As part of the Global Unions Tsunami Solidarity (GUTS) programme, co-operating partners including EI launched the Tsunami Skills Development and Vocational Training project in the Aceh province in Indonesia. A Manpower Training Centre was set up in this area most affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami, and the centre aims to train 300 persons over the next 12 months in various skills.
The project is co-ordinated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Asia -Pacific Regional Office (ICFTU-APRO) of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), the Global Union Federations (GUF) including EI, as well as the Indonesian Trade Union Centre (ITUC). The launching ceremony took place on 27 Feb 2006, and was attended by representatives of all the co-operating partners. Noriyuki Suzuki, General Secretary of the ICFTU-APRO, in the opening ceremony conveyed his appreciation and thanks to the ILO for its support in providing the training facilities as well as to the donors for their generous contributions. The GUTS Programme is a joint effort designed to aid workers and their families whose lives were under threat after the Tsunami disaster of 26 Dec 2004. Under the programme, several projects are being developed. Specifically in the Aceh province, the projects centre around trade union awareness, leadership training, organising, gender equality, publication of trade union materials, occupational health and safety (OSH), English language classes, computer skills training etc. A Global Unions Workers Welfare Centre has also been established in the office building of EI affiliate PGRI in the city of Banda Aceh. EI's Tsunami Rehabilitation Programme is also building 28 fully furbished and equipped schools in Indonesia, in co-operation with NOVIB (Oxfam Netherlands). For more information, please contact us at our headoffice.