DRAFT STRATEGIC PLAN 2012 2015 ITUC-AFRICA 1 P a g e
CONTENTS Page 3 Priority area 1 Human and Trade Union Rights Page 5 Priority area 2 Organising Page 7 Priority area 3 Internal Democracy and Workers Empowerment Page 9 Priority area 4 Trade Union Unity Page 10 Priority area 5 Gender Equality Page 12 Priority area 6 Social Protection Page 14 Priority area 7 Occupational Safety and Health Page 15 Priority area 8 HIV and AIDS Page 18 Priority area 9 Environment and Climate Change Page 20 Priority area 10 Youth Page 22 Priority area 11 African Union, Peace, Security, etc. Page 24 Priority area 12 Resource Mobilisation Page 25 Priority Area 13 Development policies Page 27 Priority area14 Changing globalising Page 29 Priority area 15 Communication Page 31 Priority area 16 Capacity building (to be filled) 2 P a g e
PRIORITY AREA 1: HUMAN AND TRADE UNION RIGHTS Increasing violations of Human and Trade Union Rights Improved reporting system for affiliates of abuses Training for reporting rights violation, annual survey, committee of experts Poor reporting of abuses Increased contribution to solidarity campaigns Building of data base of rights violation and annual survey High level of impunity To raise consciousness and activism on issues of rights More respect achieved for rights and accountability Protest letter writing Weak political commitment by trade union leaders lack of capacity to engage on HTUR issues Low level of solidarity among affiliates To improve the conditions for trade union existence and operations Improved labour legislative environment in more African countries Increased coverage of collective bargaining Strengthening HTURs networks and alliances Production of campaign material Campaigns on rights issues Low level of cooperation of ITUC- Africa with regional and international organization Greater institutionalization of national minimum wage Campaigns against abusive dismissals of trade unions at National and continental levels 3 P a g e
unfriendly labour legislations Develop democracy index Support affiliates to develop paralegal focal points Development of wage monitor Support affiliates to undertake minimum wage campaign Thematic campaign 4 P a g e
PRIORITY AREA 2: ORGANISING Low trade union density Improved density Strategic meetings on organizing at different sectors: public sectors, corporate and informal economy Low level of working class consciousness Higher level of working class consciousness Support to affiliates for training organizers Limited visibility/influence Better trade union recognition Negative perception in media Expanded Trade union financial base Campaigns on International labour standard as they relate to different sectors Declining trade union effectiveness To increase trade union membership for better representativeness Increased capacity to mobilize for action Set up data collection and monitoring system on membership and best practices Low capacity for organizing Under representation of youth and women Increased participation and representation of youth and women in trade union activities and leadership Growing unemployment; Improved union service benefits and service delivery to 5 P a g e
membership New forms of employment relations; Strengthened sub regional organisations Growing EPZ which exclude trade union organisation; Weak sub regional trade union organisation; 6 P a g e
PRIORITY AREA 3 INTERNAL DEMOCRACY AND WORKERS EMPOWERMENT Poor consultation of members Democratic participation of membership enhanced Study on trade union management and practices (documentation) Deficit in internal communication A greater number of transparent elections achieved Sensitization on internal democracy issues Lack of delegation of responsibility Poor management skills Lack of transparency in elections To achieve a more responsive and effective trade union movement with full and equal participation of members Less government/political interference Enhanced visibility of youth Leadership training for young and female members/leaders Developing a monitoring system on compliance with trade union statutes Lack of accountability Internal communication enhanced Non-compliance with statutes to hold congresses at National level Lack of training/education To ensure workers empowerment through instituting democratic control by its members Better disposition to renew leadership Less tolerance for illegitimate union formation Management training for leadership Campaign on affiliation fees payment ; Policy on resource mobilisation 7 P a g e
Government/political interference An association of veterans established Encourage affiliates to appoint a focal person on ICT Long duration of leadership Erosion of control of the membership Establish a network to build ICT systems within affiliates Facilitate use of multi-media Lack of membership participation Low level of gender equality Poor participation of youngworkers Personal aggrandizement 8 P a g e
PRIORITY AREA 4: TRADE UNION UNITY Two identifiable trade union bodies One regional organisation established Joint strategic leadership meetings Existence of WFTU regional affiliates in Africa To achieve one voice for all African workers Functioning inter-syndicals at national level A unification congress Trade union proliferation at national level A monitoring system for trade union elections A code of conduct Establishing inter union structures Policies of SSO s To achieve unity of action among affiliates at national level Political inference reduced Joint celebrations Hostility between affiliates in several countries ITUC policy on development cooperation respected Joint activities Political interference Poor trade union management Improved trade union management; An incentive system to award champions of trade union unity Electoral disputes Weak trade union democracy Personal aggrandizement 9 P a g e
