Solidarity Autumn 2015

SOLIDARITY Better Work, Better World

The Newsletter of the Unions Aotearoa International Development Trust Issue Twelve, Autumn 2015

BETTER TOGETHER: EDUCATION FOR ALL THE FAMILY From the slums of Madurai to the hillside villages of Kodaikanal, Dalit and Tribal children are proudly teaching their parents how to write their own names in a remarkable new UnionAID project.

A total of 237 boys and girls have enrolled in evening classes at six education centres established by the Tamil Nadu Labour Union (TNLU) and generously funded by the New Zealand Education Institute (NZEI).

These children, whose parents belong to unions and cooperatives already established by UnionAID, often face a lack of resources at school and discrimination due to their caste.

Like all TNLU projects, this initiative has an inclusive approach, which starts from community needs. Feedback has been positive: no children have dropped out of school and the children themselves said they enjoyed attending classes.

Both children and parents are interested in higher education, which for many of these families means sacrificing an extra household income.

Visit http://unionaid.org.nz/what-we-do/dalit-workers-inindia/

The children are not only learning to read and write; they are drawing, writing poetry and stories, and taking trips to learn about the environment.

With indebtedness high in many of the households, the parents and children are also encouraged to make regular savings.

Parents have established credit unions while the children are each saving 10 Rupees a month.

Tamil Nadu children skipping

Child teaching parent

FIJIAN WORKERS TALK OF POVERTY WAGES UnionAID’s new project in Fiji is making good headway, with workers keen to participate despite some negative pressure from employers. Project Manager Kuini Lutua and her team have surveyed nearly 200 workers to find out what they know about their rights under Fiji’s Wage Regulated Orders (WRO) and to identify abuses of the orders and other concerns.

The survey information collected so far has highlighted a number of concerns for workers with low wages chief amongst them. Many workers rely on extra overtime wages to help make ends meet each week, however a number of those surveyed complained their employers refuse to pay the overtime wages legally required under the WRO. Even when the WRO is adhered to most garment factory workers stated their minimum wage of NZ$1.40/hr is not enough for their family to live on.

The project team will continue the survey over the coming months by arranging meetings in the squatter settlements that many of the workers live in and where workers are free from employer intimidation. Later in the year workshops will be run to educate workers about their rights under the WRO and the importance of collective action. A push to increase the WRO for some sectors is also planned once all the evidence from the survey is collected.

SAFER AT SEA? Conditions at sea for Myanmar seafarers are often dangerous , but our project partner, the Myanmar Maritime Workers Federation (MMWF) has taken a pragmatic approach and, among other things, have provided seafarers with strategies to work as safely as possible when equipment and resources on board offer inadequate protection.

Sixty six seafarers have attended the training to date and feedback has been extremely positive, with the vast majority agreeing or strongly agreeing that the training was relevant, helpful and well organised. Although some participants are still fearful that union involvement will affect their chances of promotion the union has gained dozens of new members. One satisfied participant, Phar Gyi, texted the President Tin Ko Ko Thet to say: “I feel that there are so many benefits after this training within just one week… I am sure that I have improved teamwork and organising skills.”

Fijian union member Eroni Rabuluku

NEW LOOK FOR UNIONAID After a successful first five years of existence UnionAID has refreshed its branding with new colours and a new logo. The new branding designed by volunteer Zenaida Beatson incorporates the culture and ‘earthy’ colours of the countries in which UnionAID is working. We hope you like the new look!

BECOME A KIWI SOLIDARITY DONOR - SUPPORT REAL CHANGE You can help vulnerable workers in developing countries in our region get a fairer deal by making a small monthly donation by direct debit by emailing admin@unionaid.org.nz with your contact details. We will then contact you and make the arrangements.

