ILO History Project – Africa Roundtable

The first preparatory Roundtable for the Africa Region, which is part of the ILO history project, was held at NEDLAC (National Economic Development and Labour Council) in Johannesburg, South Africa from 29 to 30 May 2013.

The Roundtable discussion revolved around the role of the ILO in the labour movement both during and after the apartheid era, starting from legitimizing the action against apartheid with the Discrimination Convention of 1964 and providing policy framework for it with a sustained action that showed apartheid as labour-related issue; to providing technical assistance to labour unions both in their formation as well as continued negotiations with employers’ and the government.

Following the 1994 election in South Africa and the opening of the ILO Office in Pretoria, participants shared their contributions and roles during major post-apartheid activities, including drafting of a new labour legislation and the creation of the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC); supporting different workers’ movements in the different areas of the country.

Participants in the Roundtable included representatives from trade unions, employers’ associations, current government as well as academicians.