Trade Union Violations in the Africa & Arab regions (AFRECON)
24 September, 2015
Trade union rights violations are widespread in Africa and the Mena region, ranging from highly restrictive legislation on the right to organize in the public sector, interference in collective bargaining agreements, heavy fines and imprisonment for trade union activities and strikes.
Whereas trade union membership in the formal sector is often high, this often represents a minor fraction of the entire workforce. The restrictions for public sector workers to join unions and bargain also have a detrimental impact on others sectors. Trade union rights, decent work and democracy go hand in hand – PSI affiliates need to continue to build broad coalitions to overcome these many challenges.
The following presentations were made at the 12th Regional Conference for Africa & Arab countries held in Gaborone, Botswana 22-25 September 2015:
- Musa Mdluli, NAPSAWU General Secretary, Swaziland: Southern Africa
- Nadou Lawson-OLOUKOUNLE, FENASSEP-TOGO: West Africa (French)
- Ernest Nadome, Kenya Electrical Trades and Allied Workers’ Union: East Africa
- Randa Khaldi, PSI Coordinator in Jordan, Member of Administrative Board of General Trade Union of Workers in Health in Sector ( GTUWHS): Arab countries
- Sandra Vermuyten, PSI Head of Campaigns: Introduction and background document