South East Asia Sub-region Young Workers Network Meeting was held in Singapore on 12th March 2009. It was the first official meeting after last year the South East Asia Advisory Committee agreed to support the creation of youth network in this sub-region. Nine youth representative represented five countries affiliated to PSI actively discussed during the meeting. In the country report highlighted the common issues facing by the affiliates in this sub-region: financial crisis cause to rising unemployment, underemployment, low youth participation in trade union, and contractualisation of jobs.

 The youth network is appreciative of the EB Resolution No. 20 “Succession Planning Through Intensified and Meaningful Involvement of Young Workers”  which would provide greater participation to the young people and anticipate that

• PSI must provide adequate resources to execute this resolution
• immediate action be taken to facilitate involvement and participation of sub-regions’ young workers representatives at all constitutional meetings: sub-regional, regional and executive board meetings
• within three years (in 2010) an international young workers’ forum be organised and thereafter be held annually

Regarding the International Young Workers’ Forum in 2010, the South East Asia Young Workers Network proposed four themes: Awareness, Engagement and Action, Decent Work, Decent Life for Young Workers, Organizing Young Workers, Today’s Youth, Tomorrow’s Leader. However, this sub-region youth network want to take the opportunity to participate and contribute on the important event of international forum for the young unionists/leaders of the public sector union world-wide.

The SEA Young Workers Network agreed to bring the following recommendations to be considered and supported by South East Asia Advisory Committee (SEASRAC):

• PSI to implement the 30% quota of young worker’s representative in all PSI activities
• To sponsor SEA Youth Network Meeting on an annual basis prior to the SEASRAC Meeting
• Representation of young workers from the SEA to the 2010 International Young Worker’s Conference in relation to EB Resolution No. 20
• Sub-regional youth workshop 2009 on Capacity Building
  Working towards institutionalizing the youth network (regional, sub-regional and international Level)

More information, please contact: indah.budiarti@world-psi.org