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
The Time is Right for Malaysian Woodworkers’ Project
A supportive political environment suggests it is good timing for a new UnionAID project in Malaysia to build union membership and strength for forestry workers. Designed and managed by the
Aru Islands seafood workers form new union
In May 2025, Destructive Fishing Watch (DFW) Indonesia’s field facilitator first met with workers in the Aru Islands, particularly workers in Seafood Processing Units —in the local language called Kontainer.
Bangkok delivery riders campaign for new constitution
Under their banners and placards “8 February. Vote Yes. New Constitution”, members of the Rangsit Riders Union campaigned in support of a referendum calling for the drafting of a new
Building solidarity with migrant workers through social activities
Strengthening the relationship between Thai and Burmese factory workers is central to the work of the Rangsit and Area Labour Union Group (RLUG). And they use a range of interactive
Tuna workers in Indonesia trapped in precarious contracts
UnionAID partner Destructive Fishing Watch (DFW) Indonesia has revealed the harsh reality facing tuna processing workers across Jakarta, Bali, and North Sulawesi. Their recent research exposes how seafood companies keep workers vulnerable
Fiji unions to launch living wage campaign for workers
UnionAID partner the Fiji Trade Union Congress (FTUC) will launch a Living Wage for Fiji campaign next year, National Secretary Felix Anthony has announced. Speaking at the Pacific Regional Tripartite
Sri Lankan garment workers protest as US tariffs used to cut benefits
Sri Lankan garment workers are facing cuts to benefits as employers cite US tariff increases as justification. UnionAID partner, the Free Trade Zones & General Services Employees Union reports that
Indonesia – Organising Workers through Art and Film
Organising fishery workers in the Indonesian Aru Islands is far from easy. With extremely long working hours, there is very little time for factory workers to meet with union organisers
Strengthening the Bangkok Platform Riders Union (2025-26)
In partnership with the Rangsit Labour Union Group (RLUG), UnionAID is supporting a vital project to build collective strength and improve working conditions for platform food delivery riders
Stories from our Young LEaders
INSPIRASI 2026
UnionAID, with partners the Auckland University of Technology, BaKTI and the New Zealand Embassy in Jakarta, is delighted to welcome the eighth cohort of East Indonesia Young Leaders to the
Finding home: Mindanao Young Leaders’ Indigenous Connections at Ōrongomai Marae
When the 2025 cohort of the Mindanao Young Leaders Programme were called onto the marae ātea of Ōrongomai Marae in Upper Hutt through pōwhiri for noho marae (3-day stay), they
Welcoming the 2025 Mindanao Young Leaders cohort
Welcome to the 2025 Mindanao Young Leaders cohort who have had a whirlwind couple of weeks in Wellington, starting with a mihi whakatau from NZEI Te Riu Roa & NZCTU
Cambodia Laos Young Leaders – 2025 cohort
UnionAID, with partners, the Khmer Farmer Products (KFP) in Cambodia, the Participatory Development Knowledge Agency (PAKA) in the Lao PDR and Auckland University of Technology (AUT), are excited to welcome
Welcoming the 2025 Indonesia Young Leaders cohort
Nau mai haere mai to the 2025 Indonesia Young Leaders cohort who kicked off their Aotearoa journey last week! It was a week of warm welcomes, from a moving pōwhiri on
Cambodia Laos Young Leaders – 2024 cohort
UnionAID, with partners, the Khmer Farmer Products (KFP) in Cambodia, the Participatory Development Knowledge Agency (PAKA) in the Lao PDR and Auckland University of Technology (AUT), are excited to welcome
