AIBEA CIRCULAR - 22.11.2008

Circular No.26/2/2008/37 November 22, 2008

To All Units & Members,

Dear Comrades,
ARO bifu
Asian Regional Organization of Banks, Insurance &
Finance Unions successfully launched


Units and members are aware that in actualizing the long-drawn initiative to formalize and expand the co-ordination between the Unions in the Banks and Financial Sectors in the Asian Region, AIBEA was taking steps and our recent AIBEA Conference was decided to be the launching occasion for the same.

Accordingly as scheduled, on 15th November 2008, 68 Delegates from 20 Unions from 12 Countries participated in the launching ceremony.

S. No.
Name of the Country
Name of the Union / Association / Federation
1.
India
All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA)
All India Bank Officers’ Association (AIBOA)
2.
Pakistan
All Pakistan Federation of United Trade Unions (APFUTU)
All Pakistan Federation of Labour (APFOL)
3.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh Trade Union Congress (BTUC)
Bank Karmachari Federation, Bangladesh (BKF)
4.
Srilanka
Ceylon Bank Employees Union (CBEU)
5.
Nepal
Federation of Inter Bank Employees, Nepal (FIBE)
Nepal Bank Employees Association (NPEA)
Rashtriya Banijya Bank Employees’ Association, (RBBEA)
6.
Malaysia
National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE)
Association of Bank Officers, Malaysia (ABOM)
Association of May Bank Executives (AMBE)

7.
Taiwan
National Federation of Bank Employees Union (NFBEU)
8.
Philippines
Solidarity of Philipino Workers (BMP)
May Bank (Philippines) Employees Union (MBPEU)
9.
Vietnam
Vietnam National Union of Banking Workers (VNUBW)
10.
Korea
Korea Financial Industry Union (KFIU)
11.
Uzbekistan
State Institutions & Public Service Workers Trade Union (SI&PSWTU)
12.
Mauritius
State Employees Federation (SEF)


Delegations from China, Japan and Singapore could not attend the function due to organizational pre-occupations and had sent their solidarity messages.

Presidium: The meeting was jointly presided over by Com. Rajen Nagar (India), Com. M. R. Shah (Srilanka), Com. J. Soloman (Malaysia) and Com. Lai Wan Chih (Taiwan).

Declaration: The meeting after discussions adopted the following Declaration outlining the objectives:

To promote understanding and solidarity amongst the people, banks and financial sector employees in the Asian Region with the view to promote the development and harnessing of material and human resources for optimum national development.
Exchange of views among member organizations on matters of common interests.
Documentation of information relevant to the pursuance of common goals.
Carry out research on matters concerning contractualization, outsourcing, job insecurity, etc.
Extending solidarity and assistance to each other against suppression of trade union and basic human rights and against violation of international labour codes
Develop knowledge and leadership qualities of members.
Resist and oppose all forces which may attempt to hinder socio-economic growth of third world countries and in particular Asian Countries. ”

AROBIFU launched: After adopting the Declaration of Objectives, the new organization was christened as Asian Regional Organization of Banks, Insurance & Finance Unions (AROBIFU) which was received with full applause and cheers.

Constitution: The meeting thereafter adopted the Bye-laws / Constitution for the organization prescribing the rules, functional responsibilities, administration etc.
Directive Bureau: In terms of the constitution, the following Office-Bearers were elected.

President
Com. C.H. VENKATACHALAM (INDIA)
Vice Presidents
Com. J. SOLOMON (MALAYSIA)
Com. LEODY de GUZMAN (PHILIPPINES)
Secretary General
Com. M.R. SHAH (SRILANKA)
Asst Secretary General
Com. TARAKHAR ADHIKARI (NEPAL)
Treasurer
Com. LAI WAN CHIH (TAIWAN)
Assistant Treasurer
Com. PIRZADA IMTIAZ SYED, (PAKISTAN)

In addition, the Directive Bureau will consist of one representative from each member organization. AIBEA will be represented by Com. Rajen Nagar & AIBOA by Com. Alok Khare.

Comrades, AROBIFU is the expression of long-felt need for effective co-operation and co-ordination amongst the Unions in the banking and financial sector in the Asian Region.

AROBIFU is the manifestation of the growing fraternity and solidarity amongst the Banks and Financial Sector Unions in Asian Region.

AROBIFU is the reflection of the urge for common endeavours and initiatives against the growing attempts against the interests of our nations, economics and people, on our jobs and on our trade union rights in our Asian Region.

Just as we are playing an active role in UFBU, AIBEA should and would play a leading role in AROBIFU also.

From AIBEA, we welcome the launching of AROBIFU and pledge to work for its success.

With greetings,

Yours Comradely,
C.H. VENKATACHALAM
GENERAL SECRETARY


ASIAN BANK, INSURANCE AND FINANCE SECTOR WORKERS UNITY : ZINDABAD

AROBIFU : ZINDABAD