International Workshop on “Changing World and Developing Trade Union Rights: Effective Trade Unionism”

International Workshop on "Changing World and Developing Trade Union Rights: Effective Trade Unionism" organized in cooperation with MEMUR-SEN, Malaysian Trade Union Confederation, ITUC-Asia Pacific, The Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) with the participation of 60 trade unionist from 24 labour movement from 16 countries in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 8-10 November 2019.

On the occasion of opening session, President of Memur-Sen Ali Yalçın, Organization and Project Director of ITUC- Asia Pacific, Mr. Patuan Samosir, President of MTUC, Mr. Abdulhalim Mansor and Secretary General of MTUC, Mr. J Solomon delivered their opening remarks.

“As a human being, as a worker, as pioneers of the labour struggle, I strongly believe in that if we look and stand together for concrete actions, for appropriate solutions, our tears, our pains will be disappeared and at the end, we may establish a new world order as well as decent working life for all.”said Yalçın.“We want to live in a world where those who worry about the melting glaciers in Antarctica may fell the same feelings and pains for those who are suffering and exploited in Africa, Asia and Europe. We want to live in a world where we all equally share the opportunities the world offers us. We want to live in such a world where those who supply arms to terrorist organizations for their proxy wars and mighty appetite may at least once be sensitive to the nations seeking clean water, bread, and works to survive. This is precisely what trade unionism is.” also Yalçın said.

After opening remarks, International Workshop on "Changing World and Developing Trade Union Rights: Effective Trade Unionism" continued with the 1st panel discussion under the theme of "World's New Order Quest". Vice President of Memur-Sen, Mr.Mehmet Emin ESEN is among the panellists.

1st Session: World's New Order Quest

Moderator: Prof. Nagiah Ramasamy – Fomer Head Management Faculty – Sunway University

Mr. Mehmet Emin ESEN, Vice President, Memur-Sen, Turkey
Mr. Djufnie ASHARY, Vice President, KSPI-CITU, Indonesia
Mr. Majid FIROUZABADI YAZD, Head of International Relations, CIWR, Iran
Mr. Tuan Syed Shahir Syed Muhamud, Former President, MTUC, Malaysia
Mr. Azlan Awang PhD, Senior Lecturer University Petronas, Malaysia 

“42 people hold as much wealth as the 3.7 billion who make up the poorest half of the world’s population. Also, the 10 richest countries income is 77 times higher than the 10 poorest countries. As this enormous global injustice and unfair distribution of income bring with it a significant potential for conflict, they also cause other social problems such as poverty, hunger etc.”said Esen.

“If we want to fight injustices in the world, we have the responsibility to make the masses aware of that their rights are usurped by the legal order itself and diverted to their own interests. Therefore, we need to create a model based on the principles of democracy, equality for all and for every country, whether small or large, and one which strive to fight unemployment, social exclusion, racism and xenophobia.” also Esen said.

International Workshop on "Changing World and Developing Trade Union Rights: Effective Trade Unionism" continued with the 2nd panel discussion under the theme of "Trade Unionism and Diplomacy".

2nd Session: Trade Unionism and Diplomacy

Moderator: Mr. Osman TİMURTAŞ, Head of International Relations, Memur-Sen, Turkey
Mr. Mauroof ZAKIR, President, MTUC, Maldives
Ms. Maria Teresa Limjoco CAYABYAB, Executive Board Member, NTUC Phl, Philippines
Mr. Delwar Hossain KHAN, Secretary General, BLF, Bangladesh
Mr. Raghwan, Former Deputy Director, ILO Mr. Patuan Samosir, Organizing and Project Director, ITUC-Asia Pasific
International Workshop on "Changing World and Developing Trade Union Rights: Effective Trade Unionism" ended. All trade union representatives pose for “family photo”.

International Delegates of the International Workshop on "Changing World and Developing Trade Union Rights" and 70th Anniversary of MTUC, later participated to the Conference given by Prof. Dr. Jomo Kwame Sundaram under the theme of "Poverty and Living Wage".

Secretary General of the Ministry of Human Resources of Malaysia, Mr. Amir Omar made a presentation on Labour Law Reform to the participants of the International Workshop on "Changing World and Developing Trade Union Rights" and the 70th Anniversary of MTUC.

Lastly, trade union representatives visited Rehabilitation Centre of SOCSO for injured workers in Malacca/Malaysia. Dr. Hafez Hussain made a presentation on Rehabilitation Centre.