‘Organizing’ in the changing world of work

‘Organizing’ in the changing world of work Issues and Strategies Arun Kumar, Actrav-ILO-Turin

Organizing – one of the main ways for unions to promote Decent Work & Social Protection for workers But its a task made very difficult in this period of flexible and insecure employment where neither labour laws, nor labour markets or employment conditions are favourably placed for promoting organizing; So, what is the state of unionism in A-P?

Union Density Asia/Pacific (Source ITUC-AP) Source: H. Ishibashi, quoting ITUC-AP.

CBA Coverage Europe Asia Source: H. Ishibashi

Why is trade union density and coverage of collective bargaining low in Asia? - external factors? - internal causes? So, what can the trade unions do to organize, including those in informal employment relationships?

So, how do trade unions Organize? • No ready made solutions, no single model; • Strategies will depend on – • Country legal framework (what rights exist?) • Type of industry and state of the industry • Nature of employment, types of workers (self employed/wage employed/home based/ contract/etc • Union Strategy & Structure? • Union resources (financial, material & people) • Image and status of the TUs • What else ?

Facing the Organizing Challenge Broadly speaking, TU Actions need to be taken at two levels - • Macro policy level – to create enabling environment for organizing • In the field, at workplace, at community level – where the workers are

Creating enabling environment • What are the main demands of trade unions in your country? • Campaigns at national level on issues such as – • Freedom of Association (Right to Organise, to Union Recognition) & Collective Bargaining Rights (ILO Conventions 87 & 98) - • Tripartitism – right to be represented in the decision making bodies at Govt level • Domestic social clause • Building partnerships with other movements • What else does Unions need to do?

Organizing Actions at Workplace Questions to be considered • Why should a worker join the union? What can union give them in this age of flexible employment? • Where is our power in a market economy? in numbers or ? • How have we been organizing so far? • What new strategies can we develop for organizing and strengthening TUs?

Union Approaches Servicing Model • Union/union officials provide collective & individual services to members; • Members dependent on the Union & its Office bearers to provide what they require. • Unions’ officials control union resources, strategies, interests & develop union tactics NOT MUCH INVOLVEMENT OF MEMBERSHIP IN TU ACTIVITIES

Union Approaches Organizing Model • Not just an approach to organizing but also a vision of union purpose & form - workers active participants rather than passive consumers, • Instead of just solving problems, union seeks to empower workers to solve their problems thru union • Organizing activities, led by lead organizers who motivate activism & self-help among workers; • Education, research or communication activities; • Develop campaigns, alliances & use members to support external organizing

Organizing workers: what are unions doing? Some ideas

Organizing Strategies • TU resources limited - We cannot go out & organize each & every worker. SO, can we then think of a way to make workers come to us? • Need to go beyond collective bargaining – into social welfare services – - linking with govt schemes for providing access to workers for social welfare programmes - Using group insurance schemes to provide social protection - health care, life insurance - Organizing thru thrift, credit and social welfare services

Organizing Strategies • Leveraging power of the ‘organised’- Eg. Railway unions extending their reach to hawkers, coolies, contractors workers, etc • For MNCs and those companies with Export interests in OECD countries – companies that are susceptible to consumer power – build links with international TUs (GUFs), NGOs and consumer movement. • Role of international labour solidarity & International Framework Agreements • Organizing not at workplace but at workers living areas – role of self help groups

Organizing Migrant Workers Suggested Strategies • Advocate for universal labour rights – abolish distinctions for temporary workers (delinking workers rights from nationality/ citizenship) • Working at community level, Self-help groups – building leadership among migrants • Needs of Migrant workers? Set up Welfare & Service centres– health care & workers rights services – help lines • TU Education and Rights Awareness Activities

Organizing thru SHGs & Cooperatives relevant for informal economy workers, self employed and home based workers. builds workers own leadership and self reliance; brings in new activists into the labour movement, successfully used by the NGOs but not trade unions.

Organizing Strategies • Using Workers Capital to promote Union Rights and other labour standards – Labour Social Clause in the Investment Pattern - Need to think beyond Rate of Interest.

Organizing Strategies • Adopt & advocate policies that will apply to all workers and prevent further divisions of the workers in the labour market – that is, put all workers in one boat. • And – what else can TUs do ???

Group Work • Does your labour law or the constitution provide for Right to Organize? • Does the law provide for right to recognition of the union and right to collective bargaining? • What are the hurdles/difficulties in organizing in your country? • Give examples of how you organize in your country? • What are the reasons for young people not being keen to join the unions? • What services or benefits does the union membership bring to a member?

‘Organizing’ in the changing world of work