PRIORITY AREA 5: GENDER EQUALITY Lack of gender equality Increased number of gender sensitive trade union constitutions Gender auditing extended to all affiliates Low level of gender mainstreaming in the unions Increased number of women in decision making structures Develop an inventory of best practices in gender policies and practices Low consciousness of gender Achieve gender equality Increased quality of gender mainstreaming Popularize best practices Male chauvinism Gender insensitive constitutions Patriarchal attitude Limited number of women in decision making Increase opportunities for men and women to attain equality at all levels Increased capacity of women and men in management and leadership positions Reduced male chauvinism and patriarchal attitude Increased funds Campaigns on affirmative action Campaigns to institutionalize quotas Education and training on attitude change, management, leadership, combating violence, equal opportunities Increased equal opportunities for girls and women Campaign on violence, etc 10 P a g e
Less women in skilled professions Limited capacity in management and leadership Limited funds Reduced violence against women Training on resource mobilisation and planning Evaluation assessment of the impact of gender auditing Gender wage gap Violence against women 11 P a g e
PRIORITY AREA 6: SOCIAL PROTECTION Limited coverage of social protection schemes (e.g. informal economy, migrant workers, women, casual workers) More people have access to social security and health schemes of good quality in respect of gender equality Base line study completed/continued Existing schemes are insufficient More workers benefiting from social security and health schemes Providing support for the development of policies Limited access to health care Insufficient financing of the schemes (low investments of governments) Contribute to the overall goal to achieve social protection for all; Improved governance in social security schemes Improved legislation and policies Campaign and sensitization for better social protection Networking Training programmes ; Poor enforcement of legislation Improve coverage and quality of social protection schemes Better enforcement of legislation Advocacy Limited Trade Union capacity on governance of schemes Committed government investments 12 P a g e
No overall legislation Growing unemployment aggravates problems with social protection Incidence HIV&AIDS Double standards of MNEs 13 P a g e
PRIORITY AREA 7: OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH Emerging OSH problems stress, violence at work, drug abuse, alcoholism, nanotechnology and nano manufactured materials, biofuels, electronic waste, chemicals in products, etc. Exposure outside the workplace Predicament of vulnerable groups: women, migrants, child workers, the sick, the old, night workers, etc Lack of/weak/ obsolete OSH legislations Protecting and promoting the safety and health of workers in all sectors of the economy and contributing towards the implementation of the ILO Global Plan of Action in the region. Improved ratification of ILO OSH Conventions A comprehensive trade union training manual on OSH developed Impact of interventions at national level enhanced through improved working relationship with OATUU in the area of OSH. Emergency response measures developed at national and regional levels Review the OSH Manual for the purpose of widening the scope of issues or topics. Emerging issues and all sectors will be addressed. Training: at regional, sub regional and national levels. Training should include emerging OSH issues and exposure outside the workplace. Specific training for leaders and national focal persons Inventory of all existing CBAs to identify gaps. A matrix developed in 2011 will be upgraded to serve the purpose. Lack of IT skills Increased awareness amongst National Focal Points, Trade Union Leaders and Workers Campaign for ratification of ILO Conventions 155, 161 and 187 Poor ratification and domestication of ILO OSH Conventions Ensuring OSH services and rights are accessed and enjoyed by all Political commitments secured from AU, National Governments Campaign for enforcement of AU Bamako Convention and compliance with Abuja Declaration. A name and shame 14 P a g e
Weak implementation of AU Bamako Convention on Hazardous Chemicals Non compliance with the AU Abuja Declaration workers and their families regardless of their sex, place of origin, age, duration or type of contract, position or task in the workplace. and National Affiliates OSHE extended to the informal sector including artisans list will be constructed. Updating and disseminating the joint ITUC Africa / OATUU model CBA Weak CBAs, workplace policies and codes of practice Inventory of existing training manual. A matrix for data collection will be developed. Outdated training manuals Non operationalization of the joint ITUC Africa / OATUU model CBA Low awareness / low sensitivity amongst trade union leaders Skill development training Information Technology, administering first aid, handling fire accidents, workplace surveys, ecotoxicity monitoring, health surveillance and risk assessment. Lack of skills First Aid, Workplace OSH Inventorying/ Surveying, Risk Assessment, Interpreting information on labels, Ecotoxicity monitoring, etc Lack of implementation of the ILO Global Plan of Action on OSH Consultations with ILO Safe Work to identify areas of cooperation for implementation of the Global Plan of Action and Istanbul Declaration on OSH. 15 P a g e
