by IUF Asia/Pacific | Jun 13, 2024 | Food Service Workers, Our Union Our Power, Youth in Unions
In accordance with the 14th IUF Asia/Pacific Regional Conference’s Decision No.15 “Organizing Power in the Food Services Sector”, IUF Asia/Pacific is committed to build union strength in restaurants, fast food, coffee shops, catering, and food delivery services and campaigning for better wages and conditions that recognize the value of the work of Food Services workers.
As part of the initiative, IUF Asia/Pacific supports the self-organized Chiang Mai Barista Union in Thailand. In May 2024, the newly formed Chiang Mai Barista Union, organized their first ever International Workers’ Day rally to raise their collective demands of better wages and working conditions. Messages like “Fair wages for fair work” and “Minimum wage, not minimum standards” resonated with the public as well.
IUF Asis-Pacific supported the young workers in amplifying their demands. Access to simple resources, such as placards, paint, and brushes, proved vital, empowering the young baristas to express their perspectives on workers’ rights through impactful signage.
Furthermore, the Barista Union collaborated with the Northern Labor Network and other civil society organizations. Together, they submitted a petition to Chiang Mai’s Mayor and Provincial Governor advocating for an increase in the minimum wage. They collectively marched through the city’s historic old town, culminating at Tha Phrae Gate for a public demonstration.
Around 200 workers, mostly young workers, marched through the city of Chiang Mai in a landmark rally of food services workers.
Doi, a founding member of the Barista Union, delivered a speech on behalf of the Northern Labor Network. His message underscores the potential of unions to empower young workers and improve working conditions within Chiang Mai’s service industry.
Doi addressing the rally and speaking on importance of unionizing
Moreover, Doi specifically acknowledged the crucial support provided by IUF Asia Pacific. This assistance facilitated the union’s first large-scale member mobilization, solidifying its organizational structure.
This is a significant step by the youth to build union strength and to ensure that food service jobs are good, safe jobs that provide decent incomes for workers and their families now and in the future.
by IUF Asia/Pacific | Mar 27, 2024 | Food Service Workers, Freedom of Association, Our Members, Sustainable Tourism, اردو Urdu
FSPM Congress
ایف ایس پی ایم نے جنوری 2023 کو ہونے والی اپنی 8ویں کانگریش میں فیصلہ کیا تھا کہ جن آٹھ علاقوں سیما رنگ،پوکیاکارتا،جکارتہ۔لامپنگ،بانڈو،سورابایالاجوان،باجو اور بالی جیاں ان کے ممبر مو جود ہیں وہاں اپنی رکنیت کو بڑھانے کے لیے سیاحتی کارکنوں کی جنرل یونین بنایں گے۔
کویڈ کے دوران سیاحت کے بحران کی وجہ سے پچھلے تین سالوں میں پورے انڈونیشیا میں اپنے 4000 ممبران کھونے کے بعد ایف ایس پی ایم نے اپنی یونین کی طاقت کو دوبارہ قائم کرنے کے لیے مزید کارکنوں کو منظم کرنے کے نئے طریقے تلاس کیے۔
ایس ایس پی ایم نے ایف ایس پی ایم پری ویسٹا کو ایک نئے ڈھانچے کے طور پر تشکیل دینے کا فیصلہ کیا تا کہ کھانے کی خدمات اور ہوٹل و سیاحت کی صنعت میں انفرادی کارکنوں کو اس میں شامل کیا جاے اور انہیں خراب صورتحال میں انکی حفاظت کے لیے ان کی اپنی حقیقی یونین کی ضرورت کو پورا کیا جا سکے۔ ایف ایس پی ایم نے فوری طور پر بڑے پیمانے پر تنظیم شازی کے لیے حکمت عملی شروع کر دی، اس سے پہلے یہ بات عام تھی کہ ایف ایس پی ایم کے پاس معلومات حاصل کرنے کے ایسے پیغامات آتے تھے جہاں کام کی جگہ یونین نہیں ھے اور وہ پوچھتے تھے کہ کیا ایف ایس پی ایم میں شامل پو سکتے ہیں لیکن اس وقت ہم ان کے لیے کچھ نہیں کر سکتے تھے، یہ بات ایف ایس پی ایم نے ۔۔جنرل سیکریٹری بھائی گلیح تری پنجالو نے بتائی
