What We Do
For a Better World
Decent work, with wages and conditions that enable us to live in dignity, is a basic human right. We can’t sit by while millions of people in our Asia-Pacific region are denied this right.
We are committed to supporting action by working people in neighbouring countries to build unions, provide skills training and take collective action that improves their lives. Together we will empower working people in our Asia-Pacific region to achieve a life free of poverty.
How We Work
We invest the money we raise into partner organisations in developing countries with the experience, courage and knowledge to build the collective power of vulnerable working people. Our partners identify their priorities and solutions and we support them through funding, advice and monitoring to ensure that projects deliver real change for working people.
Building Unions
Unions empower workers by giving them the collective strength to negotiate fair wages and working conditions, thereby enhancing their overall quality of life. Across Asia and the Pacific, we support union groups in their struggle for these rights. Our initiatives create links between unions and workers in Aotearoa New Zealand and other unions throughout our region.
Skills training
Skills training increases job opportunities and earning potential. Our projects support women, migrants and minorities to gain new vocational skills so they can get decent work and safely support themselves and their families.
Creating Cooperatives
Establishing local co-operatives enables small scale farmers, street vendors, cleaners and other groups of working people to collectively make and sell their products, improving their incomes and sustainability. We have supported Dalit and Tribal workers in India to form co-operatives, increasing their incomes and breaking dependency on money lenders, middle men and landlords.
Empowering workers
Participation in democratic, worker-led organisations empowers people whose work is not formally recognised to advocate for better pay, job security, and better prospects for themselves and their peers.
Shaping Young Leaders
With funding from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT, we provide young community leaders from Myanmar, East Indonesia and Mindanao (southern Philippines) with the opportunity to learn about democracy, human rights, gender justice, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and community development.
Our Success 2021-22
We work with our partners to build grassroots movements for justice and decent work. Achieving real change is challenging work, but our projects directly improve the working and social conditions of thousands of working people across the Asia-Pacific region.
Stories from our partners
Fiji Women Ambitious for Living Wage
In February UnionAID supported the National Union of Factory and Commercial Workers to hold its first ever two-day Women’s Conference. On day one 40 NUFCW members heard from some of
Union Project Builds Momentum in Rangsit
By using a wide range of thoughtful strategies, the Rangsit and Area Labour Union Group (RLUG) can boast significant successes in building the union and improving lives. Over the past
Social Media Attracts Young Union Activists
Social media has been a driving force attracting a new generation of younger workers into union activities in Thailand. One effective strategy the Rangsit and Area Labour Union Group (RLUG)