AMRC's 30th Anniversary- Labour Resurgence Under Globalisation.

AMRC celebrated its 30^th year of existence and service supporting the labour movement in the Asian region. While many achievements have been made over these 30 years, we know it is not a time for resting on laurels. Labour struggles in all parts of the world are beset by the challenges of neoliberal policies, globalization and informalisation. Labour has increasingly taken on the nature of a tradeable and mobile commodity. The strength of trade unions has been weakened by government laws, corporate financial might, political repression and harassment. Workers work ever longer hours and struggle against all odds to make ends meet and lead a dignified life. We are at a time when the losses of health, limbs and lives of workers at the workplace are regarded as mere statistics and the workers who suffer these losses are easily replaced by others in need of employment. Against all odds, we continue to stand steadfastly with labour activists to build a strong and independent labour movement.

As we begin our fourth decade, we invited our partners, comrades and friends, to join us in reflecting on our past role in supporting Asian labour. At the same time, in a period when the sway of neoliberal policies among Asian governments and companies seems to be at its peak, we want to take this opportunity to share among ourselves the areas of achievement, of innovation and of hope; and to thus consolidate worker solidarity. Hence we had organized this conference which both celebrates AMRC’s history and addresses the theme of Labour Resurgence Under Globalization.

The Conference was held in Hong Kong on the 27-28 August, 2007.

The programme during the Conference included:

Keynote Speeches regarding the global and the Asian labour movements
Panel Sessions regarding:

Contemporary Issues in the Asian Labour Movement
Informalization of Labour and New (Alternative) Ways of Organizing
Triangle Solidarity and North-South collaboration
Occupational Safety and Health in Asia

The following papers and powerpoint presentations that were presented at the conference are attached for your reference.

Opening Remarks
Apo Leong, Director, AMRC

Keynote Speeches

· Peter Waterman, Researcher/Activist on Global Solidarity (Netherlands)

· Sujata Gothoskar, grassroots and women’s activist/IUF Asia-Pacific (India)

· Yang Kyung-kyu (Former president of Korean Federation of Public Services and Transportation Workers’ Unions) (Korea)

Panel Discussion 1

Theme: Contemporary Issues in the Asian Labour Movement

Papers:

· Elizabeth Tang, Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU) (Hong Kong)

· Ashim Roy, National Trade Union Initiative (India)

· Marty Hart-Landsberg, Dept of Economics, Lewis & ClarkCollege (USA)

· Voravidh Charoenloet, ChiangMaiUniversity (Thailand)

· Chang Kai, RenminUniversity (China)

Panel Discussion 2
Theme: Informalization of Labour and New (Alternative) Ways of Organizing

Papers:

· Lucia Victor Jayaseelan, Committee of Asian Women (Thailand)

· Wu Meilin, Hong Kong Women Workers Association (HKWWA) (Hong Kong)

· Yang Li, Northeastern PolytechnicUniversity (China)

· Rosalinda Ofreneo, SE Asia Homenet (Philippines)

· Wulan Dari, Asian Labour Exchange (Thailand)

Panel Discussion 3
Theme: Triangle Solidarity; North-South Collaboration in the Asian Labour Movement
Papers:

· Garrett Brown, Maquiladora Health & Safety Support Network (USA)

· Junya Yimprasert (Lek), Thai Labour Campaign (Thailand)

· J. John, Centre for Education and Communication (India)

· Monina Wong, Labour Action China (Hong Kong)

· Irene Xavier, Transnationals Information Exchange-Asia (TIE-Asia) (Malaysia)

Panel Discussion 4

Theme: Occupational Safety and Health in Asia

Papers:

Chang Kam Hong, Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims (ARIAV) (HK)
Melody Kemp, OSH specialist/labour activist (Australia/Laos)
Jagdish Patel, Peoples Training and Research Centre & Coordinator, ANROAV (India)
Sugio Furuya, Japan Occupational Health & SafetyResourceCenter (Japan)
Amanda Hawes, WORKSAFE (USA)
Xiao Ying, Chongqing Self-help Centre (China)
Somboon Sikhamdokkae, Work- and Environment-Related Patients’ Network Thailand (WEPT) (Thailand)

Panel Discussion 5
Theme: Labour and Trade Unions in Transition Economies in Asia
Papers

Van Thi Thu Ha, Vietnam expert (Vietnam)
Xu Xiaohong, Zhejiang Trade Union School (China)

Closing Summary

Rapporteur: J. John, Centre for Education and Communication