The Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) Asia Pacific Regional Office convened the Global Organising Academy (GOA) Migration Workshop from 4–6 July 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The workshop brought together more than 30 trade union leaders from both countries of origin and destination to reinforce cooperation across labour migration corridors.

The initiative marks a significant step in advancing the BWI Global Migration Action Plan 2023–2026, aimed at delivering a sustained and coordinated response to the lived realities of migrant workers. Through a series of in-depth sessions, participants examined shared challenges, workplace conditions, labour migration laws and policies, ongoing campaigns in destination countries such as Malaysia, Qatar, Bahrain and Croatia, as well as perspectives from origin countries including Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Bangladesh and Nepal.

A key highlight of the workshop was the exchange of innovative organising tactics in restrictive environments. Participants shared successful strategies, from building community-based associations in contexts where formal unions are prohibited, to harnessing digital tools for outreach and organising. These discussions underscored the resilience and creativity of migrant worker movements despite facing the shrinking civic space.

The workshop concluded with the formulation of a two-year collaborative action plan between unions of countries of origin and destination, establishing clear objectives for coordinated cross-border campaigns in the lead-up to the BWI World Congress in 2026.

The workshop is firmly aligned with BWI’s Five Strategic Convergences for 2023–2026, particularly the pillars of ‘Inclusive Trade Unions’ and ‘Globalised Rights’. Building on decades of campaigning for migrant workers’ rights especially around mega-sporting events (such as FIFA World Cup), BWI reaffirms its commitment to organising across borders and strengthening trade union solidarity on a global scale.

BWI extends its deepest gratitude to PORTICUS, SASK, and Union to Union (UtoU) for their continued support, which was instrumental in making this workshop a meaningful and successful endeavour.