As 2025 comes to a close, we reflect on a year of significant progress in worker organising and civil society youth leadership across our region.
From responding to crisis in Myanmar to a new union forming in Thailand, from expanding into the Pacific to nurturing change-makers through our Young Leaders Programmes, this year has shown solidarity in action.
None of this would be possible without you; our supporters, partners, and the workers and communities leading change.
Myanmar: responding to crisis while building for the future
Despite ongoing conflict, the Confederation of Trade Unions Myanmar (CTUM) is training over 500 people in union organising and workers’ rights. The International Labour Organisation invoked Article 33 against Myanmar’s junta for serious labour rights breaches.
When a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar in March, killing over 2,000 people, our supporters responded immediately. Your donations provided temporary shelters for 145 families and a permanent water tank for the community.
We launched an ambitious healthcare project funded by NZNO, building professional training for volunteer nurses, doctors, and paramedics, many from the Civil Disobedience Movement. NZEI Te Riu Roa funded teacher training and a small school in a conflict area. TEU supported governance training for youth, while ASMS funded four medical specialists volunteering near the frontline and in camps for Internally Displaced People.
Photo: CTUM union training session Myanmar
Pacific partnerships deliver wins
In the Solomon Islands, WUSI secured wage increases for forestry workers and grew membership by 204, including 65 women. In Samoa, the ILO picked up multi-year direct funding to the Workers’ Advice Centre after two successful UnionAID pilot years. In Fiji, workers are gaining union strength through two projects with the Fiji Trade Union Congress and the National Union of Workers, organising garment and poultry workers.
Photo: Jotika from the Fiji Trade Union Congress speaking about the garment workers project with UnionAID at our 2025 May Day event in Wellington
New union and workers’ organising
In The Philippines, we launched a pilot with ANGLO to establish Occupational Safety and Health committees in paint factories, aiming to reach 1,000 workers where over half of businesses fail safety standards.
In Indonesia, Destructive Fishing Watch Indonesia continued organising fishery workers in the Aru Islands, creatively using art and film to build community awareness towards forming a union.
In Thailand, platform food delivery riders formed their own union after attending RLUG study groups. A new project is strengthening this Platform Riders Union, linking to international campaigns for a binding ILO Convention on platform work.
We launched a new project in Sri Lanka with FTZ&GSWU, funded by Dairy Workers Union, organising food and beverage workers including at the Fonterra factory.
Photo: Delivery riders protest in Bangkok
Young Leaders Programmes expand
Our Young Leaders Programmes continued building civil society leaders for sustainable and inclusive development. These intensive leadership development initiatives combine structured curriculum, guided mentorship and participatory action projects to strengthen civil society and local leadership.
Cohorts from Cambodia and Laos, Indonesia and Mindanao spent three months in Aotearoa connecting with local civil society organisations, and developing their action projects responding to locally identified challenges, with guided support from Programme staff and mentors Alumni are implementing their projects at home, creating networks of emerging leaders driving social, economic and environmental justice.
In Myanmar alumni demonstrated their leadership through community projects completed under extreme insecurity and conflict, including random airstrikes by the military. They have built the capacity, improved the lives and livelihoods of, and given hope to hundreds of people.
We thank MFAT for their ongoing support of the Young Leaders Programmes, AUT and Victoria University of Wellington, and our local partners BaKTI, IDIS, KFP, and PAKA for their parnership, expertise, and commitment.
Photo: Indonesia and Mindanao Young Leaders joint hui in Wellington 2025
Twenty years with Tamil Nadu
We celebrated 20 years of partnering with the Tamil Nadu Labour Union in India. Over that time thousands of Dalit and Tribal workers joined unions, took up leading roles, and improved their lives and that of their families. Entitlements were secured for 6,000 workers.
In addition, 17 worker cooperatives were established and have moved workers towards self-sufficiency and sustainability. NZEI Te Riu Roa’s continued support for their evening education centres ensures that over 1,000 Dalit and Tribal children receive supplementary education, with hopes of higher education, once a dream.
Photo: TNLU Bamboo Basket Weaviers Cooperative
Solidarity in every cup
Thank you to everyone who chose to drink Solidarity Roast coffee, and to Matt and Freya from the House of Good Fortune for their ongoing support. With $10 from every bag going to our union projects, every cup helps fund worker organising. Order yours here.
Our people make it possible
None of this would be possible without our people. Our volunteers and staff supporting projects and programmes, mentoring and hosting young leaders, and organising fundraising events – your commitment keeps this kaupapa strong.
Union solidarity across borders
Special thanks to the New Zealand unions whose grants and support enabled crucial projects: NZEI, NZNO, PPTA, TEU, DWU, E tū, PSA, ASMS, RMTU, ISEA, PWUA, and NZCTU. Your funding and solidarity have been essential.
Looking ahead
As we move into 2026, your steady support remains crucial. Together, we’re building connections that strengthen worker and community-led movements and the fight for decent work and sustainable development across our region.
Thank you – Ngā mihi ki a koutou.
