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By Brian Geronimo
Japan is one of the best places and destinations in Asia for tourism and work. It is due to his unparalleled and unique culture, advanced technology, and heavy manufacturing industries. Japan’s economy relies mainly on the manufacturing sector, electro-mechanical technology, car production and retail trade industries.
During the field mission of IYCW-ASPAC to YCW Japan, one of the best learning experiences was the deep sharing of their cultural heritage and work values. Although the language and beliefs may vary from other countries in Asia and the rest of the World, the working conditions of many young people in Japan are not far removed from the conditions and situations of young people in other countries, especially in the social and economic aspects of life.
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In Nicaragua, maquilas have become the main source of income over the years. Until 2019, the country had 52 industrial parks and 226 companies but due to the social situation and the Covid-19 pandemic, massive layoffs took place and many companies closed their doors without paying compensation to their workers.
Since 2020, hundreds of young people have emigrated to other countries (Costa Rica, Mexico, USA, Spain, El Salvador). With the loss of investors in the country, the job shortage further impoverished households directly dependent on those large global supply chains, as many of these young people lacked the professional education that would have enabled them to find other formal work options.
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If you are a recent graduate or a young worker from the province, looking for your first job or having been looking for work for a long time in the Manila metropolitan area, offers may exist, but these are usually contractual agreements. Some of you may be hesitant to take on these positions, while some have no option but to accept the job. This reality is reflected in many testimonies of YCW members in Valenzuela City.
YCW Philippines, together with other trade unions and organizations, is calling for an “ENDO” of the contractualization system in the Philippines. Contractualization is actually bad not just for workers but for all Filipinos. It may take a decade of struggle, but right now, we can already do something about it.
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In August 2023, Ana Cecilia Salazar from the IYCW International Secretariat and John Ofori, PANAF coordinator, visited the Namibia YCW national movement. Their aim was to support new processes and promote YCW grassroots groups and the continuity of work with young workers.
The two international leaders first wanted to discover the context in which young workers lead and cope with life in their country, and one of the life testimonies they heard came from a Namibian YCW woman activist:
Guatemala YCW: Training in screen printing and sublimation to give young people access to employment
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Access to employment is one of the most fundamental rights, a guarantee of dignity and an essential means of subsistence for every human being. However, in a post-conflict country marked by poverty and low school enrolment, access to this essential right remains a distant goal. The Guatemalan labor market is almost entirely dependent on the informal economy, and the few formal jobs available are under constant threat from labor flexibility. Non-compliance with labor legislation, the weakness of labor-related institutions and the partisan politicization of access to employment exacerbate the job crisis. These problems are at the root of phenomena such as rampant crime and mass migration.
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As in every other part of the world, gender inequality is a reality in Germany, a European country with a population of over 83 million. Before the German YCW held its National Action Days in 2017, the movement had already pinpointed gender as one aspect leading to inequalities in society and felt the need to deepen its analysis on the issue. Its concrete starting point was the reflection in its action group on precarious work, which had identified the connection between precarious work and gender. Decision was made to set up a national action group on gender equality.
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In Mercedes, work is essentially dependent on the sea and its products. Economically speaking, fishermen's incomes are relatively low, and they can only provide for their families on a day-to-day basis. However, during the off-season (August-December), when weather conditions are unfavorable, they are out of work. Some are therefore forced to find alternative employment as carpenters or drivers in other localities.
There is no guarantee of income, security or safety in the fishermen's workplace. Their income depends solely on the fish they catch. Unfortunately, some of them suffer accidents and even death. Long working hours are also a feature of the job. Small-scale fishermen start work at 4:00 in the afternoon and finish at 6:00 in the morning the following day. Some go out to sea for 3 or 4 days and nights in a row.
