The Inaugural Meeting of the Asian Regional Organisation of Banks, Insurance & Finance Unions was held on 15th November, 2008, in New Delhi.

62 delegates representing 20 trade unions in the banking, insurance & finance sectors and other national level unions from the following countries assembled in New Delhi on 15th November, 2008 in this launching ceremony.

India,Pakistan,Bangladesh,Sri Lanka,Nepal,Malaysia,Taiwan,
Philippines,Vietnam,Korea,Usbekistan,Mauritius,Greece,Ireland.

Com. C.H.Venkatachalam, General Secretary of the All India Bank Employees' Association who was the convenor of this event, reported to the conference that leaders from trade unions from several Middle East Countries, who were due to participate in this conference could not do so due to difficulty in obtaining visa in view of the Ramazan festival. Com. Venkatachalam announced that 62 foreign delegates were participating in the conference which was being held concurrently with the 63rd Anniversary and the 26th Conference of the AIBEA.

Com. Rajan Nagar, President -AIBEA (India), Com. M.R.Shah, President- CBEU (Sri Lanka), Com. J.Solomon, General Secretary-NUBE (Malaysia) and Com. Lai Wan Chih, President-(NFBEU), Taiwan, were unanimously elected as Joint Pro-tem Chairmen.The Inaugural session was conducted by Com. M.R.Shah.

Com.C.H.Venkatachalam - AIBEA - India
Labour Strength should be Globalised

Delivering the welcome address stated that he was happy for three reasons of being privileged of meeting the delegates present, formation of the AROBIFU and promotion of unity among workers in the region. He emphasised that it was hardly necessary to make special mention of the reason for our meeting. All participants wer seasoned campaigners who have relentlessly fought for the upliftment of the service and living conditions of their members. It was time for us to reflect on globalisation, neo-colonialism, free movement of capital etc. It was time for trade unions to acquire greater awareness of the exploited masses, national level economic and social issues. Our countries in the Asian Region are entrusted with a historic task. Globalisation is making an extraordinary and severe impact within this region.Politicians in this region, under various pressures, are keen to expand globalisation.They inact legislation necessary for that purpose even by compulsion. We should be more attentive to issues like job security, minimum wages, employees' welfare and human & trade union rights. We are fighting against anti-people, anti-working class tendencies. We have been engaged in a dialogue with the Asian Bank Employees' leadership for two decades. We are keen to forge Regional Unity. We identify solidarity movements. We activate them. Some linkages are temporaty and some are of a long lasting nature.In our copuntries there are samll unions, large unions, different forms of governments. There are various levels of sustainability amongst us. Our target should be to globalise trade union strength and dominance of labour. The CBEU has acted with great commitment to bring about some alliance in the Asian Region banking and finance sector. The Anuradhapura Declaration signed in Sri Lanka in August 2008 was the result of it. I am informed that even countries in South Africa and Middle East have shown an interest in our conference. We should intervene in issues such as human rights of people in Asia, their tradee union rights and outsourcing etc.

Contribution of Com. Tarakeswar Chakraborti

We should with gratitude, remember that since 1977, Com Tarakeswar Chakraborti had been interested in forging an Asian Alliance. He maintained a dialogue with unions in Sri Lanka, Nepal, Malaysia, Pakistan and Bangladesh. There were difficulties in carrying forward this process. Our dreams came true because of our national level struggles in the past two years.

Multinational Bank Owners' Pressures
Multinational bank managements are introducing repressive stringent regulations to Asian Countries. In the course of our exercise in forging an alliance, we have also to take into consideration these repressive regulations. Our Comrades in Nepal, Malaysia and Pakistan are engaged in struggles in connection with national questions. In India we are launching a relentless struggle for 15 years against privatisation. In Philippines our Comrades are engaged in a bitter struggle against outsourcing. Bank Unions in Taiwan are fighting retrenchment. Multinational banks are trying to set up anti-working class regime in this region. We have identified the limits of our struggle. Political changes, fluctuations in balance of power, cultural barriers stand in the way of our alliance. We can overcome language differences. We can overcome all these obstacles and establish an alliance. We respectfully seek your views and proposals. It will be ideal if we cqn mobilise bank employees at a global scale. This is a very useful beginning. We have 15 countries. We should mobilise the largest possible sectionof the international working class.We do not expect a revelution oveernight. There are so many things we can win through struggle.We should study every issue in depth and expose it. The present global situation is advantageous to us. We cqn go forward on the basis of your proposals. The process of achieving our target is not an easy exercise.Our unity can surmount all obstacles and challenges. We are delighted about your visit to India. Your suggestions will go into history. They will be useful. Today's declaration will be of historic significance. Last night we had an informal discussion. According to the consensus arrived at there, I suggest AROBIFU, as the name of our organisation. The declaration and the structure of the organisation will be made available.

