The Initiatives for Workers Solidarity (IWS) in Asia and the Pacific recently organized its inaugural Workers Study Conference (WSC) in Bangkok, Thailand. Held from 23-24 November 2024, the conference focused on the theme: “Workers Study Conference on Informality and Solidarity: Solidarity Amidst the Changing Nature of Work in Asia and the Pacific.” It brought together 39 participants from 29 organizations across 15 countries in the region.
The WSC marked the first major event hosted by IWS Asia and the Pacific. During the two-day gathering, panelists shared insights on informality and solidarity, delving into evolving and traditional forms of informality while exploring strategies for fostering solidarity among workers in the region. Participants included representatives from informal workers’ organizations, such as delivery app riders, plantation workers, and fisherfolk, as well as groups that provide support to these workers.
Organizers noted that while informality is pervasive across Asia and the Pacific, defining it consistently remains a challenge. They emphasized that perceptions of informal work vary widely across countries and sectors, reflecting the complexity and diversity of the issue. It was also highlighted that while there is no universally agreed-upon definition of “informal work,” a shared characteristic among those engaged in such work is the lack of access to social protection.
IWS Asia and the Pacific is a Thailand-registered organization committed to uniting workers in the region. Its mission is to protect workers’ rights, promote their well-being, encourage worker cooperation, and strengthen labor solidarity within the sector and across communities.
