Women�s rights protection has gained advancement at the UN World Summit in New York, despite the lack of meaningful action o­n the total package under debate. The scope of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) o­n gender equality has been expanded from an initial focus o­n primary education to include an end to impunity for violence against women, universal access to reproductive health, the right to own and inherit property, equal access to labor protections, and increased representation of women in the government decision-making bodies. World leaders also agreed to repeal all laws that discriminate against women and to

implement the Security Council Resolution 1325 which promotes women�s enhanced participation in peace and security processes.

From the e-newsletter of the Asia Forum of Parliamentarians o­n Population and Development (AFPPD).

United Nations, New York City, September 14, 2005

After months of pressuring governments o­n women's rights, advocates from around the world have achieved some gains o­n gender equality in the World Summit outcome document, despite the lack of meaningful action o­n the total package under debate.

Advocates ensured that women's rights issues were not casualties of the Summit's high-stakes poker game. In fact, the Millennium Development Goal o­n gender equality (#3) has been expanded from an original focus o­n primary education to include the following:

� An end to impunity for violence against women

� The goal of universal access to reproductive health

� The right to own and inherit property

� Equal access to labor protections

� Increased representation of women in government decision-making bodies

In addition world leaders agreed to repeal all laws that discriminate against women and promised to implement the landmark Security Council Resolution 1325, which promotes women's increased participation in peace and security processes.

Our attention is attracted by the communication made by Ministry of Labour and Transport Management (MOLT) dated Sept 16, 2005 to all recognised 3 trade union centres along with the FNCCI. The threatening languages in the letter is surprising in the sense that a call is made o­n the propose amendment by Royal Regime by quoting "ministerial level decision" to send a written comment with in seven days and in case of no-comments the ordinance will be put forward as accepted by concerned parties.

Recognised trade union centres and employers organisation are the social partners o­n the equal footing the government. Therefore we, o­n behalf of thousands and thousands of workers affiliated to GEFONT, NTUC and DECONT would like to rememorize the government about the equal status of the social partners and we extend regret seriously and object o­n such types of autocratic process.

Considering the need of timely revisions in the labour act 1992 which was enacted just after the establishment of multi-party democracy with a view to regulate labour market of the county, the representatives of our national centres are in serious homework with the representative organisation of employers- FNCCI. In the course International Labour Organisation (ILO) also came into supportive involvement in the process where 7-point agendas was finalised to focus between two social partners and after conclusion of Second National Labour Conference of January 2005 consensus o­n 19 points principle could be made based o­n which taskforce with 3 each from both the sides is working o­n the issue of labour law amendment. In the situation the propose draft ordinance without consultation with employers and workers organisations has created serious doubt o­n the ill-intention of the regime.

CAW along with Tie Asia, was part of a Fact Finding mission to Nepal. In view of the struggle for democracy in Nepal, it was felt by both regional groups to have an independent outside view of the situation of women workers in the country ridden by political suppression and armed conflict.  As this is o­ne of the thmatic work areas of CAW, the fact finding was planned. The fact-finding team was in Katmandu from 8^th -18^th. September 2005.

Appeal Letter to Reinstate Agus Wahyuni

TO HSBC JAKARTAATTN: RICHARD McHOWATTFAX NUMBER +62 21 5211103