youth_meetingsa.jpgEleven youth representatives of the five affiliated unions in South met in Kathmandu, Nepal on 26th March 2009. Brother Adil Shariff, the South Asia Young Workers Network Coordinator chaired the meting said that it was a good forum to share knowledge and experience strengthening platform to prove the young people’s value. The PSI Asia Pacific Regional Secretary, Brother Katsuhiko Sato, was attended the meeting and highlighted some points concerning the global financial crisis and the PSI policy of investing in social infrastructure, social safety net, strengthening public services to recover the economic depression. He elaborated on encouraging young workers to be active and enthusiastic in the trade union movement that PSI’s adopted Global Policy and Strategic Objectives ensuring 30% quota giving to young workers in all PSI education programme. The Resolution No. 20 “Succession Planning Through Intensified and Meaningful Involvement of Young Workers” approved by the EB which would provide greater participation to the young people, therefore in 2010 an international young workers’ forum be organised and thereafter be held annually.

The youth representatives highlighted the country report activities done by the unions and its development. Sis. Kaushalya Sanketha L.P (Srilanka) presented a report on youth mentoring programme from 6 to 9 December 2008 in Faridabad, Haryana, India. The network recommended for a youth structure in the union level and also requested the NCC to have the same coordinators for continuity. DECENT WORK YOUTH was selected as the theme activity for 2009-2010, and recommended two points and its activities:

Points

Activities
  1. The youth network requests psi to assist them to organise the contractual/outsourced workers in trade unions and fight for their rights
  2. The youth network requests the psi to support conducting workplace surveys/studies by the youth network in identifying the working conditions

 

·               Continue the  mentoring programmes in technical issues (project preparation, surveys, newsletter etc, website) – sub regional level;

·               National level campaigns on (23 June Public Services Day, 12 August International Youth Day) national level

·               Continue reporting campaigns, policies  at local level  on the above issues

 

Brother Adil Shariff made a presentation on the Idea for Action for the sub-regional young workers network 2009-2012.Click here

The participants identified the following concerns in discussion during the meeting:

• Need to increase the youth coordinators at the union, country and sub regional level.
• The image of the union has to be positive if young workers especially young women are to join unions.
• Budget allocation by the unions for youth activities.
• Education & Training activities for increasing capacity of youth.
• Priority to have a database of young workers in the workplace.
• Raising social issues by the trade unions to encourage youth to join the unions
• Need for attitudinal change among union members and leaders.
• Increasing the recruitment of workers in public services.
• Youth to take lead to work on achieving the MDGs and poverty eradication.

The meeting concluded and brought following recommendations to the SASRAC (South Asia Sub-regional Advisory Committee) Meeting:

 

  • To elect the young leaders from each country in this region
  • Develop youth contact directory and other trade union information.
  • Provide training and support for elected youth representatives
  • Comprehensive youth policy should be drawn up and implemented. PSI education and training program for youth should be implemented by youth committee,
  • Adequate resources should be provided to the youth committee to hold National campaign and workshops
  • To hold recruitment campaign to join the union with attractive materials.

Full report click here

For more information, please contact Adil Shariff, SA Young Workers Network Coordinator: adilshariff_2003@yahoo.com