For last one year, I have been active writing blog in bahasa Indonesia. Blog about unionism that based on my experiences work closely with trade union movement in Indonesia particularly public sector unions.

Thank to the new media that provide access for me to create free web (blog) and posting the issues or topics. It is kind of sharing knowledge and skills to my fellow unionists. As I aware that not much references about unionism in our languages. Please feel free to explore and check it out to my blog UNIONISM

Public Services International Asia Pacific Regional Organisation, together with the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) and Union Network International (UNI), launched a campaign on the International Solidarity Levy. The campaign launch was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 11-12 August. Forty-three participants from twelve countries represented affiliated unions of PSI, BWI and UNI, and ITUC AP, SASK and LO-Norway. The campaign was co-sponsored by FES Indonesia office.

The idea of an international solidarity levy was first proposed by then French President Jacques Chirac at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in January 2005. The proposal was to raise additional funding of 50 billion dollars to support developing countries through an international currency transaction tax, fighting tax evasion, taxation on air and maritime transport fuels and an air ticket levy. Originally, international solidarity levies were inspired by the proposal of Professor James Tobin in 1972 on currency transaction tax. He suggested a new system for international currency stability, and proposed that such a system include an international charge on foreign-exchange transactions. For almost 20 years his proposal did not receive serious attention, but in 1994, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) proposed the use of revenue from a Tobin tax for the eradication of poverty in developing countries. Click here to read full article

Read my new article on Young people, the financial crisis and trade unions

The article wrote by Mark Scott published at Spiegel Online International highlighted that “with one in five Gen Yers unable to find work, a new “lost generation” may be in the making in Europe“.

The current global economic crisis hit people around the world, with massive layoff, not only in developing countries but also in developed countries. Young people hard hit by this crisis, they were 2.8 times as likely to be unemployed that adults at the global level.

Paradox situation that well-educated youth also difficult to find jobs, decent jobs! Read the experience of Jerome Delorme, 23-year-old has a master’s degree in European studies from the prestigious Sciences Po university in Grenoble - speaks fluent English, and has already had several high-profile internships. But in three months of looking for work, Delorme has been able to land only another internship, at a nonprofit organization. “The crisis has made getting a real job very difficult,”

o learn more, click here

Read also this link: Recession Robs Spain’s Youth of Jobs and Hope

Twenty seven selected young unionists from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand were actively participated in attractive and interactive training workshop on leadership and capacity building. The training workshop was held in Puncak, West Java, Indonesia from 18 to 22 July 2009. Sharing, learning and active participation were the theme to reflect diversities of languages, cultures and experiences.

The intensive five days training workshop were incorporated of balanced program which involved social, physical and mental activities at the training camp in Lembah Hijau Resort Puncak, West Java, Indonesia.

The training workshop was designed to develop creative thinking, leadership skills, broaden perspectives and strengthen the young workers network in South East Asia. 

Outbound activity: the program included outdoor activity that challenge the participants physically exercise. The outdoor activity was designed to discover the personal skills in order to develop team building and solidarity. This program offered a variety of activities ranging from individual to team challenges to address barriers on achievements that help build self-confidence and self-esteem. The program hoped to infuse the participants roles as productive and supportive young people within their unions and in PSI. The program allowed the participants to expand personal boundaries on the challenges activities to work cohesively as a team, PSI team.

Culture Nite. We were celebrated diversity with International Cultural Nite. Each participant took time to celebrate diversity of cultures from six countries with their own unique customs and performances to represent their respective countries of Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia.

Broaden perspectives and develop strategies for actions. Participants learn one another and with the resource persons to address today challenges facing public services and public sector unions on youth employment issues and concerns. Indah Budiarti, PSI AP Organizing and Communication Coordinator, shared today global - regional and countries outlook on increasing youth unemployment and its concerns due to global financial crisis. It is time to reflection and re-think of new strategies and actions to strengthen the position of young workers to address youth employment issues and concerns. Chidi King, PSI Equality and Rights Officer, given presentation on PSI position on young workers that both structure and policy, Public Services International has given support to the young workers to play an important role in order to strengthen their voices in the unions and to bring youth closer together. Public Services International changed its procedures and policies to give young workers representative position on its executive committee and committed to engage young workers in all aspects of their work by implement 30% quota in all education programmes and activities. Eross Ocampo, SEA Youth Network Coordinator, given his excellent and interactive presentations on enhancement of leadership skills and values alignment of young workers; his presentations end with motivational and inspirational movie of Secret: “The secret, the book has famous and popular that transform into movie, the story to reveal the most powerful law in the universe. The Secret reveals the natural law that is governing all lives”. Tan Sze Wei, SEA Youth Network Coordinator and APYN Coordinator has shared her presentation on climate change and young workers “union responses and its actions”

