OATUU WOMEN CONFERENCE HELD ON THE SEPTEMBER 2014 AT SAROVA STANLEY HOTEL IN NAIROBI KENYA

Transcription

1 OATUU WOMEN CONFERENCE HELD ON THE SEPTEMBER 2014 AT SAROVA STANLEY HOTEL IN NAIROBI KENYA The Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) held a women conference hosted by Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) in KENYA under the theme Organising Informal Economy Workers into Trade Unions. The conference was attended by senior personnel from Government departments, International Labour Organisation(ILO) ACTRAV/ Brussels and ILO Regional Director for Africa, StreetNet, the former OATUU executive members, the current Leadership of OATUU and the delegates from the following countries :- 1. Algeria 2. Chad 3. Cote de Ivore 4. Gambia 5. Ghana 6. Guinea 7. Egypt 8. Elitrea 9. Ethopia 10. Kenya 11. Lesotho 12. Liberia 13. Malawi 14. Mauritius 15. Mali 16. Mozambique 17. South Africa 18. South Sudan 19. Swaziland 20. Tanzania 21. Togo 22. Zanzibar 23. Zimbambwe 1 P age OATUU women Conference September 2014 KENYA

2 The conference opened by OATUU Secretary General Mr. Owei Lakemfa he welcomed everybody and appreciated the coordinators, he stressed the importance of women being integrated in the leadership and emphasised to the conference that if women themselves don t make sure that women are in key decision making positions therefore the OATUU vision of putting women is not going to be realised. OATUU has dynamic and capable women to be in leadership but women had not yet played their role that they are supposed to play of make sure that women are elected in the key decision making positions. He reminded delegates that OATUU Conference in 2006 adopted a charter for socioeconomic right for women and subsequently in 2009 adopted the gender policy, but the challenge is these policies need to be reviewed but at the main is to make sure that women in OATUU does know about these documents and are able to implement in their different spheres. OATUU did made strides such that the chairperson and secretary of the women commission seat as ex-officio in the Executive council but more need to be done. He also expressed his confidence that this historic first step and journey that the commission has taken today will lead to the commissioning of a strong and vibrant Pan African Organisation. OATUU has in the past years tried and commissioned the study which the results argued strongly of an urgent need to improve the lives of African Women on ensuring that the organisation run awareness campaigns for women rights and mainstreaming issues of gender to improve the right of women. The secretary general emphasised that OATUU s wish is to see this women commission that is launched initiating the women worker program which is implementable at the national, continental, regional and internationally, a program which will be able to take forth women empowerment. The gender policy of OATUU recognises that circumstances of workers differs from each other and it is therefore a responsibility of OATUU to level the field for women because when you Educate a women you educate a trade union and when you Organise for a women you organise for a trade union. He stressed that the theme of this conference was consciously taken because organising the informal economy is the duty of the trade union and majority of workers in the informal economy are women therefore women would understand the challenges of the informal environment better than the male counterparts. The executive well understood that two days is not enough but the participants have to make sure that they use this two days effectively for the organisation. 2 P age OATUU women Conference September 2014 KENYA

3 He conclude his address by saluting and honouring the women workers who were there in the workers struggle but who made sure that women issues forms part of the agenda in the workplace,trade union and communities, Heroines like Ruth First South African socialist thinker killed with a letter bomb by South African Apartheid government,clara Zetkin German socialist who organised international women day and Wangari Muta Maathai Kenyan who was internationally recognized for her persistent struggle for democracy, human rights and environmental conservation He also concluded by recognising and emphasising on the EBOLA crisis that has affected everybody in the continent and more especially working class, and that we all agree that the decease needs special and urgent attention but also condemns the closure of borders for brothers and sisters. The challenge of the lay-off in the workplace its a critical matter for discussion. The general secretary appreciated everybody who attended specially StreetNet and ILO who plays an important role in the subject of the informal economy and ILO ACTRAV for assisting with resources to ensure that delegates attend. He concluded with the appreciation of the government of the African countries who are consciously leading to ensure that the African people and more especial workers are treated with dignity. ILO Regional Director for Africa Aenas Chuma Issue of informal and bringing women in the central role is in a central issue to the agenda of ILO Women in Informal economy and women migrant workers are the worst discriminated interms of gender Informal economy women make a sizeable contribution but often not recognised Women are concentrated in the lowest paid job and child labour becomes the most challenging issue in the informal economy Those engage in informal remain trapped in poverty for the long time Strengthen of legal protection of all sectors is at the heart of Decent Work in all country programs Negative aspects of informal is far of to become a positive one, ILO 2014 in its Conferene put the agenda in the Agenda to resume transforming the industry from informal to formal but also to demystify the negative perceptions of the sector In Africa farms 70 % traded by women which 30 % in Sub Saharan countries are in the forestry 3 P age OATUU women Conference September 2014 KENYA

