Marginalised individuals within the labour movement in Asia need space to discuss the main challenges both in our work and because of our work. This course offers a series of targeted discussions to share our creative ideas for tackling the barriers within the movement.
Building A Gender-Inclusive Labour Movement
Course Description
Marginalised individuals* within the labour movement in Asia need space to discuss the main challenges both in our work and because of our work. This course offers a series of targeted discussions on diverse topics to share our creative ideas for tackling the barriers we face within the movement. This approach of discussing narrow topical issues that fall within broad topics of the movement will give participants the opportunity to share their personal experiences, exchange ideas, and posit novel approaches. Participants will work together to understand the challenges and potential solutions in a collaborative environment with the goal of systemic change from the inside out.
*This course is open to registrants who identify as women, non-binary, and other marginalised gender identities only.
- Teaching: 6 Weekly Online Sessions / 1.5 hour per session
- Course Fee: USD$60 (Regular Price) / USD$40 (Students/Workers/Unemployed)
- Class Size: Class Limited to 15 Students
Course Facilitator
Emotion of Labour is a collective of women labour activists in Asia, envisioning a more democratic and inclusive labour movement. We hope to build a supportive community to foster stronger relationships between women in the labour movement across countries in Asia. We look to establish gender-inclusive safe spaces in the movement to share and openly express ourselves and strive to amplify the voices of women workers, labour activists and organizers.
Class Time
- 4pm: Pakistan
- 4:30pm: India/Sri Lanka
- 5pm: Bangladesh
- 5:30pm: Myanmar
- 5:45pm: Nepal
- 6pm: Indonesia/Thailand/Cambodia/Vietnam
- 7pm: Hong Kong/Taiwan/China/Philippines/Singapore/Malaysia
- 8pm: Japan/Korea
Class Project
This course is organized around topical themes and is based on group discussions and sharing of personal experiences. Due to the limits of time, a theme or aspect of a discussion may pique participants’ interest for further reflection and concept development outside of the course. We invite all course participants to reflect on the discussions in the course and write a brief reflection paper, personal essay, or piece of creative writing to be submitted before the final day of the course to share with all participants. Participants are also invited to submit their reflections to the Emotion of Labour zine.
Weekly Class Schedule
Session 1 – April 2, 2025: Toward A More Democratic Labour Movement
In this introductory session, we will get to know each other and discuss what it means for the labour movement to be more inclusive and democratic.
Session 2 – April 9, 2025: Labour Organizing and the International Labour Movement
How can the range of players in the labour rights field work together for a more sustainable movement that realises systemic change?
Session 3 – April 16, 2025: Economic Rights and Social Protection
The fundamental question of work is the exchange of labour for remuneration. Should this question also be the main focus of the labour movement?
Session 4 – April 23, 2025: The Right to Health
What are threats to workers’ health, and how do they disproportionately affect women and gender minorities?
Session 5 – April 30, 2025: Workplace Safety
Workplace safety is linked to health, gender disparity, disability, and other topics. How can the labour movement better protect all workers?
Session 6 – May 7, 2025: Course Reflection
In this session, we will reflect on the course as a whole and wrap up our discussions.
To contact us: convenor@labourschool.org
