Power Resource Approach for trade union challenges in Asia

Defining Power for Asia-Pacific Workers

The Asia-Pacific region grows to encompass 2.2 billion workers—and a number like this can definitely shape the future of economies in the region. For union and workers, the question at hand is what power means for them?

At a majority, 65% of these billions of people belong to the informal economy—street vendors in Delhi, musicians from the Philippines, tourism workers in Bangkok—Asia is the home of the world’s largest informal economy workers. This huge majority will only get bigger, with the rise of informalization and digitalization, leaving unions in Asia a more daunting task to mount efforts to collectively bargain for fair wages and just working conditions. Adding on to this megatrends are the devastating trilemma of the climate crisis, widening gender divides, and increasing wealth inequality—these have placed further pressure on long-fought labor victories. A call for new strategies to help workers reclaim their influence is imperative. This is what the Power Resource Approach (PRA) responds directly to.

The PRA is an essential framework that equips unions and workers with the ability to identify their collective capacities and reshape systems in ways that benefit both workers and the future of work. This was the core focus of a recent workshop hosted by FES Nepal and organized by the Regional Trade Union and Future of Work Programme, led by FES Philippines. Twenty union and workers’ organizations from across the Asia-Pacific region participated.

Following successful PRA workshops in Nairobi and Buenos Aires, this year marked Asia’s turn to explore the approach. “The PRA is a union-friendly tool that helps workers regain and expand their power,” said Sarangua, FES Mongolia Trade Union Coordinator. The workshop’s success stemmed from the exchange of case studies across the region, showcasing how workers can tap into their available power resources to negotiate better working conditions and bolster their influence in society.

The regional platform achieved two significant outcomes through this workshop: (1) the creation of a toolkit to help unions claim their power, and (2) the formation of a network of leaders ready to shape the future of work in Asia-Pacific. Roohi Kashan from the All Pakistan Labour Federation further emphasized the PRA’s inclusivity, stating, “The PRA introduces a gendered perspective on power, offering new, gender-inclusive solutions.”

From Pakistan to Mongolia, workers now have access to a roadmap that will guide them through these challenging times. With the PRA, unions can collectively strengthen their power and effectively advocate for the changes needed to improve working conditions and secure a just future for all.

Interested to learn more? Visit the toolkit: click below!

Power Resource Approach (PRA) workshop in Nepal, 2024


Showcase across Asia

We gather case studies across the region from the exchange at PRA Workshop here. Let's explore how workers in each country can tap into their available power resources to negotiate better working conditions and bolster their influence in society.

Bangladesh – Light vehicle and platform riders

India – Platform-based gig workers

Mongolia - Cashmere industry workers

Nepal - Street vendors

Pakistan - Hydro electric workers

Philippines – Platform riders

South Korea - Part-time research workers and migrant workers

Thailand – Musicians and night workers