4 Trade unions has taken among themselves to launch Media campaigns to combat trafficking but there is a need for more effort and special attention of this sector. Work done by the employees and employers in promoting the right of informal workers should be more published Most vulnerable and poorest are to found in the informal these workers need a voice labour movement need to adapt immediately to include the informal workers on top of the union Agenda To realise decent work need to put informal economy in the center of the trade union Agenda Trade union must start dialogues on the establishment of workers cooperatives to come out with innovative ways Until the vision of informal economy is realised trade unions must pick up their campaigns to make sure that all workers are included in the Decent Work country programs President of OATTU Francis Atwoli The president thanked the coordinators of this historic event of Women of OATUU and most of all gathering in the Hotel which is associated with workers as during colonial system was one of the hotels which was intimidated by the state as it was hosting the workers and political leaders 100 % in the hands of workers labour day celebrations are done here The following were the reflections from the President Acknowledge the presence of the Chairperson of the standing committee of labour on the Government Senate of KENYA- the Senator which is a trade unionist part and parcel of the trade union movement in Mombasa and a senator which is close to the workers heart senator who is fighting for the justice of workers Acknowledge and recognised women who have represented African women in all the structures from trade union to international platforms Must have strong women within the structures of OATUU We have to recognise the difficulty to organise in the informal as trade unionist but also understand the important role played by workers within those precarious employment and an important role that the trade union has to play in making sure that those workers have rights like any other worker He acknowledge admire all those brothers and sister who work tireless to organise and promote the right of workers in the informal economy especially sister Pat Horn (StreetNet) 4 P age OATUU women Conference September 2014 KENYA

5 COTU need to take from where comrades like Thom Boya left from what he believes in, who his life was cut shot by being gunned down after advocated for the industrial court to champion the workers rights This conference is very important for women and more especially OATUU therefore thanked everybody who made sure that this conference becomes a success. This conference comes at the time when lots of women workers are joining the trade union in numbers but they are still no were in the leadership position 70 % of women total force are women but want to see more in top leadership, speaking on behalf of everybody leading unions,only one union in Kenya who has a woman as General Secretary and she is leading that union very well. In the entire region is only Sudan which has a quote number of women who are in Key positions- women workers are more in parliament than men challenging all the trade unions and affiliates of OATUU to emanate from what the Sudans have achieved He want to see more affiliates in all the centers where OATUU is organised to have a strong women leadership. As a General Secretary of COTU deputised by a female comrade, is confident that her deputy can lead the union and he is ready to move and give space for her. OATUU is keen to work in the whole continent and work with ITUC internationally OATUU to engage leaders in the continent and in the regional continental position, OATUU has to play a vital role on the tripartite alliance in this continent engage with the AU and the Head of state OATUU need to discover what was done by the former leaders and invade that as new leadership to learn from those experiences Thank the government of GHANA to give OATUU the big junk of land for OATUU to be able to have a training / labour college to empower workers in the continent OATUU is not in the position to tolerate members of state who want workers to submit themselves on them as individuals in the expense of the interest of workers. OATUU and its affiliates must strengthen its fight against the schemes more especially social protections that continuously increase deduction from the workers who are contributing to that fund Nobody will stop him as the G/s of COTU or President of OATUU will continue to advocate for the right of the workers Minister of Labour in KENYA since his appointment have never met workers want to influence the social protection that is against the workers rights want to be above president and parliament Worn him not to make KENYA s workers to loose their head and remove him from that parliament If it means that the KENYA s has to go back in the old history let him do that and the power of KENYAN people has been tested enough 5 P age OATUU women Conference September 2014 KENYA

