Sister V. Lakshmi, South Asia Sub-regional Secretary, interviewed two uniform young workers from army who took the opportunity participated on National Campaign Planning Workshop for the Health Sector Workers under the PSI FNV/SASK Gender and Health Project in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from 8-10 September 2008. The Federation of Public Employees Trade unions (FPEU) and Medical Employees Trade Union Federation (METUF) invited the uniform workers to the planning workers in order to get inputs from them.

Ms. Erdenechemeg. She is working with the Border Protection Force in the supply of army uniforms. She is 30 years old and is working for 11 years now. According to her they can form unions but there are some special provisions which are not suitable to form the trade unions. In her job she has equal role as men and did not find discrimination. However when she carry her children to the workplace she would wish that they have better child care facilities, housing, and other social securities. She loves her job but it would be good if the working conditions improve for them. She availed 120 days of maternity leave in her pregnancy. She is very confident that they will be able to form union and formally affiliated to the federation of public employees very soon.

Mr. Amaratuvshin. He is a Professional Doctor in the Border Protection force and working for the past one year in the hospital. He is 24 years old. He is working in the shift of 8.30 to 5.30 pm. He is married with no children now. He wanted to encourage all the employees to join the union so that the benefits can be achieved. He felt that the hospitals infrastructure to be updated, medicines and other supplies to improve so the working conditions also can improve for the workers. He heard about health workers migrating to other countries but he would not want to do that and continue to serve the Mongolian public health. Even though they get additional benefits along with their salary it would be nice if they have it corresponding to the cost of prices. He would wish to share the information of the other countries and their working conditions and working pattern, career training, and other packages. He is also confident that they will form the unions very soon.

For more information contact Sister Lakshmi: psisouthasia@airtelmail.in