Subject: A new member
From: Stirling Smith (stirlingsmith@email.msn.com)
Date: Sat Apr 17 1999 - 03:15:13 EDT
May I introduce myself to the list?
I have been involved in Central Asia since 1995, working with the trade
union movement. Trade unions (also known as labour unions in the USA) have
in many countries in the CIS, made a remarkable transformation from
instruments of the party into the largest component of civil society.
This is not consistent across the region, but the Kyrgyz unions we have met
have gone through a process of reform.
Most donor organisations do not recognise the potential of unions as
partners, or prefer to ignore it. But unions are a force for human rights
and the nearest thing to a pro-poor lobby in the region.
We - Labour and Society International - have held several workshops in
Kyrgyzstan for our union partners in 1997 and are hoping to launch another
project there within the next year. Developments within the Ferghana valley
are therefore of interest to us as it is an important factor in Kyrgyzstan.
I must say the range of members in the group is fascinating and I look
forward to it with interest.
Stirling Smith,
Consultant in Workers Education,
Labour and Society International,
46, Church Road,
BOLTON
BL1 6HF
ENGLAND
Tel: 00 44 1204 493515
Fax 00 44 1204 847525
Email:stirlingsmith@msn.com
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