6 Senator Justice (Rtd) Stewart Madzayo KENYA chairperson of standing committee on labour social committee He started his remark with the case study of a female worker who worked for the bank and became pregnant and experienced complications during her pregnancy. The employer terminated her employment employers lawyers argument was that the women falls pregnant every year but his argument was that women are producing the future workers of this country, without women falling pregnant there won t be a country and future workers. This conference comes when issues of gender equality are at the agenda of every platform Women have to fight against discrimination in the workplace community and trade unions but also campaign for the increase of pay in the lower paid sectors Gender remains a social labour market for discrimination When union attempt to join the trade unions more chances of them being victimised are high and women continue to be disadvantaged in all sectors of power but also women are more likely to be victims of labour system than their male counterparts MOST Important role of gender in the trade unions is to make sure that all the national and international treaties are observed, respected and implemented Trade Unions can play a most vital role in improving gender equality in employment whilst union bargaining sectors are struggling with issues of gender equality Challenge women in taking the leadership position, women need to fight for increasing female leaders in key positions Equal pay for work of equal value, sexual harassment need to be treated as mainstreaming issues in all the structures and policy formulation, challenge is that gender equality issues have not been taken in consideration in the bargaining agendas Women must strengthen the issue of gender Qoutas to put women in their rightful place, but make sure that after women being elected women are the once to make that they also encourage and support those women in leadership by empowering them with skills needed Women commission that is launched today is the very important and powerful for OATUU,it will be instrumental to avoid the challenges but will be able to participate and influence the whole process of gender equity in workplace and trade union Commit not only to give voice to women but also to facilitate environment that is conducive enough for women to participate because they believe that if you educate a women you educate the national The Senator officially launched the Pan African Organisation 6 P age OATUU women Conference September 2014 KENYA

7 Caroline 2 nd Assistant general Secretary of COTU vote of Thanks on the opening session She thank the presenters and everybody who attended and made sure that the conference is opened in such a dignitary process, she hoped that women have learned a lot from the presenters who share lots of information and will be able to deliver when going back to their constituencies. Panel Presentation on Strategies to unionize informal economy workers The session on organising informal economy was chaired by the Regional Specialist of ILO, he opened up the session for the panellist with the following expression:- In most part of Africa informal economy is expanding from 60-90%, the formal economy is not able to generate work to all the population which is growing daily. He also shared the two arguments on the informal economy as Economy generating business people- economy that is developing entrepreneurs People who are involve in the economy are just for survival ILO has viewed that there is no protection for the workers in this sector, therefore it is important for the trade unionist to make sure that they organise, by forming their unions or organise the informal economy workers to the existing trade unions. He also alluded to the fact that trade unions that are existing are shrinking day by day because of retrenchments in the formal economy and workers find themselves in the informal economy but the unfortunate part is that the trade unions are still in denial to find them in organising in the informal economy. ILO Senior Specialist in the Informal Economy She was introduced as a former General Secretary in Burkino Faso but also worked for ITUC before she joined ILO. She based her presentation on health, establishment and how to formalise the informal economy. ILO is an international system where organisation of workers, government and employers make recommendations on the international laws, a decision was taken at this level to protect workers in the informal economy on social protection. Informal workers are workers too, their work must be productive and protected also. Therefore these workers they also need to be given an opportunity. The Agenda for workers institute the international workers Majority of workers in the informal economy are women 7 P age OATUU women Conference September 2014 KENYA

8 It is vital important to have a social dialogue on the issues of transition from informal to formal economy and women has should have a special place on this transition Pat Horn Streetnet Dedicated her time and life to work with the transformation in the industry of hawkers Streetnet, she shared with the participants the South African slogan used by women in 1956 when they were protesting against the apartheid government, women demonstrated their power and strength and uttered slogans like U touch a women touch a rock u going to die strydom. Women threatening the prime minister of that time who apparently died few months after that month, and women believe that when they are united and fighting for the same cause nothing that they can not overpower. Thank OATUU for the invite and agreeing for bringing the informal traders from KENYANet. She observed the opening of the conference with disappointment that there were no women in leadership, but she is hoping the next conference the women will be at the forefront of opening their conference and men taking the back seats and assisting with administration. She brought booklets with more information on informal but solely apologise to the Portuguese speaking for not having copies written in their language but copies only on French and English. But promised that the mistake won t happen again Women were taught to use more innovative ways of organising workers in the informal economy Workers in the informal economy have been organising since even if the strategies are not the same Other part of Eastern, Latin America are leading in the organisation Message is not about waiting for the ILO to do the work but it s the workers themselves who should campaign hard to put forth the demand of informal to formal There are associations that have been integrated into trade unions that we need to learn lessons from those like Ghana which they have successful able to do that The street traders association themselves should work closely with the trade unions and federations an example of Zimbambwe informal traders working closely with ZCTU The Important thing is these organisations are led by women themselves and she encouraged OATUU that now that the Women Commission is launched, therefore challenged the women commission to make sure that the informal workers voice to remain on the top agenda of OATUU. She also expressed her gratitude that this 8 P age OATUU women Conference September 2014 KENYA

