The African Trade Union Organizing and Collective Bargaining Strategic Forum took place in Kigali, Rwanda, from October 3-4, 2024, under the slogan “Building African Workers’ Power in Our Lifetime,” brought together 85 trade unionists from 28 African countries, including Belgium, Turkey and Ireland.
The forum focused on the theme: Organizing and Collective Bargaining: Collaborating to Improve Defence and Protection of Workers’ Rights and Drive Trade Union Regeneration. It addressed the critical need to strengthen the power and unity of African workers through organizing, collective bargaining, and fostering collaboration between trade unions and civil society organizations (CSOs).

This report is a synthesis of the engagements of six regional organizations that came together to advance and improve the spaces for the protection of the rights of migrant workers, including domestic workers who are often “hidden” yet exposed to more significant abuses and violations. The engagement period ran from 2016 (formation stages) to 2022 (signing of Memorandum of Understanding and implementing the agreed action points). The role and support of the International Labour Organisation, especially that of the Director-General and Bureau for Workers Activities (ACTRAV) staff is highlighted.

By: Dr. Alexander Preko and Dr.Hod Anyigba

According to
Article VIII (b), Ordinary Congress shall be convened every four years. Article VIII (c) states that the Congress shall be convened to consider and decide on the following (i) Reports on activities of the Regional Organisation, including financial reports; (ii) General trade union policy questions and resolutions; (iii) General questions of interest to working people which call for policy to be formulated to guide the Regional Organisation and member organisations; (iv) Proposals for the a ctivity of the Regional Organisation during the period to follow; (v) Proposals for amendments to the Constitution; (vi) Any other proposal submitted by member organisations; (vii) Nominations for the election of the General Council, the General Secretary and the Internal Auditors; (viii) Ratify applications for affiliation; (ix) ratify sanctions.

As a result of continued advocacy by trade unions, Somalia has made significant progress in its level and quality of engagement and consultation around national development processes. However, unions warn that insufficient resources have been allocated for SDG implementation.

Trade unions in Senegal want to contribute to the country’s effort to address the hardships workers face on a daily basis. The unions, therefore, ask to be more involved in the national plans and programmes for the implementation of the SDGs. They want to access information, participate in consultations and extend social dialogue to development issues related to workers’ living and working conditions.