr. Arun Kumar, Senior Programme Officer, Programme for Workers Education, ITC-ILO

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