9 conference is launched with the theme of Informal Economy which is a huge achievement for women in the informal economy To have proper collective bargaining for the informal economy we need new tripartite forums and new negotiations forums that will be tailor made for this important sector She emphasise the importance about formalisation that is not about collecting taxes- employers excited because of registration- talking about formalisation in the interest of workers in the informal with the following benefits:- - Recognised in law - Integration of all money workers in the informal be recognised as taxes - Extension of social security of the country- adoption of new social security to be extended to the informal economy - Participatory bargaining system ILO national project coordinator Moving from poverty is a challenge because it has become a circle as trade union activists we should ask ourselves why the informal has risen up so quickly but we need to make sure that micro and socio economic policies are in place to protect the informal economy. She also shared with the delegates that the base line surveys where done on how exactly the sector operates, some of the study s findings were Cost of formalisation is high, there is no platform for advocacy. Therefore we need to sensitise the workers in public transport sector who most of the time are the once who are working with this sector about the challenges the workers are experiencing. There is an urgent need for a broader social dialogue on informal economy to work to the law that will provide protection for the workers in this sector. ILO s wish is to see more women in the inclusion of economic development, but also there is an urgent need to address issues and strategies for protection in the informal economy. It is also vital important to economically empower women in the informal economy on the framework of cooperatives but also the trade unions to continue to organise for advocacy. She concluded her presentation by challenging the trade unions and more especially women to work on shared experiences on organising the informal economy workers by trade union. 9 P age OATUU women Conference September 2014 KENYA

10 Panel Presentation on Shared experiences on unionizing informal economy workers by unions TUC GHANA She started by giving the participants on where Ghana as a country situated in West Africa with the population of 24 m with total workforce of 11m and 18 % of the workforce is informal and 82 % formal. Ghana has national tripartite committee informal economy workers seats in all the structures and working closely with Local government to stop the victimisation in the sector TUC has a department focusing specially on informal economy, with an officer responsible for organising and servicing the informal economy workers Challenges the workers in informal faces Harassment by public authorities who see them as nuisance to the public Not able to secure their income due to little income end up with huge debts The environment is not conducive enough for women working in the informal economy Trade Unions see organising informal economy as the costly exercise Capacity to meet the challenges - Financial capital specifically for assisting the informal economy for accessing it when they want to make loans - Intensifying the organising departments/personnel within the trade union - Assist informal economy workers to form cooperatives - Trade unions commit financial and human resources to organise them - Capacity building for the informal workers themselves to be able to take forward their issues. Challenge was put forth to the delegates to discuss if the name itself does it positively work for these workers or maybe we need a better name for this vital working force which is positively enough to convince the public and whoever is working with this sector to be on it. Ethopia This year the federation of Ethopia celebrate 50 th anniversary Work with Civil Society Organisation 10 P age OATUU women Conference September 2014 KENYA

11 COTU KENYA Women in the informal sector still feels not represented enough as men are the once in leadership position NO affiliates of informal workers Challenge a Federation similar to COTU to represent them Body formed by government micro-small economic body They are hosted in the COTU offices and assisted with the capacity building people who train them Challenges public toilets Research study done by COTU informal economy women workers are not able to access financial assistance from the banks Impact of women accessing loans that are not able to pay back usually ends with trauma- their goods being auctioned Common Market Protocol women across borders are sexually harassed by the officials due to borders that are closed This sector needs a Micro economic body that will be able to respond to their needs TOGO Presenting on Strategies and results 95 % workers is in informal economy in Togo There is a Minister of informal economy GROUP WORK The group work countries were divided according to their languages After the group discussed participants were given time to discuss in plenary All the groups were to discuss the following:- Recruitment Strategies of organising and negotiations Service 11 P age OATUU women Conference September 2014 KENYA

