Nedlac and ILO Champion Social Dialogue Across Africa

In a move to foster effective social dialogue across Africa, the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) hosted a hybrid Social Dialogue Information Sharing Symposium on September 5, 2024.

The symposium was aimed to provide a platform for social dialogue institutions primarily from Africa to share their experiences and learn from each other on best practices. The event featured a series of presentations and discussions focusing on the mandates, roles, compositions, functions, and structures of various social dialogue institutions. Participants shared their successes, challenges, and lessons learned in achieving effective social dialogue.

Key highlights of the Symposium included country presentations by representatives from South Africa, Algeria, and Senegal. Ms. Lisa Seftel, Executive Director touched on NEDLAC structure, functions, some key activities, successes and challenges over the 30 years of NEDLAC’s existence. All the way from Algeria, Ms. Rabia Kharfi of Algeria’s National Economic, Social and Environmental Council also shared experiences on social dialogue in North Africa. President of the High Council for Social Dialogue Ms. Innocence Ntap, presented on behalf of Senegal.

ILO Director, Mr. Alexio Musindo, presented on ILO support to social dialogue organisations and tripartite alliances in Africa. In order to strengthen social dialogue in Africa, this includes promotion of implementation of ILO Conventions that support social dialogue; capacity building of tripartite partners, including on negotiation skills; labour law reforms to provide the legal effect to operation of institution; promotion of social dialogue in the context of regional integration; and promotion of south – south cooperation.

A very participative information session followed with participants from various countries in attendance, from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and others participating virtually from Namibia, Kenya, Madagascar and Mali to name a few.

At the end of the Symposium, consensus was reached on the following:

1. Best practices be exchanged, but adapted to the national context;
2. The political home of national dialogue institutions needs to be clarified;
3. Institutions need to take their own initiatives and not to respond to the government and be able to take issue for public debate;
4. There should be mechanisms of how institutions relate to other bodies such as the Commissions for Human Rights;
5. The issue of representativity by different constituencies needs to be addressed;
6. Institutions needs to develop indicators to measure their performance; and enhance their participation in the UN processes.

The physical session concluded with a networking dinner and a celebration of NEDLAC’S 30 years existence. The session provided participants an opportunity to engage and build connections.

This symposium was a precursor to NEDLAC's Annual Summit, which brings together a larger delegation of social partners from organised business, community, government, and organised labour to engage on issues of national interest.