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Trade Unionists seek key role in Africa's social and economic development

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Trade Unionists seek key role in Africa's social and economic development

The 14th Congress of the African Regional Organization (AFRO) of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), co-hosted by the Union Générale Tunisienne du Travail (UGTT), was held in Hammamet,Tunisia, from 26 to 30 September 2005. Delegates from 60 affiliated national trade union centres representing 12.8m members in 47 countries in Africa and representatives from Global Unions and guests from a number of co-operating partner organisations and United Nations agencies took part in the quadrennial event organised under the theme ' A trade union vision for Africa for development challenges, organisation and social justice'.

In a 'Vision' paper presented to Congress, AFRO General Secretary, Andrew Kailembo, stressed the role of trade unionists in Africa's development and noted that the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) was in essence the external vision of development for the Continent and that this particular vision had now been accepted by African leaders and hailed by leaders of G-8 nations. Referring to the steady decline in trade union membership in Africa, he pointed out that radical economic reforms imposed by international financial institutions resulting in mass redundancies, investor-friendly labour laws, the HIV/AIDS pandemic and the growth of the informal sector had significantly contributed to the downward trend in membership and that declining membership had a decisive impact on trade union finances and called upon delegates to redouble their efforts to build upon past achievements of the movement in order to usher in an era of social justice, peace and economic prosperity for the people of Africa. Abdessalem Jrad, General Secretary, Union Générale Tunisienne du Travail (UGTT), in his address to Congress, outlined the challenges confronting African trade unions, emphasized the need for closer and more effective collaboration among trade unionists on the Continent and expressed solidarity with the people in the Middle East in their struggle against oppression.

Ali Chaouch, Tunisian Minister of Social Affairs and Solidarity, addressing delegates, reiterated his country's attachment to the African continent and her firm belief in finding appropriate solutions within the political, economic, cultural and social context of Africa, reaffirmed the Government's commitment to improving the economic and social well-being of the people and underscored the importance of constructive dialogue and consultation between social partners. Referring to the reforms of social security and labour laws, the Minister hoped that social protection would be extended to 95% of the population by 2009 in line with government policy.

Guy Ryder, General Secretary, ICFTU, in his address, hoped that the 14th Congress would take adequate steps to strengthen the trade union movement in Africa and called upon delegates to make every effort to promote trade unionism on the Continent.

The three-day Congress provided the opportunity for delegates to take a critical look at numerous challenges -economic growth, employment creation, poverty alleviation, workers' rights and gender equality in the workplace - facing trade unionists in Africa and discuss and build consensus on possible solutions. Delegates, while concurring with the need for strengthening trade union structures and institutions on the continent, called upon governments to take a serious view of the hardships faced by the majority of people in Africa and work in close collaboration with trade union organizations to alleviate poverty and achieve Millennium Development Goals.

Congress is the supreme authority of ICFTU-AFRO which brings together almost all mainstream trade union organisations in Africa and sets policy priorities and direction and elects its leaders for the following four years.

Pre-Congress activities held on 24-25 September included workshops on Gender Equality, Building Partnerships in Dealing with HIV/AIDS and Making NEPAD work for African workers,

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