12 ELECTION OF WOMEN COMMISSION COMMITTEE MEMBERS PREPARATIONS The gender coordinator concluded the first day by giving the delegates on what will be expected of them the next day that they should meet as Zones/Regions and appoint people that they think should be in the Women Committee as elections will be done by those zones which the OATUU has 5 zones. The Committee has to have 15 members of which 5 should be in the executive. Southern Africa East Central North West Executive members should consist of 5 members from different countries that do not owe from 2012 She also explained that each zone should nominate three people from 3 countries She also gave a list of countries that are up to date but explain that it will be confirmed the next day of election The case of Southern Africa was explained as they must elect only 2 people as already the chairperson has been elected and comes from Angola, and she seats in the executive council The 2 nd and last day of the Conference OATUU General Secretary outlined the election processes He started by apologising for opening the women conference by putting men only in the opening session. He explained that it was not deliberately done but due to frustration that the chair of the Women Committee was bit able to make it due to unforeseen reasons., the As the OATUU secretary when writing letters he always request affiliates to send women, we need to change as an organisation on making sure that gender balance is respected and when events are for women, women themselves take a lead. But hoping that all that is going to end as the conference will be electing the members of the women committee who part of their job is to make sure that there is women and gender mainstreaming in all the structures and policies of OATUU. 12 P age OATUU women Conference September 2014 KENYA

13 He further explain that part of the conference agenda is to elect the executive and committee members and that the election will be guided by the guidelines that came out from OATUU constitution which were circulated to the delegates. OATUU does not have a women commission, the congress met in Algeria and took a decision that in order for OATUU to build women commission they therefore elected a chairperson of women commission Maria from Angola which represent the Southern Africa. Now midway from that congress able to have a conference, and as the executive cannot be able to change the decision of the higher structure 2012 congress of OATUU which if a four years mandate. The executive decided that the chairperson will be occupying the position for two years and in two years time whoever has been elected by the women conference as deputy chairperson will be automatically occupy the chairperson s position. The constitution require 15 Members for the women Commission and 5 Members for the Executive on the following positions Vice Chair- Automatically become chair after two years Secretary for information- Secretary for organising Treasurer Those elected should be up to date regarding the payment on subscription from Have to share the position of commission members according to the five zones North East West Southern Africa Central 15 members 3 members to come from countries of these Zones North Egypt/Algeria/Libya East Elitria/tanzania/Kenya/ethopia/sudan/ West- Nigeria/Mali/ Cote de Ivore/Ghana/Togo/Nigeria (four present)- Gambia not in good standing Southern Africa- South Africa /Angola (paid up) Central -/Chat /Cameroon/ 13 P age OATUU women Conference September 2014 KENYA

14 In the case of Southern Africa as only two countries Angola and South Africa are in good standing. Therefore South Africa will be given a power to appoint / elect from one country which is not in good standing e.g. countries present Lesotho, Zimbambwe, Mozambique, Swaziland as Angola did not attend. After 15 members have been elected will therefore Allow 15 members to decide which 4 of them will join Sister Maria from Angola COUNTRIES UPDATES 1. EGYPT 2. ALGERIA 3. LIBIA 4. ELITRAB 5. TANZA 6. SUDAN 7. KENYA 8. ETHOPIA 9. NIGERIA 10. MALI 11. GHAN 12. TOGO 13. COTO VIOR 14. SOUTH AFRICA 15. ANGOLA 16. CHAD- NOT PAID AFTER THE CONGRESS CAMEROON Made payments since then 14 P age OATUU women Conference September 2014 KENYA

15 Questions and clarities on elections from participants Clarification chairperson role after two year does it mean the commission has to elect again Number of time of the executive will it be a situation of a trend where the women conference seats before the OATUU Conference to avoid the situation of being elected by the executive Every region elect one only will we have all the languages Burkino faso cannot be members of the commission why we have been called- are we about to vote- is it possible that we may have our people from the zone Southern rn Africa only two countries irony in S.A. both NACTU/SOUTH AFRICA constitution says no more than one person Workers from Central Africa wanted to know how they were invited to come and be spectators but going back they are going to make efforts to pay and be able to participate Southern Africa their concern was that the decision taken on their behalf and were not being able to democratically elect their own, the request was put to OATUU not to take decision on their behalf because there is nothing to be decided for women without women. The respond from the General Secretary Comrade from CHAD wanted to know of what happened to the decision which was taken in the meeting held in 2008 in Libya, where women present decided that the women commission should be changed to gender commission and representation to be women 60 % and men 40 % it was adopted. The change of the name forms part of constitutional decision, therefore it needs to be amended by the congress. OATUU is in the transition period, the executive met and decided that this commission to elect officials Executive elected today expire in four years time Bylaws secretariat have to provide the means to ensure that it meet atleast once annually Because of powerful unions elected in the committee, they can decide to have it three or more times and also assist with resources, women commission has a right to take recommend to the executive in accordance to the constitution Walk in accordance with the constitution of OATUU members get invited because of affiliation with all the right to speak but when comes to election should have national standing Burkino Faso may not vote because they are not in good standing constitution demands good standing but it s their right to attend and participate 15 P age OATUU women Conference September 2014 KENYA