SIXTH GROUP OF YOUNG LEADERS FROM MYANMAR ARRIVES IN WELLINGTON Host families were out in force at Wellington airport to welcome our eight young community leaders who arrived to a beautiful sunny Wellington day to participate in the Myanmar Young Leaders Programme (MYLP). As in the past this group represents a range of ethnicities, from the poorest Chin state in the north west of Myanmar to the isolated southernmost

Dawei region, and others in between (Shan, Pa-O, Kayan, and Burman). All are actively involved in their communities, working with NGOs, covering disaster relief preparation, land mine advisory work, women’s empowerment; one is a journalist. After two weeks orientation to Victoria University and the city they are now immersed in their English language course.

MYLP students L-R Thu Rein, Frank, Aung Lwin, Gloria, Myat Kyaw. Front - Flora, Wutyi and Khun Khit San

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN MYANMAR Five 2014 alumni have been assisted by UnionAID to carry out small field work projects in Myanmar this year: these are Do No Harm training for staff from five NGOs in conflict areas in Kachin state (Jeff); civic and voter education in Chin state in preparation for the 2015 Myanmar elections (Ngun Khar); educating twenty secondary school boarders to develop an organic garden to provide produce for the school (Lu Lu); training to local youth leaders in democracy, human rights and the Rule of Law in Rakhine state (Ei Ei); English language and computer classes to provide better job opportunities for youth in Rakhine state (Hla Shwe Maung).

Chin farmers learn sustainable agriculture from Betty, a 2010 alumni

FUNDRAISING HIGHLIGHTS Fundraising efforts have got off to a good start in 2015 with successful events in Wellington and Christchurch. The inaugural Wellington interunion quiz had a good turnout of teams and raised $2000 for UnionAID. Congratulations to the EPMU team that took home the winner’s trophy.

On Waitangi Day a group of keen activists in Christchurch ran a BBQ stall and raised nearly $600 to go towards UnionAID projects. Plans are underway for May Day (May 1st) fundraising events in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch. Further details will be posted on Facebook.

MYANMAR RAILWAY WORKERS GAIN TRACTION

YES

I want to become a Kiwi Solidarity donor Name

Under a new project, union organising activities will be extended to all parts of the railway system in Myanmar, from Kachin State in the north to Mon State in the South.

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A target of 2000 new members over the 2015 year has been set by the recently formed Myanmar Railway Workers Federation, who will provide rank and file trade union education, as well as organising skills for union leaders.

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There is an interest in a specific health and safety training to be developed with assistance from the Rail and Maritime Transport Union in NZ.

Please contact me and sign me up as a Kiwi Solidarity donor to make a monthly donation.

This will build on a recently completed two year UnionAID project with the Federation of Trade Unions Myanmar, led by Min Lwin, which has brought the current membership to 1600 members in twelve registered basic labour organizations (unions).

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Your regular donations mean that UnionAID can guarantee funding to our projects. It only takes a small amount each month to make a real difference to people’s lives. Sign up for monthly donations now. Return the coupon to: UnionAID P O Box 6689 Wellington or email the details above to: admin@unionaid.org.nz

Yangon Circular Railway

REFUGEES FROM MAE LAR CAMP TO GET SKILLS TRAINING In a surprise move, refugees remaining in camps on the Thai-Myanmar border are now to be permitted to go into Mae Sot to get training or work.

Our project partner, Htwe Nge from the Federation of Trades Union Myanmar (FTUM) says about fifty refugees will attend the UnionAID funded vocational training centre to learn industrial sewing skills which will

enable them to find jobs, either in factories in Thailand, or in Myanmar if they return home.

These women will complement the estimated 150 migrant workers who will pass through the centre this project year, bringing trainee numbers, over the four years of the project, to well over 1000. All have easily found factory work, either on the border or in Bangkok.

BECOME A KIWI SOLIDARITY DONOR - SUPPORT REAL CHANGE You can help vulnerable workers in developing countries in our region get a fairer deal by making a small monthly donation by direct debit by emailing admin@unionaid.org.nz with your contact details. We will then contact you and make the arrangements.