SEA Youth Network Action Program. Katherine Loh, PSI SEA Sub-regional Secretary, facilitated the participants to work out on SEA Youth Network Action Program: on how to address the interests and concern of today challenges toward young workers, on how to promote and increase participation of young workers in the trade union movement, on how to bring and implement youth mainstreaming and greater representation of young people particularly in their respective unions.

It was not just simply activity but activity that will help the participants from the affiliated union of PSI to develop learning skills and capabilities to strengthen their capacity building and for their unions. The participants had enjoyed and learn a lot on this training workshop and bring to their own union and country recommendation of the network action program to be implemented. Indeed, it was a successful program that we could identify new leaders, to further develop and strengthen the network and improve the young workers representatives’ capacity.

If you need resourse person presentations and more information about this training workshop, please do contact Ms. Indah Budiarti

Check the poster at: http://youth.ituc-csi.org/ or contact: Philippe Gousenbourger: Philippe.Gousenbourger@ituc-csi.org

Many young people to work in summer jobs lasting approximately six weeks. It is going to allow them the opportunity to earn extra cash during the summer months. If it is their first job, they can learn work skills and get a head start on their futures through summer employment opportunities.

Still, young people, especially those new to the workplace, will encounter unfamiliar from the jobs they will be doing and from the working environment. Linn Elisabeth Hemmingsen, Chair of the Fagforbundet Youth, said that many young people is working for summers jobs but they are often in the dark about their rights as employees, many of them are being taken advantage of by their employers.

Summer Patrol (Sommerpatrulje) is setting up by the LO (The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions) to ensure that law and regulation are followed and workers do not get exploitation of their rights in the workplaces.

Hundreds of Fagforbundet Youth officers and volunteers are taking part for this summer patrol to make sure the employers treat young people well at workplaces. They will also help young people understand their rights and entitlements at work, Linn said again on her explanation on the participation of Fagforbundet Youth for this year summer patrol.

The summer patrol is scheduling from 22 June to 3 August 2009.

For more information, please click here

Public Services International Japan Council (PSI-JC) and Union Network International Japan Council (UNI-JC) organised a joint workshop on 25th June in Tokyo, Japan.

In this workshop, both global unions and their affiliates discussed and examined the current situation of international migration of Filipino nurses and care workers in Japan. Japan is badly in need of nurses, assistant nurses and care workers to work in health facilities. Unfavorable working conditions and low wages have resulted in a shortage of Japanese workers in the heath facilities. Japan has therefore allowed foreign nurses and care workers into their health care system. Indonesia and Philippines have signed agreements with Japan allowing their qualified nurses and care workers to work in Japan. One of the requirements is that they should study the Japanese language and pass the national licensure examinations to meet the qualifications needed to work in the Japanese Health Care System. Read more, click here

On 29 June, PSI published a statement condemning the coup d'état by the Honduras army against President José Manuel Zelaya. PSI and its affiliates hope that this grave political and social crisis facing the Honduran people will quickly return to constitutional rule and that democracy and dialogue prevail as a tool for the implementation of peace and social justice for all Honduran citizens. Click here for the statement

The Australian Parliament has just released a major report on its relations with ASEAN based on a major enquiry into Australia’s relationships with ASEAN, covering many issues including human rights issues. PSI affiliates were represented at the enquiry by David Carey from the CPSU-SPSF and Paul Slape from the ASU who compiled the submission and evidence, and appeared in person as witnesses before the Committee. Their submission centred on the need for a connection between Australian financial and trade relations with ASEAN countries and their commitment to human rights and labour rights. They agreed that PSI should not separate its commitment to human rights from trading and financial relations and, in fact, should insist upon those rights being observed being contingent on trading agreements and financial assistance. Read more click here