16 The secretary apologised explaining that the election of the chairperson was not to undermine the women but OATUU is in transition happened, secretary assured the conference that decisions will be made according to the constitution After the secretary have outlined the guidelines for election, question and clarity being provided, GHANA Moved for the bylaws KENYA second Adoption of Women Commission Plan of Action The participants divided into groups discussed the plan of action and the group ed back to plenary of what is expected to be taken forward by the commission committee. 16 P age OATUU women Conference September 2014 KENYA

17 DRAFT OATUU PLAN (only ideas from group 4) Priority Activities Targeting Responsible Time frame Expected results 1. Capacity Building 2. Growing Union through Organising the Informal Economy 1. Leadership Training 2. Training on Regional and Internation al Protocols, Convention s (UN, ILO, SADC, etc.) 1. Training of Trainers on organising the informal economy 2. Contributio n to the ILC discussion on informal discussions Women s Commission Women trainers Women from OATUU affiliates Executive Council of Women Commission ECWC, OATUU gender department ECWC, OATUU gender department Ongoing June 2015 March 2015 Women commission sensitized on strategic plan, structures policies programmes and OATUU constitution Women trainers have the tools and techniques OATUU Women contributes to the ILC discussion on the Formalising of Informal Economy 3. Review Gender Policy 4. Ratification by Region of Convention s 189 and 1. Consider prevailing national and internation al law i.r.o. Gender 2. Appointme nt of Taskforce to research 1. Lobby Government s, civil society, employers Women s Commission Africa Women s Commission All countries Unions, Affiliations, Federations, OATUU and January 2016 Ongoing Gender Policy in line with national and international Gender law Ratified, adopted and domesticated by all African countries. 17 P age OATUU women Conference September 2014 KENYA

18 183 on decent work for domestic workers and maternity leave and their recommen dations 5. Efficient and Effective Communic ation to ratify Convention 1. Developme nt of appropriate communicat ion measures through electronic media, social media, print media Women s Commission Women s Commission as well as relevant Government Ministries Women s Commission Ongoing National legislation aligned to ensure implementation of Convention 189. Well-informed Women s Commission regarding developments and decisions taken. Up-to-date and informative website. 6. Solidarity 1. Strengthen solidarity within and between African countries (e.g. Nigerian girls, Ebola) 2. Solidarity campaigns Women s Commission Women s Commission Affiliates, Unions and Federations Ongoing A united and supportive Africa. Elections 18 P age OATUU women Conference September 2014 KENYA

19 Gender Coordinator has explain to the house that each region to submit the names of the three list and from the three names indicate who is the person that is supposed to be on the Executive Committees Northern Region did not agree on the names requested the house to assist. After a discussion in plenary the house decided that, the 15 members elected for the Commission committee to meet and appoint the executive and back to the house. The motion was moved by GHANA and seconded by South Africa Swearing In of the executive and commission members It was done by the President and Secretary General of OATUU Chairperson Angola Deputy Chair Algeria - Secretary Informative- KENYA Secretary Organiser - CHAD Treasurer- - Mali Members of the Committee Southern Africa - Maria (ANGOLA), Gertrude Mtsweni(South Africa) and Barba van Vuuren (NAMIBIA) Central Clair/ CHAD/ CONGO West Africa/ Mali/GHANA/TOGO East Afria- Kenya/Ethopia/Happiness Northern Egypt and Algeria Sister Caroline of COTU assistant General Secretary welcomed back the OATUU general secretary and president.she congratulated the conference for the wonderful work done 19 P age OATUU women Conference September 2014 KENYA

20 of the establishment of the commission and coming out with the plan of action, but the most important thing is for the commission committee elected to implement the plan that is adopted by the conference President of OATUU closing session Thank those who were in charge of the whole exercise and more especially electing a wing that is strong and which was democratically elected Introduced the member of parliament who joined the closing of the conference who is the one is in charge of workers in parliament The president emphasised and committed that the executive will give support to the newly elected commission committee. The executive leadership were sworn in by the President of OATUU and the meeting was closed 20 P age OATUU women Conference September 2014 KENYA