Civil Society Panel Discussion 3

Workers and Unions in ADB Operations

Monday, 3 May 2010 (4:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Sodgiana Hall, International Business Center)

ADB forecasts a robust growth of 7.5% for Asia in 2010 in the context of a region already on its way out of the global economic crisis.

Global union federations such as Public Services International (PSI), Building and Wood Workers International (BWI) and Union Network International (UNI) believe that a strong and sustainable growth in the Asia Pacific region requires an inclusive development process that ensures full participation of workers and the provisioning of decent jobs and respect for workers' rights within the context of internationally accepted core labor standards.

Furthermore, global unions recognize that part of pursuing a constructive dialogue with ADB also involves putting in place mechanisms such as the Labor Desk and the establishment of an International Solidarity Levy (ISL) as ADB pursues its goal of poverty reduction. Adoption of an ISL at the international level would generate revenues to fund poverty alleviation projects as well as priorities identified in the Millennium Development Goals.

The forum shall also take a look and assess on the progress of ADB's core labor standards compliance and how specific ADB-funded projects impacts on the lives of working people.

PANELISTS

Trade Unions' Position/Agenda for the Post Crisis

Mr. Apolinar Tolentino, Officer in Charge, BWI
Presentation: Workers and Unions in ADB Operations [ PDF: 77kb, 8 pages ]

International Solidarity Levy

Mr. Katsuhiko Sato, JICHIRO International Secretary
Core Labor Standards in ADB Program and Project (with Case Studies)

Madya Pradesh Power Sector Reforms Power: "Scoring the ADB on CLS Compliance"

Ms. Vaidhiyanathan Anandalakshmi, PSI APRO Regional Secretary
Presentation: Madya Pradesh Power Project: Scoring the ADB on Compliance with Core Labor Standards & Related Policies [ PDF: 180kb, 16 pages ]

Ms. Magdalene Kong, UNI Global Union Asia Pacific Regional Office

Moderator
Ms. Annie Geron
Vice President, Public Services International

Note: All times are in GMT+05.