Publications

The State of Trade Unionism and Industrial Relations practice in Nigeria’s Export Processing Zones

11 June 2012

The expansion of Export Processing Zones (EPZs) across the world has been an attendant phenomenon to the globalising processes of neoliberalism in the past few decades. The EPZs are supposed to be vehicles for the attraction of much needed foreign direct investments for development by the world’s underdeveloped and less developed countries. Unfortunately, they have also become havens for some of the worst work practices and denial of workers’ rights to associate in defence of their rights and for the advancement of their interests, thus constituting one of the most inhumane “race to the bottom” characteristic of the neoliberal pathway to socio economic development of countries.

Trade Union Pluralism and Proliferation in French-Speaking Africa

19 August 2010

Collective bargaining is the key weapon in trade union action and, in order to negotiate, workers need organizations which are free, strong, democratic and independent. However, as the ILO’s celebrations of the 60th anniversary of these two Conventions come to an end, it is regrettable to observe a proliferation of trade union organizations in a number of African countries, particularly French-speaking ones.

Sourcebook on Economic Literacy for Trade Unions in Africa

12 September 2008

Most people find economics boring or intimidating. They tend to think that it is an area that is best left to the ‘experts’. The truth is that we are all part of the economy–workers, unemployed people, consumers, rich and poor. We all live the economy; we enjoy its benefits and suffer its failures and, therefore, we should have some say about how it works–what are the rules, who decides, who benefits. Economic literacy means having a basic understanding of how the economy works.

Organizing out of poverty: stories from the grassroots - How the SYNDICOOP approach has worked in East Africa

01 January 2006

The ILO SYNDICOOP approach shows that workers can be organized in a way that offers some improvements in their daily lives and provides the voice that workers need.The stories in this publication describe the difference that this approach has made in East Africa.

Trade Union Action against HIV/AIDS in Uganda: A Workers' Education Manual

01 January 2005

This manual has been developed jointly with the National Organisation of Trade Unions in Uganda and is aimed at educating trade union members on the subject of HIV and AIDS. The manual has a special focus on Uganda, but we believe it is also useful in helping trade unions and other organizations in other countries to advocate for active involvement of the workplace as the arena to fight stigma, discrimination and hostility associated with the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Trade Unions and Poverty Alleviation in Africa

01 January 2003

This book is a direct outcome of the regional workshop on ""Poverty Alleviation through Social Dialogue: the Role of Trade Unions in English-speaking African Countries"" which was held in Nairobi, Kenya in December 2001.
Bridging Africa's Digital Divide: The Role of Trade Unions in English-speaking Africa

01 January 2003

This is a report of the training workshop held at the Tom Mboya Labour College, Kenya in July 2003. The training workshop brought together 23 participants from 7 English-speaking African countries (Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zanzibar), resource persons from Kenya and Mauritius, and specialists from the ILO (Harare and Turin). In addition, there were representatives from regional trade union organisations (the African Regional Organisation of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU-AFRO) as well as the African Regional Organisation of the Union Network International (UNI-Africa).

The challenge of globalization in Africa: The trade union response

01 February 2001

Labour Education 2001/2 No. 123: While much has been written about these African problems, Labour Education looks at Africa from a different perspective. Africa has resources,both human and natural, it has potential markets and it has moved towards strengthening democracy. How can all this meet the challenges posed by globalization, how can Africa make globalization deliver to its citizens and how can unions contribute to this process? Many answers to these questions can be found in this issue, even if it does not claim to be exhaustive.

ILO