Nisshin STC Labour Union: Building a Stronger Union with Youth!

by IUF Asia/Pacific | Jun 13, 2024 | Education & Training, Youth in Unions

On 2-3 June, 2024, IUF Asia/Pacific together with the Nisshin STC Labour Union of Thailand, organized a training program focused on developing youth leadership within the union. Young workers active in unions and union leadership is vital to union power and the future of unions.

This two-day program, which brought together 47 union leaders and members in Sattahip, Chonburi, Thailand, was proposed by both senior and youth leadership to empower and equip young members with the skills and knowledge necessary to build collective confidence and prepare them to be future leaders.

Furthermore, it sought to bridge the generational gap by fostering greater understanding between younger and senior members’ perspectives on union activities, creating a stronger, more unified union with an aim for developing future union leadership.

In line with the IUF Asia/Pacific Regional Conference Decisions on “Renewing Union Power in the Food & Beverage Sector”, “New Technologies, Digitalization and Automation” and “Youth in Unions – Building Union Power for the Future” the training focused on developing workplace mapping, a tool to understand, assess and address the risks and hazards of occupational safety and health, impact of new technologies, digitalization and automation and ensure safe workplaces free of violence and sexual harassment.

In addition, the training focused on better understanding of health and safety rights including combating Behavior Based Safety and sexual harassment and the enabling rights of freedom of association and collective bargaining to ensures a safe and healthy working environment for everyone.

Similarly, the training also focused on understanding union perspective on new technologies, digitalization and automation as a proactive approach in adapting and collectively addressing changes that could impact jobs and job security.

The Sattahip training program is an example of how unions can grow and become stronger when they embrace the power of collaboration. By fostering open communication and knowledge-sharing between generations, they build a more resilient and dynamic organization.