Registration of FSPM Pariwisata
۔2 مئی کو ایف بی ایم پری ورسٹا افرادی قوت کے محکمے میں رجسٹرڈ ہونے والی پہلی انفرادی بنیاد پر جنرل یونین بن گئی۔یہ 8 جنوری کو ہونے والی کانگریس کے فیصلے کا نتیجہ تھا۔
بھائی گلیح نے بتایا کہ انڈونیشیا میں مزدوروں کے لیے ٹریڈ یونین بنانا کافی مشکل ہے کیونکہ مزدوروں اور آجروں کی نظروں میں یونینوں کی بری تصویر بنتی ہے۔انڈونیشیا کے قانون کا ضابطہ جس میں کام کی جگہ پر یونین بنانے کے لیے کم از کم 10 افراد کی ضرورت ہوتی ہے وہ بھی بعض اوقات رکاوٹ بن جاتی ہے۔
مئی۱۵ کو نئی یونین کے قیام کے لیے میٹنگ کے دوران ایک مقامی ریستوران کے کارکن برادر محمد احسان نے کہا، “جب کارکنوں کی حیثیت سے ہمارے حقوق کو پامال کیا جاتا ہے تو یہ ہمارے لیے بہترین پلیٹ فارم ہے۔” انہوں نے مزید کہا کہ کارکنوں کو دفاع کرنے والے افراد کو ہونا چاہیے۔
یونین میں شامل ہونے اور اجتماعی طور پر جدوجہد کرنے کی اہمیت کی وصاحت کرتے ہوئے ایس ایس پی ایم کے آرگنائزر برادر حریف یونالڈی نے کہا: “کبھی کبھی یونین کے لیے کارکنوں کے حقوق کا تحفظ کرنا مشکل ہو جاتا ہے، ایسے کارکنوں کو چھوڑ دیں جن سے توقع کی جاتی ہے کہ وہ خود اپنے حقوق کا دفاع کریں گے۔
Fafin Lubis, a founding member of a general tourism workers union
جنرل ٹورازم ورکرز یونین کے بانی اجلاس میں، ریستوران کے کارکنوں نے اس شعبے میں کارکنوں کے حقوق کی خلاف ورزیوں پر کچھ مسائل اٹھائے، جیسے کہ روزانہ کارکنوں کا استعمال، پارٹ ٹائم ورکرز کے ساتھ بدسلوکی اور بغیر معاوضہ اوور ٹائم۔ ایک بین الاقوامی ریسٹورنٹ چین کے اسسٹنٹ مینیجر برادر فافن لوبس نے ایک یونین بنا کر ایک “سازگار، ہم آہنگی اور خوشحال” کام کرنے کا ماحول بنانے کی اپنی خواہش کی وضاحت کی۔
مستقبل کے لیے منظم کرنا
ایف ایس پی پری ورسٹا کومنظم کرنا ایک طویل مدتی تنظیمی کوشش ھے، یہ پہلا قدم ہے جس کے بارے میں ایف ایس پی ایم کا خیال ہے کہ ان کارکنوں کو ایک پلیٹ فارم فراہم کرنے میں اہم ہے جو یونین میں شامل ہونے میں دلچسپی رکھتے ہیں۔
ایف ایس پی ورسٹا ہوٹل اور ریستوراں کے کارکنوں تک محدود نہیں ہے ۔ ایف ایس پی ایم ۔ دیگر سیاحتی کاروباروں میں زیادہ کارکنوں کو نشانہ بنا رہا ہے جیسے کہ سیاحتی مقامات پر کارکنان، ٹور گائیڈز، گولف کورس کے کارکنان اور یہاں تک کہ کھانے کی ترسیل کرنے والے سوار۔ “ہم ان شعبوں سے یونین کی رکنیت بڑھانے کے لیے منظم کرنا چاہیں گے جو اس سارے عرصے میں مناسب طریقے سے منظم نہیں ہوئے،” بھائی گلیح نے اعلان کیا۔
Discussion on organizing strategies for SPM Pariwisata
تنظیم سازی کی حکمت عملیوں کی ترقی کے لحاظ سے ایف ایس پی ایم ۔ایس پی ایم پری ورسٹا ، کے اراکین کے لیے یونین کے اراکین کے طور پر ان کی صلاحیت بڑھانے کے لیے ایک تعلیمی پروگرام کا انعقاد کرے گا ۔ایس پی ایم پری ورسٹا کے اراکین کی حوصلہ افزائی کی جاے گی کہ وہ اپنے کام کی جگہوں پر بھی اپنی یونین کو منظم کریں۔
“انفرادی ممبرشپ یونینوں کی موجودگی کے ساتھ، یہ زیادہ سے زیادہ کارکنوں کو یونین میں شامل ہونے کا موقع فراہم کرتا ہے۔ لہذا، اگر کارکنوں کو کچھ ہو جاتا ہے، یا انہیں کسی مشکل صورتحال کا سامنا کرنا پڑتا ہے، تو وہ کم از کم اپنے حقوق، فلاح و بہبود اور ملازمت کے تسلسل کے لیے تحفظ حاصل کر سکتے ہیں،” بھائی گلیح نے مشاہدہ کیا۔
by IUF Asia/Pacific | Nov 4, 2023 | Collective Bargaining Rights, Food Service Workers, Freedom of Association, Human Rights, Secure Jobs
The IUF-affiliated National Union of Food Delivery Riders (RIDERS-SENTRO) held a press conference on November 3, to denounce the systematic violation of rights and persecution of delivery riders by Grab and Foodpanda in the Philippines.