PRIORITY AREA 8: HIV AND AIDS Difficulty to access Country Coordinating Mechanisms (CCMs) Increased number of trade union represented in CCM s Campaigns on Global Fund Low level of domestication of recommendation 200 50% of African countries have implemented Recommendation 200 Campaigns on Round 11 Campaigns on CCM participation Low level of access to treatment; Persistent high level of discrimination and stigmatization To contribute to a substantial reduction of HIV&AIDS on the workplace and in the communities; Increased number of infected workers and their families have access to treatment Campaigns on ILO Convention 111 Gender inequalities Reduced level of infections in the workplace Campaigns on domestication of Recommendation 200 Vulnerability of women Migrant labour Ensure integration of HIV&AIDS issues in trade union policies programmes; Discrimination and stigmatisation reduced Increased trade union projects funded by Global fund Popularization of a model CBA and policies Sensitisation of the public on HIV and AIDS through publication of flyers in local languages Suspension of round II of Global Fund Decreased number of women 16 P a g e
Poor access of trade union to Global Fund Failure of trade unions to establish networks Lack of skills to provide first aid Lack of implementing the agreement of ITUC-Africa with OATUU Growing incidence of orphans and vulnerable children Forgotten issues on HIV and AIDS ( e.g. Isolated work stations) Discrimination against other vulnerable groups (homosexual, lesbians, transsexual, etc.) infected Improved protection of women; Increased networks of workers and trade union leaders at national and workplace levels Increased number of focal persons trained on first aid More joint activities of ITUC-Africa and OATUU on HIV&AIDS implemented Guidelines on management of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) Neglected issues included in updated manual Higher tolerance achieved Review of the training manuals[to include neglected issues] Training for focal points National workshops for establishment of networks of workers and trade union leaders with HIV&AIDS Popularization of the use of female condoms Special programmes for women Plan joint activities with OATUU Education and awareness raising activities on human rights 17 P a g e
PRIORITY AREA 9: ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE Environmental degradation + soil erosion Increased awareness among African workers on environmental issues Training of national focal points, leadership at regional and national levels Drought and desertification Pollution More affiliates have policies adopted Campaigns: Just transition Floods Disappearance of ecological systems Poor knowledge and awareness on environment issues Contribute to protection of the environment for sustainable development; Increased CBAs with issues on environment Increased number of national reports on the impact of the environment on workers Support to affiliates for policy development Research activities Participate in World Environmental day and special events Poor technology Increased involvement of trade union in national programmes Advocacy campaigns Policy at national level is nonexistent, weak or poorly enforced Ensure that environment issues are included in all our policies; 18 P a g e
Inaccess to green funds at National level Limited financing Increased health problems Occupational diseases linked to environment degradation Decreased food security Environmental Displacement of communities; Land grabbing; Privatization of water resources Green house effect 19 P a g e
PRIORITY AREA 10: YOUTH Low representation of youth in decision making structures Increased youth participation in trade union activities and structures Organizing campaigns Lack of data on youth membership in trade unions Young workers visibility enhanced Providing training programmes Low participation in trade union activities Increased representation Production of IEC materials for awareness raising Lack of information More skilled youth leaders Policy development Weak mainstreaming of youth issues in trade union policies and activities Poor commitment to addressing the youth issue in trade unions Young workers to become an integral part of the trade unions; Increased sensitization of youth on trade unionism More unions have youth policies adopted Attractive services available Trade union advocacy on youth activities Organizing youth targeted activities (festivals, sports) Exchange programmes Lack of funding for youth activities More national policies on youth Trade union outreach programmes to campuses 20 P a g e
employment Predominance of materialism Unattractive services Youth access to the labour market established as a trade union issue Lack of youth employment Maximized use of available technologies Dearth of employable skills Insufficient use of available technologies Changing employment relationship Lack of career and political guidance 21 P a g e
PRIORITY AREA 11: AFRICAN UNION, PEACE, SECURITY, ETC. Lack of authority of AU A Pan-African electoral commission established Campaign at national level to secure support for electoral commission The AU does not provide strong leadership An electoral fund institutionalised Publish document on electoral commission Insufficient input in AU decision making by trade unions and other CSOs Participation of ITUC-Africa in African Union structures increased Appoint Focal person for AU relations Poor as well as Bad governance Poor management of elections with frequent electoral disputes Bad democratic culture An African Union that provides leadership in effectively addressing challenges facing African people Better implementation of AU agreements and protocols Improved trade union presence and input into ECOSSOC Better recognition of ECOSSOC contributions to AU decisions Revise the MOU with the AU on ITUC-Africa s involvement with the AU Make an inventory, compile relevant protocols, popularise them Politics of winner takes all Foreign interference A restructured African Union Labour Commission which fully Develop capacity to monitor implementation 22 P a g e