Com. J.Solomon - NUBE - Malaysia

The name AROBIFU was formally proposed by Com. Solomon as the name of the organisation and was accepted by all, amidst applause.Com. Solomon also presented to the conference the declaration and the constitution of the organisation and opened the house for comments and views.
Com. Wajedul Islam Khan of Bangladesh expressing his views, stated that everyone should salute Com. Tarakeswar Chakraborti, who first mooted the concept of regional alliance and that our aim should be to achieve regional solidarity. He also stated that we should struggle against suppression of human and trade union rights within the region and our objective should be clearly ennunciated in the constitution.
While Com. Pirzada Imtiaz Syed of Pakistan and Com. Regie of Philippines expressed their agreement to this suggestion, Com. Radhakrishna Sadien of Mauritius, stated that the message of the formation of the regional organisation shlould be made known extensively, at this moment when the whole world has become the victim of globalisation.

Com. S.Mahadevan - Deputy General Secretary - WFTU

Com. Mahadevan speaking at this forum as a special guest, expressed that he was happy that a Bank & Finance sector organisation, which was a long felt need in this region, has been established. This is the need of the hour. We appreciate this pioneering of the AIBEA. "Workers of the World Unite", so said Mark 100 years ago. We should make that slogan a reality. Although our hands are not in chains, our brains are chained. A dreadful virus is spreading throughout the world. We have become vixtims of that Washington Virus. The World Bank, IMF, WTO physicians prescribe LPG, Liberalisation, Privatisation and Globalisation as a panacia for our countries. However, the shole world has become sick due to these drugs. Workers should unite against political ideologies which promote them. Struggles should be launched against monopolistic capital. Bank employees should be able to change the existing situation. Bank employees possess valuable weapons. We should oppose the myth of the free market. We should develop our linkages. Communication is a powerful weapon today. The WFTU, which intervened in certain issues in Philippines, gives priority to preserve working class unity. Violation of international labour laws should also be highlighted. Long Live your solidarity.

Com. M.R.Shah - CBEU - Sri Lanka

Com. Shah emphasised that from now onwards, Asian Region bank employees will find shelter under one regional banner. At this historic moment, the recaled the guiding leadership of Com. Tarakeswar Chakraborti, towards unity amongst bank employees beyond borders. It was due to his efforts that we have now been able to rally round under a strong regional organisation today. He did lay the foundation in 1997 in Colombo for our today’s successful event in New Delhi. Com. Tarakesh was not only a guiding leader of ours, but also a fatherly figure who gave us courage and confidence in our endeavours in the direction of working class activities. In that context it is our duty to mark our respect to Com. Tarakesh and suggested that a two minute silence be observed in memory of Com. Tarakesh.

Ms.Jescintha - IBOA - Ireland

This is a fantastic occasion. You should become more and more powerful and militant. We salute for your valient effort.
Com. George Pontikos of Greece and Com. Chong Miong Hee of Vietnam Confederation of Labour extended their good wishes for the Regional Organisation. Greetings were also offered by representatives from Usbekistan, Kenya, Taiwan, Pakistan and Nepal.

The following representatives of the respective organisations signed the joint declaration.

1. AIBEA - India - Com. Rajan Nagar
2. CBEU - Sri Lanka - Com. M.R.Shah
3. NUBE - Malaysia - Com. J.Solomon
4. APFTU - Pakistan - Com. Pirzada Imtiaz Syed
5. FIBEN - Nepal - Com. Tarakhar Adhikari
6. NFBEU - Taiwan - Com. Lai Wan Chih
7. KFIU - Korea - Com. Kim In Yeol
8. BTUC - Bangladesh - Com. Wajedul Isalm Khan
9. BKF - Bangladesh - Com. Aminul Haque Faroque
10. BMP - Philippines - Com. Leody Guzman
11. AIBOA - India - Com. R.J.Sridharan
12. NBEA - Nepal - Com. Dhurbaman Pradhan
13. RBBEA - Nepal - Com. Shivakumar Adhikari
14. SIPSWTU - Usbekistan - Com. Khalilov SH
15. SEF - Mauritius - Com. Sadien Radhakrishna
16. MBPEU - Philippines - Com. Reginald Ricohernoso

In order to proceed with the official functions of the meeting, Com. Solomon of NUBE was elected the Pro-tem Chairman, whose name was proposed and seconded by Com. Rajan Nagar and M.R.Shah respectively.

