Solidarity Spring 2015

SOLIDARITY Better Work, Better World

The Newsletter of the Unions Aotearoa International Development Trust Issue Thirteen, Spring 2015

GROWING A GARDEN AND FEEDING A SCHOOL

In Myanmar’s eastern Kachin State a lush garden has sprung up from the bare earth thanks to a project run by Lu Lu, a 2014 Myanmar Young Leaders Programme (MYLP) alumna. Lu Lu selected a boarding school for children whose families have been displaced by fighting between ethnic Kachin and the Myanmar army.

Over twenty high school children learnt about crop rotation, how to make natural fertilisers and grow organic vegetables. From their efforts they are providing a sustainable source of healthy food for the 318 pupils and 12 teachers in the school.

FROM THIS...

TO THIS!

Child teaching parent

THIRTY ALUMNI ATTEND OUR FIRST CONFERENCE IN YANGON From all over Myanmar thirty young men and women arrived in Yangon in September for the first UnionAID Myanmar Young Leaders Programme alumni conference.

The purpose of the conference was to provide ongoing learning, support and networking opportunities for the programme alumni.

The three days included oral and poster presentations by fifteen students about their work, who made strong links to their time in New Zealand. There were workshops on sustainable development by two local economists and a full day workshop by Igor Blaževič on the choices for a democratic and federal state. Ross Wilson, UnionAID Chair, ran a Rule of Law workshop with Kyi Kyi Linn, an experienced rule of law trainer. Survey feedback from the conference was overwhelmingly positive with all respondents saying they hope to attend again next year.

SACHA INCHI: A NEW CROP DECENT WORK FOR MYANMAR FARMERS – KEY TO Struggling farmers SUSTAINABLE from the Bago area will learn to grow DEVELOPMENT a type of mountain peanut from South America called sacha inchi. Marketed as a superfood, sacha inchi is said to offer a variety of health benefits, with its oil a rich source of Vitamin E and a sustainable form of omega-3 fatty acids. The local farmers union has provided land for this new venture and UnionAID is funding the buildings and training each year for 150 farmers in this crop and other agricultural techniques.

In addition to the agricultural training, farmers will be taught about labour rights and land rights, important knowledge in Myanmar as foreign investment rapidly increases. They will also learn the principles of cooperative farming and as the project progresses it hoped the farmers will be able to establish their own small scale co-operatives.

After three years of intensive negotiations and dialogue bringing together not only governments, civil society but also millions of ordinary people around the world, UN member states have unanimously agreed what UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has described as the “most inclusive development agenda the world has ever seen”.

The 2030 Agenda for sustainable development puts people and planet at its centre and gives the international community the impetus it needs to work together to tackle the formidable challenges confronting humanity, including those in the world of work.

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.

YEAR 1 COUNTDOWN: FINDINGS FROM OUR TAMIL NADU LABOUR UNION (TNLU) PROJECT domestic workers trained

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Traditionally underpaid and often exploited, domestic workers in Madurai city have learnt how to use modern technology like washing machines, microwaves and food mixers.

Through the TNLU training they now understand that they are entitled to set hours of work, leave, and medical benefits and are also currently engaged in the struggle for a living wage.

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fish vendors form a cooperative Fish is no longer wasted at the end of the fish vendor’s day. Experts from the Fisheries Department have given advice on techniques for drying fish or turning it into hot snacks at the end of the day. Over 110 fish vendors have now come together to form a cooperative and, after TNLU business training, members have now framed a constitution and elected a board.

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Maria Anadhai of Fish Venders’ Co-op

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Vegetable vendors have recently established ten small shops in Madurai city, assisted by the TNLU. This not only allows direct deliveries from growers but unsold vegetables can be stored for sale the next day. Vendors have been granted police licenses and now sell to the public without obstruction from the authorities.

girls get school fees and books

Five girls have been supported in their education thanks to a General Fund established by project participants. Since the start of the project a year ago, over 170 TNLU members now make monthly savings of Rs 100 (NZ$2.2) for emergencies and to help with their children’s education.

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shops for vegetable vendors

seed banks established

Members of the both the vegetable and flower growers cooperatives have learnt to collect and preserve their own seeds, using natural manure and pest control methods and by avoiding the middle men, make significant savings.

MASTERS DEGREE FOR 2011 MYLP ALUMNI Congratulations to Ko Ko Si Thu who has recently completed his Masters in Development Studies at Victoria University after submitting his thesis: Myth and Reality in Irregular Migration from Myanmar.

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

YES

I want to become a Kiwi Solidarity donor

We acknowledge with continuing sadness the death of Peter Conway in June. Peter was a foundation Trustee and had a deep commitment to international development work which was also reflected in his role as Chair of Oxfam New Zealand.

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We will honour Peter and his work with an annual public lecture on international development, economic and union issues, and Helen Clark has agreed to deliver the first Peter Conway Memorial Lecture early next year.

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Another foundation Trustee and UnionAID stalwart Helen Kelly also stepped down this year and I would also like to acknowledge her remarkable leadership and commitment to our international work. CTU Secretary Sam Huggard has joined us to retain that important link and longtime UnionAID activist Nanette Cormack has also been appointed a Trustee on the nomination of our Action Committee.

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

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With another year coming to an end it is timely to once again acknowledge the huge contribution of volunteers and Solidarity donors. UnionAID is heavily reliant on volunteers from the core group of our Action Committee to regional activists, particularly in Christchurch, Palmerston North and Hamilton.

Kiwi Solidarity donors’ monthly donations are our life blood and, on behalf of the Trustees I would like to thank you Solidarity donors for this support, it truly is appreciated.

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:

Ross Wilson

admin@unionaid.org.nz

FIJIAN WORKERS TACKLE LOW WAGES UnionAID’s recently completed pilot project in Fiji is starting to unlock real change for hundreds of low paid garment and manufacturing workers as they find their voice again.

The project’s early survey found few workers were aware of their rights and shockingly many were being paid less than the minimum wage, denied overtime pay or access to sick leave. Eager to learn more, hundreds of workers attended the education workshops run by project leader Kuini Lutua in their communities. These covered labour rights, the minimum wage, the role of trade unions and

included role plays to show how issues can be raised with employers or collective action taken.

Since the survey and workshops a number of large employers have lifted their wages to at or slightly above the legal minimum and workers in one factory have joined the union and are negotiating their first collective agreement. A new two year project funded by UnionAID will seek to build on this with an aim to lift wages across the garment sector and target other industries with poor conditions such as retail, construction and security.

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.