3 November, 2008
Twenty-Five trade union representatives from Japan, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam organising rubber workers’ met in Jakarta, Indonesia, 27 October, and formed the ICEM Asia-Pacific Rubber Unions’ Network. Sponsored by the Friedrich Ebert Siftung, a German labour-supportive foundation, and hosted by the ICEM affiliate, Chemical, Mining, and Energy Workers’ Union (FSP KEP), the meeting was also attended by Japanese ICEM-JAF, and by staff of the ICEM Secretariat.
“Under conditions of the current economic crisis throughout the world and specific difficulties in the Asia-Pacific Region,” said FSP KEP President D. Pataobong Sjaiful, in opening the conference, “the ICEM initiative of networking unions in the rubber industry is very vital. We need this togetherness to better defend rights of our members who work in severe conditions.”
The meeting saw a presentation by ICEM Chemicals and Rubber Officer Kemal Özkan on major developments and challenges in the global rubber industry. Questionnaires were distributed prior to the meeting, so country reports given had a firm base for discussion over the situations unions face in the various countries.
The meeting also focused on ICEM’s global and regional company networks, as well as Global Framework Agreements. Using global agreements as tools in organising was thoroughly discussed, while company networks were considered to be crucial instruments to organise solidarity and the exchange of information.
The topic of networks was also emphasized in regards to experience on other topics, such as collective bargaining, health and safety, employment, and general work conditions.
Elected to chair the newly-founded Asia-Pacific Rubber Workers’ Network was Toshiaki Hojo, President of the Japanese Rubber Workers’ Union Confederation (GOMU-RENGO). The meeting also adopted an action plan of follow-up activities, which includes the regular circulation of information and targeting rising multinational companies such as Korean-based Hankook and Kumho, and Apollo from India.
Contract and Agency Labour was also a key topic discussed since its use has spiraled upward in the rubber industry of Asia. Delegates decided to further their work on this challenging issue that faces global labour.