3rd Asia Pacific “Women Leading, Women Organizing (WLWO)” Training
Dhaka, 1-4 December 2016
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS –10 October 2016, Monday!
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Context:

Women’s Labor Exploitation for current Economic Model:

Global capitalism and its market-driven policies, in the guise of providing jobs and boosting economies, have instead led to destruction of the planet and worsening of labor rights. The huge amounts of profits and wealth of the 1% elites- the rich and the multinational corporations- have been possible due to global agreements and domestic policies favoring corporations and other capitalists, such as the free movement of capital, tax havens/concessions, reducing regulations on industries and promoting cheap and flexible labor, especially that of the women.

Global capitalism has restructured production and work leading to labor migration, informalization and contractualization of labor, and adoption of complex supply chains which have made organizing of the workers more difficult. Labor exploitations through diminishing elements of decent work agenda including rights to living wages, decent conditions, health and safety, and rights to organize, to collectively bargain and to strike are also persistently on rise. For instance, increase in trade union repression through various forms of persecutions, termination of employments, physical violent attacks and murders of unionists.

Women Workers and Unionization:

Women continue to disproportionately face a range of multiple challenges relating to access to employment choice of work, working conditions, employment security, wage parity, discrimination, sexual harassments, and balancing the competing burdens of work and family responsibilities.

Trade unions, especially for women labor, are critical space to promote and protect their rights, not just at workplace but also in community, national, regional and international levels.[1] Despite their significance, however, women remain under-represented as members, organizers and leaders in the trade union movement.  The under-representation of women especially in trade union decision-making bodies is due to deeply embedded patriarchal values that ‘attempts at dissuasion against taking on trade union responsibilities’[2], and lack of leadership skills or lack of confidence in their own abilities.

[1] ILO, 2001, ‘Promoting Gender Equality: A Resource Kit for Trade Unions’ available http://www.workinfo.com/free/links/gender/cha_1.htm
[2] Women in Trade Union: Making the difference in ttps://www.etuc.org/sites/www.etuc.org/files/genre_an_080403.pdf


Training Methods& Content: 

This participatory workshop/training will draw from the experiences and existing knowledge of the participants. It will focus on Trade Unionism in the context of Globalization, Fundamentalism, Militarism and Feminist Development Justice. The sessions will seek to develop leadership skills of the participants; capacities in organizing methods, including mobilizing through speech; feminist analysis of work; the decent work agenda; collective bargaining, among others.


Requirements:

• Women delegates, organizers, trade union leaders (both registered and un-registered, informal unions or associations are eligible)
• Engagement in trade union/s for minimum of 1 year.
• Able to fully attend the training from 1-4 December and other civil society activities like GFMD’s Asian Civil Society Day or People’s Global Action from around 5-10 December.
• As the workshop and learning material will be in English, applicants are expected to have basic proficiency of English (understanding and speaking). Those who are not proficient in English may be considered where another participant can support translation. Trade unions can nominate up to two participants with one being an English speaker.
• APWLD members as well as non-members from across Asia Pacific.
• Applications from unions/organizations who have participated in previous two WLWO trainings are also welcome.


Selection will be based on the following considerations:

• Role of applicant in trade unions, need of the training and motivation to join the training.
• Balance in sub-regional representation (Asia Pacific) and ‘trade union’ sector representation
• Preference will be given to individuals with recommendations from APWLD network.
• The participant group size will be limited to approx. 20 nos.


Expectations and obligations of participants:

Pre-training (guidelines and materials will be provided by APWLD):
• Collate and submit national information and relevant case studies
• Accomplish reading materials, as provided, prior to participating in the training
During training:
• Actively participate and share knowledge, expertise and experiences, including making presentations, group-works, mock speeches etc.
• Develop a personal action plan at the end of the training
Post-training:
• Maintain regular contact with APWLD and colleagues in the training to exchange lessons, experiences, practices and impacts that result from the training.
• Report to APWLD on the application of action plan during the follow-up by APWLD


Cost of the Training and Sponsorship:

APWLD will cover the costs of discounted economy airfare; boarding and lodging during the training and the subsequent one-two days to participate in solidarity events (approx. 6/7days in total), applicable visa fees and airport/travel taxes. Other additional travel related expenses must be informed by the participant to APWLD beforehand for approval.
Participation on self-funding (full or partial) can also be considered.


APPLICATION Procedure: All applicants MUST submit:

(i) Completed Application Form;
(ii) Updated Curriculum Vitae (not more than 2 pages long) and
(iii) Endorsement/Recommendation letter from the organization/trade union
The recommending trade union/organization should certify that the applicant has worked in or aspire to involve in leadership roles and decision making positions within the organization and is committed to applying the core learning points of the training in her future work.

To apply, 

  • Download the application form HERE,  
    and email these 3 documents to the attention of Ms.Suluck Fai Lamubol at fai@apwld.org with subject line as “Application for WLWO Training”
  • Or fill out the online application form below

Application must be lodged no later than 10 October 2016, Monday.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS (with either of incomplete/missing Application form, CV or Endorsement letter)
WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Please note that only selected applicants will be contacted (within the third week of October).

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