FES Philippines hosts ITUC Asia Pacific Regional Meet

This time Sharan Burrow has asked for updates from the last meeting they had in Kuala Lumpur, just last February 2016. The frequent meetings they are having are part of ITUC’s “strategy to mainstream their frontline campaign”, she said.

ITUC has been dwelling on key labor-related issues including women’s role in unions, green jobs, and others. These core strategies are also part of FES Phil’s programs, joining ITUC’s primary mission in the promotion and defence of workers’ rights and interests, through international cooperation between trade unions, global campaigning and advocacy within the major global institutions.

The Philippine meeting held last May 25 was a show of commitment of Burrow in making members of ITUC in Asia commit as well to their frontline campaigns. Attendees include unions from Korea, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

For the Filipino delegation, Ms. Joanna Bernice “Nice” Coronacion from SENTRO has reported several “successes and challenges of organising in the Philippines especially with the onset of the new government”. FES Phil supported organizations like the Federation of Free Workers (FFW), SENTRO, Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) and IndustriALL Philippines which sent delegates in this Regional Supply Chain Meeting. By the end of the last session, ITUC also conducted an organising course, as a refresher for the different union leaders present during the event.

Also present during the 3-day event were ITUC officials, Ms. Carol Beaumont, Mr. Ben Crowe, Ms. Gemma Swart and from ITUC Asia Pacific, Mr. Patuan Samosir.

The event concluded with new organising and campaign plans for the participating unions in Asia Pacific.

ITUC is a confederation of different unions globally. It has regional organisations in the Asia Pacific, Africa, and America. It works closely with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and with several other UN Specialised Agencies. ###