Pharmaceutical unions in Asia Pacific unite to build collective power

Asia Pacific’s pharmaceutical market is expected grow six to eight per cent by 2030 due to expanding healthcare infrastructure and growing domestic manufacturing facilities. The region also holds the largest chemical market share of 61.8 percent of world chemical sales.

High energy prices and shifting production locations, vulnerabilities in supply chains during the Covid-19 pandemic, a shortage of skilled professionals, a high prevalence of counterfeit drugs, geopolitical tensions and integration of big data are some of the challenges faced.

Participants unanimously agreed that unions must focus their efforts on organizing to build collective power. They called for an inclusive organizing strategy to increase white collar, women and youth membership. Gender equality should also be mainstreamed at all levels of union structures.

Sector chair Masato Shinohara said:

“Solidarity and collective action are important for organizing the pharmaceutical industry. By working together, we can strengthen the collective power of workers. Through IndustriALL, we can strengthen our rank-and-file members, take on the challenges and achieve common goals.”

The unionists also debated how to strengthen existing pharmaceutical trade union networks, upskilling in the event of automation, using GFA as leverage in negotiating collective agreements, and implementing good safety and health practices.
USW local 12075 president, Kent Holsing shared experiences and practices in building trade union networks in multinational companies, like Dow Du Pont.

The network committed to work on the following companies and topics:

• Takeda
• Sanofi
• Haleon
• Essilor Luxottica (Organise Thailand Rayong site)
• AkzoNobel
• Mane Fragrances
• BASF, Dow Du Pont, Linde, Unilever
• Permanent solidarity with Indonesian unions in their struggle for Omnibus Law improvements
• Pharmaceutical trade union network activity

Tom Grinter, IndustriALL director of chemicals and pharmaceuticals, said:

“Almost half of the global chemical and pharmaceuticals industry is in Asia-Pacific, and around 70 per cent of all the sector’s workers are in this region. Our sector has an ambitious plan of action in the region, empowering unions through networks in the different parts of the industry and in the big companies. 2025 will be an important year for supporting unions in this region in their organizing and campaigning efforts in the sector.”

The EssilorLuxxotica trade union network meeting and the Indonesian pulp and paper union network meeting were held back-to-back on 2-5 December.