Rebuilding Trade Union Capacity in Sierra Leone

Rebuilding Trade Union Capacity in Sierra Leone

TUC Aid, in a report to the Department for International Development on the Rebuilding Trade Union Capacity Project has highlighted a number of significant achievements in the protection and promotion of workers' rights in Sierra Leone.

The three-and-half-year Project funded by the Department for International Development, has, through a comprehensive programme of education and training, contributed to the building of capacity in unions to recruit and retain members and to strengthen trade union structures, institutions and networks. In addition, it has raised awareness of rights and entitlements of workers through advocacy and lobbying in collaboration with civil society while improving the knowledge of labour laws and expertise in collective bargaining of trade union officials and enabling them to hone their negotiating skills. The Project is also addressing issues relating to the protection and promotion of workers in the informal sector while paying special attention to the concerns, needs and interests of women trade unionists.

Project Impact

Since the launch in 2007, the Sierra Leone Labour Congress has consolidated its preeminent position as the national trade union centre in Sierra Leone and strengthened its bargaining power. The building of capacity in the affiliated unions has resulted in a 7.2% growth in membership compared to baseline data. SLLC affiliates are expected to redouble their efforts to recruit new members in the coming months in order to reach 20% target by the end of the Project in September 2010. The number of unions affiliated to the SLLC rose from 21 in 2007 to 25 in 2009 with the affiliation of four associations in the informal sector. This has enhanced the legitimacy and credibility of the SLLC to represent the interests of workers in the informal sector. The 20% increase in salaries of workers in the public sector and small increases in Hotel, Utilities, Construction and Industrial sectors were significant achievements attributable to the enhanced bargaining strength of the SLLC and its affiliates. The effectiveness of advocacy work on the rights of workers in the informal sector was evident in the spontaneous support received from workers and the public for labour action during a recent dispute involving an informal sector affiliate of the SLLC and the City Council over market dues. The increase in the number of rights-based complaints reported to the SLLC is indicative of the heightened awareness of workers' rights and entitlements. Moreover, there is evidence of closer and stronger links with affiliates due to their involvement in project activities. The officials of affiliates following their training in education, organising and health and safety have adopted effective recruitment strategies, put in place better health and safety systems at workplaces and are learning best practice. There has, however, been little progress on the ratification of ILO conventions on child labour and more pressure needs to be brought to bear on the Government in this regard.

Reduction of Poverty

Sierra Leone remains one of the poorest countries in the world. In 2007, it ranked 177^th out of the 177 countries based on 2005 data, according to the UNDP Human Development Index. The Project is making an indirect contribution to the reduction of poverty in Sierra Leone through the empowerment of workers and their representatives in the formal and informal sectors. It is also reasonable to anticipate a reduction in workplace accidents and injuries, following the health and safety training imparted to union officials, although this may take time to materialise. The lobbying of government agencies and local authorities on the rights and entitlements of informal sector workers has led to some improvement in their working conditions and in the outcomes of their interactions with local authorities.

Cross-cutting issues

The Project, through its rights-based approach, has addressed some of the concerns relating to gender, disability, HIV/AIDS and age. The SLLC and its affiliates are committed to gender equality and have adopted policies ensuring that women's participation does not fall below 30% in any activity or function. This needs to be rigorously adhered to, by the SLLC and affiliates in future. The SLLC is collaborating with the National HIV/AIDS Secretariat, women's organizations, youth leagues etc in an effort to sensitize the people to the risk of infection. HIV-AIDS-related issues and the need for elimination of stigma and discrimination and for the protection of the rights of PLWHAs have been discussed in the Health and Safety training programmes. Some 150 HIV-AIDS workplace committees have been set up in various workplaces including educational establishments. Youth leaders and women's leaders have already received training in leadership skills under the Project. Problems relating to disability have been discussed in workshops, though no concrete action has been agreed.

Engagement with Government

Following the decade long civil war, two elections have been held and the peaceful political climate has strengthened unions' opportunities for successfully engaging with government. The President of the Republic expressed support for the Project at the launch of the training and educational material in August 2008 when over 2000 people marched through Freetown to a celebratory event.

The Government has now restored certifications to the SLLC affiliates in recognition of their role and functions in the national collective bargaining process. The SLLC has been able to engage in policy dialogue with the SL Government on governance issues. It takes active part in the African Peer Review Mechanism, Political Parties Registration Commission and in the Privatisation Commission. The participation in the Labour Law Review Technical Committee will enable the SLLC and its affiliates to impress upon the Government the need for better protection of workers' rights and entitlements.

Challenges

The Sierra Leonean economy is forecast to grow despite the global recession at a slower rate than in the past. There are new opportunities and challenges for the trade union movement. The workers are enjoying the benefits of some rights and entitlements enshrined in ILO Conventions ratified by the country due to the impact of the Project activities. However, the difficulties relating to the effective enforcement of existing labour laws and enactment of new labour laws persist. The SLLC needs to avail itself of its position on the Labour Law Review Technical Committee to consolidate the achievements of the Project and build on them to further the interests of Sierra Leonean workers. Engagement with young workers who move in and out of employment and often work in the informal sector is also a priority in a workforce where young people predominate and may be the sole income earners for their families.

The Project activities estimated to cost £400,000 over a period of three and half years will be completed by the end of September 2010.