Corruption and Impunity respects tri-partism Workshop on ECOSSOC and Labour Commission to define a road map Xenophobia Growing terrorism An African Union that provides room for conscious trade union and civil society participation in its structures and activities Enhanced accountability and more respect for the rule of law The culture of winner takes all questioned Campaign against impunity and for representation to the African Commission on Human and People Rights (ACHPRs) Sectarian violence Campaign against xenophobia Armed civil conflicts Proliferation of small arms Increasing drugs trafficking Weak implementation of agreements and protocols 23 P a g e
PRIORITY AREA 12: RESOURCE MOBILISATION Limited availability of financial and human resources Poor payment of subscription fees Embezzlement of union dues and other funds Limited resource mobilisation skills Weak dues collection capacity of affiliates Lack of check-off systems Limited availability of development cooperation funds Poor union investments Absence of subsidies from governments for specific trade union activities Achieve financial sustainability; Increased availability of finance resources; Improved payment of affiliation fees; Improved capacity of affiliates to collect dues; Enhanced skills on resource mobilisation; More sectors and countries with check off systems; Less dependence on development cooperation funds; Better union investments; Increased number of unions who access subsidies Tables on payment of fees; Training on resource mobilisation ; Campaign on institutionalisation of check off system; Establish a data base on check off system; Training in investment schemes; Publish annual payment records; Creation of a regional Solidarity Fund; Meetings with affiliates on how to access Government subsidies Create a Fund for TU education in a bilateral accords with employers Creating an investment fund 24 P a g e
PRIORITY AREA 13: DEVELOPMENT POLICIES Inappropriate and ineffective sectorial Contribute to decent jobs Enhanced capacity of African policies (agriculture, industry, trade, education, health, transport, energy, creation and poverty reduction. trade unions in the analysis of development policies and in the communication, information and formulation of relating technology, environment, alternatives. infrastructures) and employment policies beside the priorities and needs of African populations. Poor working conditions, low levels of decent jobs, predominance of informal jobs and job insecurity. Deterioration of living conditions populations and increasing poverty levels. Heavy dependence on primary commodities and low level of industrialization. Ineffectiveness of monetary and financial policies for mobilizing resources and financing development. Low or lack of expertise within trade unions for the analysis of development issues and the formulation of alternatives thereto. Low involvement of trade unions in the 25 P a g e Strengthen the capacity of ITUC- Africa affiliates in development policies analysis and support union action in this field. Allow ITUC-Africa s trade unions to be influential actors in the formulation and implementation of development policies at national, regional and continental levels. Increased participation of African trade unions in the social dialogue processes on development issues at national, regional and continental levels. Measures of sectorial and monetary policies initiated by the States, Regional Economic Communities and the African Union to boost African economies and promote development at the national, regional and continental levels. Promoting and creating decent works to improve living and working conditions through greater involvement of unions in the decent work country programs. Production capacity of African economies improved. Research activities on employment policies, decent work s promotion, sectorial policies, monetary policies, regional integration process in the context of a new development model. Regional capacity building workshops for trade union leaders and experts on approaches, strategies and union proposals regarding development policies. Set up of networks on a regional and sub-regional basis to enable ITUC-Africa affiliates participating actively in discussions on development issues in the social dialogue bodies and in the consultation process with regional and international institutions at regional and subregional levels Establishment of a database of union researches and proposals on development policies Awareness of affiliates to the
development and implementation of database use development policies. Weak production capacity of African economies Limited scope of regional integration policies Development of analytical papers and union proposals on issues of development policies and their extension. Advocacies to publicize union's proposals and positions on development issues in round tables, forums and social dialogue instances at national levels by affiliated organizations, at regional levels by regional unions, at continental and international levels by ITUC- Africa. Interpellation campaigns toward Governments, Regional Economic Communities, African Union, regional economic institutions (ADB, UNECA), international economic institutions (World Bank, IMF, WTO...) and the European Union. Creation of a Trade Union Research Institute for policies and issues of development 26 P a g e