The discussion on the adoption of the constitution was opened to the house by Com. Solomon and in the course of the discussion, Com. Radhakrishna suggested that the annual minimum membership fee should be marked as US$ 200/- and any organisation could make voluntary contributions in excess of such minimum fee. He also suggested that the calendar year to be reconned as this year and the quprum of the membership meeting to be 1/3 of the total membership. These suggestions were seconded by Com. Alok Khare of AIBOA. Subject to these amendments, the constitution was adopted.

Election of Office Bearers

Com. C.H.Venkatachalam, General Secretary of the AIBEA was unanimously elected the President of the organisation. He was proposed and seconded by Com. M.R.Shah and Com. Solomon respectively.

Com. Shah proposed and Com. Rajan Nagar seconded the names of Com. J.Solomon and Com. Leody Guzman, who were unanimously elected to the two posts of Vice Presidents.

Com. Rajan Nagar porposed and Com. Wajedul Islam Khan seconded the name of Com. M.R.Shah for the post of Secretary General and was unanimously elected.

Com. Tarakhar Adhikari of Nepal was unanimously elected the Deputy Secretaty General. He was proposed and seconded by Com. Syed and Com Wajed respectively.

Com. Lai Wan Chih was unanimously elected the Treasurer with his name being proposed by com. Radhakrishna and seconded by Com. M.R.Shah.

Com. Pirzada Syed Imtiaz was proposede by Com. Tharakhar Adhikari to the post of Assistant Treasurer and seconded by Com. Alok Khare. He was unanimously elected.

The following representatives of the respective organisations were elected to the directive bureau.

1. Com. Rajan Nagar - AIBEA India
2. Com. Sayed M Hussain Naqvi - APFTU Pakistan
3. Com. Chong Meong Hee - KFIU Korea
4. Com. Wajedul Islam Khan - BTUC Bangladesh
5. Com. Ahamed Choudry - BKF Bangladesh
6. Com. Tiody Michelle - BMP Philippines
7. Com. Alok Khare - AIBOA India
8. Com. Dhurbaman Pradhan - NBEA Nepal
9. Com. Shiva Adhikari - RBBEA Nepal
10. Com. Djoriya Alimxodjaeva - SIPSWTU Usbekistan
11. Com. Radhakrishna Sadien - SEF Mauritius
12. Com. Reginald Ricohernoso - MBPEU Philippines

The rest of the organisations consented to nominate their representatives to the directive bureau, after consultation with their official bodies.

Com. Shah thanking the members for electing him as the first Secretary General of the Regional Organisation, stated that the task of setting up of the Regional Organisation, which was initiated by Com. Tarakeswar Chakraborti has been successfully completed by Com. Venkatachalam. He further expressed his gratitude to Com. Solomon and Com. Lai who too were encouragingly promoted the formation of the Regional Organisation. He also stated that we have a demanding task ahead and urged the members to prepare to fight injustice, poverty and oppression on returning to their countries.

Com. Venkatachalam, stated that within a short period of time we have been able to organise 15 countries. Today we have 24 countries and 62 delegates present in this historic event. The Secretary General of our organisation would be more powerful than the Secretary General of the United Nations. Whenever there is oppression of workers, wherever there is injustice, we intervene promptly. We can set an example to this region. Asia has already become the headquarters of multinational capitalists. We should fight not only for our rights but also against exploitation of suffering masses and unorganised workers. We should not forget that majority of common people live without even basic amenities. We have no doubt that our mission will succeed.

I am happy that India has been chosen as the platform for this exercise. Our Secretary General Com. Shah is from Sri Lanka, Vice President is from Malaysia. Another Vice President is from Philippines, our young militant leader Com. Leody Guzman. Treasurer Com. Lai is from Taiwan and the Assistant Treasurer is from Pakistan, Com. Imtiaz. Com. Tarakhar Adhikari is the Deputy Secretary General who is from Nepal. At this moment, when Asia has become the target of Neo-capitalism, action will be taken to strengthen our alliance.

Speaking further, Com. Venkatachalam said, that I did not know that I was a victim of exploitation until I joined the bank union. I did not know that my people, kith and kin were subjected to exploitation. My parents, teachers did not tell me about it. My wife and children do not know that we are being exploited. They are not aware that we are being shackled. It was my trade union which made me aware of it. It was from my trade union that I learnt about exploitation and all the views and ideologies of fighting against it.

The delegation from Vietnam attracted the most attention amongst all the foreign delegates. They earned the respect of everyone in the conference, because of their heroic struggle against American Imperialism and invasion. Com. Venkatachalam introduced them to the audience by reciting the slogan,

“Meranam Vietnam”
“My name Vietnam”
“Your name Vietnam”
“Zindabad Vietnam”

The proceedings of the conference successfully concluded giving more and more strength to the historic Asian Regional Organisation of Banks, Insurance & Finance.