General Libyan Union of Chambers of Commerce (GLUCC) trains its members on how to effectively manage an employer and business membership organization

During the period of 15th to 17th October 2024, a capacity development activity benefitting Libyan employers took place in the premises of the General Libyan Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Tripoli, Libya’s capital. 15 participants attended the training (of which 3 female), representing member chambers and other stakeholders of the GLUCC from throughout Libya. It is worth mentioning that this is the first capacity development activity to take place on Libyan ground since over 25 years and the significance of participation of representatives from different regions of Libya, which can play a positive effect on dialogue and have peacebuilding effects, needs to be specifically highlighted. Two designated officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs accompanied the proceeds of the training.

The objective of the training was to develop the capacity of GLUCC and its member chambers in the various regions of Libya on how to effectively manage employer and business membership organisations.

The training provided participants with an overview about the ILO history, governance structure, normative role, an introduction to ILS and supervisory mechanisms as well as an introduction to employers within the ILO. In terms of effective management of employer and business membership organisation, the training looked into issues and functions related to good governance, advocacy, communication, membership development and service development.

According to the evaluation of the training, participants, particularly appreciated the interactive training methodology, role plays and exercises, which made contents easy to comprehend and to engage with. Although, currently membership in chambers and GLUCC is mandatory, providing a somewhat comfortable situation, participant by the end of the training appreciated the possibility that such mandatory membership provisions may change in the future, putting their organisations at risk of direct competition from other organisations where membership is voluntary and recognized that there are within their current structures and underlying legal provisions opportunities to improve their membership, payment of membership fees, and enhanced service provision. Participants specifically requested that further cycles of the same training should be organized to benefit more participants, recommending that this takes place in other regions of Libya. They also commented that the three days duration of the training does not give justice to the richness of the training materials and recommended that future cycles of the same training would be longer in duration.

This training was made possible through a cooperation of ACTEMP and CO Algiers with the GLUCC, who provided the training venue and logistical support. The opening and closing ceremony both took place in the presence of the President of GLUCC Mr. Mohamed Raid and the Director of the ILO Office for Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia, Dr. Halim Hamzaoui as well as representative of the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The General Libyan Union of Chambers of Commerce (GLUCC) is the ILO employer constituent in Libya and represents the Libyan private sector through their member federations and associations throughout Libya.