In recent weeks food delivery riders mobilized to protest against an unfair fare matrix suddenly imposed by Grab. In response to the protests, Grab terminated and suspended riders for speaking out. At the same time, Foodpanda continued its abusive, unsafe practices, placing food delivery above the safety and wellbeing of riders.
Grab is poised to take over Foodpanda operations in the Philippines. Delivery Hero, the Germany-based parent company of Foodpanda, is ignoring these rights abuses as it prepares to sell delivery operations in several Asian countries including the Philippines.
National Union of Food Delivery Riders (RIDERS-SENTRO) Press Release [PDF]
RIDERS PRESS CONFERENCE TO LAUNCH NATIONAL CAMPAIGN ON NOVEMBER 3, 2023
QUEZON CITY — After the massive mobilizations of Grab riders in Metro Manila in the previous month, it is unfortunate that Grab continues to ignore the legitimate grievances of its partners. With many riders slapped with arbitrary suspensions, RIDERS-SENTRO finds no choice but to continue our campaign to advance the full respect and recognition of riders’ rights across all platforms. To this end, RIDERS-SENTRO held a press conference to publicly launch a national campaign called Respect Riders’ Rights. Among the demands that we riders will forward include:
- Fair rates
- Comprehensive insurance
- Magna Carta for Delivery Riders
- Reinstatement of suspended delivery riders
- Union representation of delivery riders
The speakers at the press conference were the suspended riders from both Grab and Foodpanda. They spoke about riders’ issues such as the recent imposition of the unfair fare matrix, which the riders opposed. However, Grab’s response was to terminate and suspend the riders who protested against it. Many such riders were terminated by Grab because they attended assemblies intended to raise the concerns of all riders with regards to various issues and, most importantly, the issue of the fare restructure that will reduce their income.
The issue of insurance was also brought up at the press conference as riders frequently face the threat of accidents on the road. RIDERS – Pampanga member Jeremiah Javier shared that just recently in Pampanga, one of their colleagues met with an accident while on duty. The first question of their dispatcher was “was the food delivered?” Foodpanda also suspended the rider after a few days. Platform companies only give medical reimbursements, if any. More often than not, it is the riders themselves that come together to help each other in accidents or in death.
Mary Rose Evardone, a Grab rider that has been red-tagged and suspended twice, called for due process. Despite important service both to the company and the general public, as well as the regular nature of delivery riders’ work, they continue to be treated as “delivery-partners, free-lancers, self-employed and independent contractors”. This is used to justify their lower incomes and the lack of sufficient social protection, despite the fact that their work can reach 12-15 hours a day, and that platform company management has the power to suspend and off-board riders, even without due process.
RIDERS-SENTRO sees that the root problem of these issues is the platform companies’ lack of respect towards delivery riders. Instead of taking proper action, platform companies respond with termination and suspension of riders who call for respect for their rights. With this, RIDERS-SENTRO has launched a petition that calls on legislators to pass the Freelance Protection Bill and for customers to support their delivery riders. The petition can be accessed through https://chng.it/vhLnRBxbyc.
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The National Union of Food Delivery Riders, is the first and only national union of delivery riders in the country. It has members from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao that forward riders’ interests for decent work and just livelihoods. Its riders are from different apps such as Grab, Foodpanda, and Maxim.
by IUF Asia/Pacific | Nov 4, 2023 | Food Service Workers, Human Rights, Secure Jobs
Delivery Hero, the Germany-based parent company of Foodpanda, is planning to sell its delivery operations in several Asian countries including the Philippines. While all of the attention is on the anti-trust hurdles that its competitor Grab might face in taking over Foodpanda in Asia, there is no consideration of what this means for the delivery riders themselves.
Foodpanda in the Philippines compelled riders to pay for smartphones, uniforms, and equipment. And now they bear the cost of that in an uncertain future. They fear they will be forced to start again with Grab, paying these costs all over again. At the same time, Delivery Hero plans to simply walk away from the unsafe practices of Foodpanda that contributed to the injury and death of delivery riders.
In its planned selloff Delivery Hero is ignoring its human rights due diligence obligations in terms of ensuring that rights are not violated in the transfer process. Grab is at the center of massive protests by delivery riders over unfair fares and persecution. Grab Philippines has systematically terminated delivery riders for speaking out. However, there is no due diligence of Grab as a potential buyer – just a price tag.
