Our Stories
Every day our courageous union partners are working hard to create real change. By building unions, forming cooperatives and fighting for their rights, tens of thousands of working men and women have achieved long lasting improvements to their incomes and working conditions.
Their stories show the power of collective action and solidarity to change lives and make a better world.
Stories from Our Union Partners

Migrant workers’ rights championed in Thailand
Our partners in Thailand, the Rangsit and Area Labour Union Group (RLUG), have been championing the rights of migrant and informal workers, like food delivery bike riders and home workers.

Thailand: Government officials attending union meetings
Government officials in Thailand have been attending union meetings, increasingly since the military coup in in 2014. At a Rangsit Labour Unions Group (RLUG) AGM in November, three officials from Thailand’s Department

RLUG represent workers at Thai protests
UnionAID partners, The Rangsit Labour Unions Group was represented at the rallies, protests and marches at APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Community) in Bangkok Thailand this month. The concerns of a

Thai Union Organiser Not Guilty!
UnionAID Aotearoa NZ/Rangsit Labour Union Group Thailand project co-coordinator Sriprai Nonsee found not guilty of sedition Rangsit Labour Union Group organiser Sriprai Nonsee has been found found not guilty of

Human Rights Violations Brought to Light
Courageous activists and National League for Democracy members are risking their lives documenting human rights violations in Myanmar. However online courses, organised this year by Thin Thin Lay (MYLP 2020)

Military Executions Shock World
The recent extra-judicial executions of four human rights defenders by the Myanmar miliary have shocked the world. Although not unexpected, these show the lengths to which the brutal junta will

New Project to Raise Wages for Thai Plasterboard Workers
A new UnionAID project will focus on preventing exploitation of migrant workers in Thailand who produce plasterboard now being sold very cheaply in Aotearoa-New Zealand. While Thai plasterboard will be

Solidarity Kitchens Support Sri Lankan Garment Workers
Every Sunday garment workers in Sri Lanka who have lost jobs because of the political and economic crisis come together to cook, talk, share experiences, and engage in morale boosting
Stories from our Young LEaders

Small business project in Myanmar fosters pride
While the world’s eyes are on the war in Ukraine, the murderous military in Myanmar continues to kill, execute, and displace citizens across the country. February 1st will mark two years since the brutal coup which saw the illegitimate demise of a democratically elected parliament.

3 strategies for surviving a military regime
While the world’s eyes are on the war in Ukraine, the murderous military in Myanmar continues to kill, execute, and displace citizens across the country. February 1st will mark two years since the brutal coup which saw the illegitimate demise of a democratically elected parliament.

Early voting for young learners in Myanmar – a MYLP project update
New ways of teaching have been introduced into Karon school by one MYLP alumni.

Seeking Host Families – INSPIRASI
Are you interested in hosting a young leader from the East Indonesia? UnionAID is seeking Auckland-based host families for its INSPIRASI Young Leaders Programme from mid-April until late June 2023.

Seeking Host Families – MinYLP
Are you interested in hosting a young leader from the Philippines? UnionAID is seeking Wellington-based host families for its Mindanao Young Leaders Programme from mid-April until late June 2023. Participants

Young Leaders Take Over Facebook
After six months of online classes the ten young leaders respectively from Mindanao and Indonesia 2022 groups have come together in-country to get to know one another and meet their