Subregional seminar of UNI Global was held on 13th to 15th of July 2017 at Kathmandu, Nepal with the participation of 30 gender balanced participants from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The main objective of this two day seminar session was to increase the awareness of the participants regarding the below aspects.
- The gaps in International Labour Standards.
- Securing decent work for professionals and managers.
This was organized to improve the joint participation of Professionals and Managers to share the knowledge regarding the above mentioned 02 fields, so that it improves the awareness of both professionals, managers and union activists.
Dr. ManodhaGamage from Sri Lanka (Managing Director - Intelligent solutions ISaC, former consultant to Director General of Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka) and Dr. Rajen Mehrotra from India (Independent director on the board of Swiss Multinational- Novartis India Ltd, Past chairman of National Institute of Personnel Management- Mumbai) were the guest speakers for the seminar.
At the beginning Mr. Jayasri Priyalal (Regional Director-UNI APRO Professionals and Managers, Singapore) presented his speech which emphasized on explaining what is 4th Industrial Revolution, how does it challenge to different sectors and what should we do to effectively manage those challenges as Professionals and Managers. He enlightened us with several fields with practical examples which enhanced our knowledge and understanding regarding the issue.
Dr. Rajen Mehrotra, as the next speaker of the seminar, carried out an interesting session regarding International Labour Organization. Following section summarizes the key insights of the session delivered by Dr. Mehrotra.
- Core standard ratification, which is a part of the Global Reporting Initiatives (GRI) on Sustainable Development by SAARC countries with comparison of each country.
(Ex: - Freedom of Right to organize, Right to organize and collective bargaining, Forced labour, Abolition of forced labour, minimum age, Worst forms of child labour, Equal Remuneration, Discrimination of Employment).
- Current situation of every individual SAARC country regarding International Labour Standards on occupational safety and health standards.
- How to achieve the UN Sustainable Goals 2015.
- Educate the stakeholders regarding the need for achieving the goals.
- Identify the gap for achieving the goals.
- Work on a strategic action to bridge the gap.
“Evaluation of the Internet and the impact of ICT development for the future jobs” was covered by Dr. ManodhaGamage with an interesting detailed presentation. What is Digital Disruption,5C’s for Digital Disruption, Digital Disruption innovations, Disruption and opportunities, what every individual party in an organization should do to get success in ICTare amongthe main facts highlighted during his session. That session made us to rethink about the job threats that we have to face in the future.At the end of the seminar we were instructed to do a group presentation regarding the role of Trade Unions to secure Sustainable Development Goals. I think it was the most challenging part of the seminar as we had only few hours to get prepared. And I’mproud to say that I had the confidence to be a presenter of “Group A- How to achieve Sustainable Development goals in accordance with the International Labour Organization, while securing the jobs as trade unions”
As a woman I must say that this seminar was a huge platform to have round table discussions with professional colleagues and also to show up the strength and the confidence of a woman to participate and represent her organization as well as her trade union in an international seminar.At last I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Jayasri Priyalal on behalf of UNI APRO for inviting me and Ceylon Banks Employees Union, Management of State Mortgage and Investment Bank for giving me this golden opportunity to represent them in this two day seminar.
Thanushi Hewapathirana
Ceylon Bank Employees Union (State Mortgage & Investment bank Branch) Sri Lanka.