The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises also obliges companies like Delivery Hero to ensure that any changes to the business – including closure or sale – will have a minimal negative impact on social standards and rights. The Guidelines oblige the company to engage in meaningful negotiations with trade union representatives to minimize the negative impact of these changes. But in the case of the Philippines, Foodpanda continues to deny workers’ representation and punish those who speak out.
by IUF Asia/Pacific | Oct 27, 2023 | Food Service Workers, Our Members, Social Justice
In the Philippines, members of the National Union of Food Delivery Riders (RIDERS) – affiliated to IUF and SENTRO – held a protest action against the new fare adjustment imposed by Grab management that caused a significant loss of income for delivery riders.
Grab delivery riders in metro Manila expressed their protest against the unfair fare adjustment in a one day “App off” protest action and Unity Ride through the city.
In messages taped to their delivery bags, Grab delivery riders demanded that:
- we also have rights
- we have families too
- Grab management should be fair
- no to unfair fare matrix
RIDERS places responsibility on Grab management in the Philippines for the unfair fare adjustment which is effectively a wage cut. It was a deliberate management decision to apply a new fare matrix.
Criticizing the unfair fare adjustment, IUF Asia/Pacific Regional Secretary Hidayat Greenfield observed:
The new fare adjustment takes money away from riders and their families and puts it into the hands of Grab corporate management and investors. It is greed that drives these decisions not algorithms or AI.
by IUF Asia/Pacific | May 22, 2023 | Food Service Workers, Freedom of Association, Our Members, Sustainable Tourism
FSPM 8th Congress in January 2023 passed a resolution to establish general tourism workers unions on International Workers Day
As agreed in their 8th Congress in January 2023, FSPM declared the establishment of its general individual-membership union, SPM Pariwisata (Independent Tourism Workers’ Union), in the eight regions where it has members. The eight regions are Semarang, Yogyakarta, Jakarta, Lampung, Bandung, Surabaya, Labuan Bajo and Bali.
After losing up to 4,000 members across Indonesia in the last three years due to the pandemic and tourism crisis, FSPM explored new ways to organize more workers to rebuild their union strength.
FSPM decided to form SPM Pariwisata as a new structure to accommodate individual workers in the food services and hotel and tourism industry and meet their real need for a union to protect them in the worst situation. At the same time FSPM began crafting strategies for large-scale organizing. Even before this it was common for FSPM to receive inquiries from workers who have no union at their workplace asking if they can join FSPM. “But at that time we could not do much,” said Brother Galih Tri Panjalu, FSPM General Secretary.
Registration with the Department of Manpower
SPM Pariwisata Yogyakarta became the FSPM first individual-based, general union to be registered with the Department of Manpower on May 2. This was followed by SPM Pariwisata Semarang on May 8 and SPM Pariwisata Jakarta on May 19.
Brother Galih mentioned that it is quite difficult for workers in Indonesia to form a trade union because of the bad image of unions created in the eyes of workers and employers. The regulation in Indonesian law that requires a minimum of 10 people to form a union in a workplace also sometimes becomes an obstacle.
“This is the best platform for us when our rights as workers are undermined,” said Brother Muhamad Ikhsan, a local chain restaurant worker, during the meeting to establish the new union on May 15. He added that workers should be the ones to defend their rights.
When explaining the importance of joining a union and struggling collectively, Brother Rival Yunaldi, FSPM Organizer, said: “It’s sometimes even difficult for a union to protect workers rights, let alone workers who are expected to defend their rights by themselves.”
Fafin Lubis, a founding member of a general tourism workers union
At the founding meeting of the general tourism workers’ union, restaurant workers raised some issues on workers’ rights violations in the sector, such as the use of daily workers, part-time worker abuse and unpaid overtime. Brother Fafin Lubis, an Asisstant Manager in an international restaurant chain, explained his wish to create a “conducive, harmonious and prosperous” working environment by forming a union.
Organizing for the Future
Organizing SPM Pariwisata is a long term organizing effort. It is the first step that FSPM believes is important in providing a platform for workers who are interested in joining a union.
SPM Pariwisata in not limited to hotel and restaurant workers. FSPM is targeting more workers in other tourism businesses such as workers in tourism sites, tour guides, golf course workers and even food delivery riders. “We would like to organize to increase union membership from sectors that have not been properly organized all this time,” declared Brother Galih.
Discussion on organizing strategies for SPM Pariwisata
In terms of the development of organizing strategies, FSPM will conduct an education program for members of SPM Pariwisata to increase their capacity as union members. Members of SPM Pariwisata will be encouraged to then organize and form their own union at their workplaces as well.
“With the presence of individual-membership unions, it provides an opening for more and more workers to join the union. So, if something happens to workers, or they are faced with a difficult situation, they can at least get protection for their rights, welfare and job continuity,” observed Brother Galih.
