UnionAID
Workers in New Zealand helping workers overseas
May Day 2009 sees the launch of a new international aid organisation, UnionAID, with the CTU calling on all union members to consider making a donation.
UnionAID is the only New Zealand overseas aid agency that places workers’ rights at the centre of its work.
We all know the benefits of our union work. UnionAid will help vulnerable workers in developing countries in our region to get a fairer deal.
Its success is dependent upon financial support from union members in New Zealand for your fellow workers in poorer countries in our region.
Unions have a long tradition of international solidarity
Providing funds for education and training work is a modern way of expressing that solidarity.
As well as helping workers improve their wages and conditions this work also limits the employer advantage of exploiting workers and competing unfairly in a globalised world.
UnionAid, with donations by New Zealand union members, has already established successful programmes with local union partners:
Dalit Workers in India
The Tamil Nadu Labour Union in South India organises dalit (untouchable) men and women, who are employed in poorly paid jobs such as scavengers, sweepers, quarry workers, and graveyard workers. Traditionally these groups have not been organised and they are highly vulnerable to exploitation. Your support helps provide them with training and education on labour and human rights and gender equality. Hundreds of local leaders have been trained and union membership has built to more than 30,000. Collective action has achieved respect for workers as well as tangible benefits.
Burmese Migrant Workers in Thailand
This CTU project supports the Federation of Trade Unions of Burma (FTUB) to provide training and support for Burmese migrant workers in Mae Sot on the Burma-Thailand border. The FTUB was formed by Burmese workers, who with their families , have fled the military regime in Burma by crossing the border into Thailand. Learning about local labour rights and how to organise gives the workers a chance to move beyond poverty and become self-reliant in their dealings with local employers.
Other Projects Planned -
The UnionAID 2010 Strategic Plan aims to work with other agencies (such as the Australian Council of Trade Unions Aid Agency APHEDA) and local partners to develop other projects in our Asia – Pacific
Planning has already begun on options which include:
• A training programme for women leaders of Burmese migrant workers on the Thai border
• A work skills training programme for Agent Orange disabled youth in Vietnam.
• Occupational safety and health training in Vietnam and Lao
• A Joint Pacific programme with the ACTU and SPOCTU (South Pacific Council of Trade Unions).
• A capacity building project for workers in an export processing zone in Sri Lanka.
• Trade union development and capacity building in Timor-Leste.
How much will help?
In developing countries your donation goes a long way. Every dollar donated will help workers lift their families out of poverty through training and education projects.
The more you give the more we can do.
Please make a donation by cash or cheque to UnionAID, P O Box 6645 Wellington or make a $30 phone donation (added to your phone bill) by ringing 0900 UNAID – 0900 86243 You can also sign up to our Kiwi Solidarity Donor programme and make a regular monthly donation. The CTU is asking all unions and Unions Local to sign up Kiwi Solidarity Donors as a May Day activity.
All Kiwi Solidarity Donors signed up during the first 3 months from 1 May 2009 will be recorded for history as Foundation Donors.