PRIORITY AREA 14: CHANGING GLOBALIZATION Acceleration of deregulation and Initiatives implemented to privatization of public enterprises and services promote public and social services and facilitate people's access. Reduced investment in social and public services (health, education, water, electricity, telecommunications, transportation...) and unequal access to these services Pre-eminence of financialization at the expense of the real activity sectors. Loss of economic and social regulation functions of the state. Weakening of industrialization and regional integration process Limited scope of strategies and programs recommended by the international economic institutions (IMF, World Bank, UNDP, WTO, etc.) and their inconsistency with the regional and national strategies Contribute to design a new development model for Africa Collaborate with ITUC regional organizations and the Global Union Federations for the implementation of a fair and equitable model of globalization conducive to the promotion of decent work. Support the capacity of African trade unions to respond in discussions on globalization to push political leaders to formulate and implement development strategies, policies and programs ensuring workers and populations interests Measures adopted to restore in African countries the State economic and social regulation function Regional integration, industrialization, trade and employment policies that meet the priorities and concerns of Africa workers and peoples implemented Policies implemented to preserve natural and environmental resources. Policies and measures adopted by African States to ensure workers' rights under international agreements on trade and industry Measures for the effective implementation of workplace and workers protection instruments ratified by the states. Research activities on alternatives to globalization in the perspective of promoting industrialization, regional integration and decent work and in the framework of a new development model for Africa. Awareness of affiliates for a better use of communication tools to find information and documents on the mechanisms, manifestations and implications of globalization in Africa. Awareness of affiliates for the optimal use of information, documents and databases on Globalization issues produced by: o the labour movement (ITUC-Africa and its affiliates, African Regional trade union confederations, ITUC and Global Unions Federations) o African Labour Research Network and African trade union research institutes o the social movements and NGOs close to the labour movement, o the ILO, o African regional organizations o international organizations Despoliation of the continent s natural resources and continuous 27 P a g e Policies and measures initiated to enhance African economies and Capacity building of trade union leaders and experts on the development of proposal
environmental degradation in countries Marginalization of African economies in the global economy reduce their marginalization. (and action) documents and union strategies for an active and effective participation of unions in discussions on issues of globalization in social dialogue bodies at national, sub-regional Regional Economic Communities, RECs), Regional (AU, UNECA, ADB, ) and International (IMF, World Bank, WTO...) levels. Campaigns and advocacies of trade union organizations to publicize union's proposals on issues of globalization at the national, sub-regional and regional levels in social dialogue bodies and in consultation processes. 28 P a g e
PRIORITY AREA 15: COMMUNICATION The introduction of new computer-based technologies brought more effective means of communication that need to be adopted both at national and regional level Low or no budget for IT; no dedicated and qualified staff at affiliate level Weak communication capacity at affiliate level, poor visibility: no e- newsletter, no podcasts, no website, no use of social networks Poor use of database technology to organize members thereby an inability to report exact information to national centres then to regional Improper use of emailing: erroneous email address database Expensive and legacy telephony system still in use Poor or no use of virtual 29 P a g e Better communication within ITUC Africa Secretariat Better communication with affiliates and other partners Build a Labour Radio communication system and network across Africa Enhance the visibility of ITUC Africa and affiliates Improved communication among the staff. Indicator: language test Improved communication projects. Indicator: number of reports received from project coordinators Better flow of emails and information. Indicator: less delivery failures and more responses/comments/feedback from affiliates Enhancing the voice of African workers on different issues in the region: Number of radio programs produced and broadcasted Increased respect of the ITUC Africa and Affiliate positions on various issues. Indicator: number of invitations from international organizations, the number of accreditations to international and regional bodies, the degree at which ITUC Africa and Affiliates influence policies at Regional and International levels - Development of simple language tests for the staff - Regular meetings with coordinators - Develop a communication strategy - Trainings on IT - Special training for the youth - Supply hardware and software capacities to national centres - Training on radio communication - Equipping the regional and national centres with recording and editing facilities - Training on development of newsletter, website development, use of database - Publication of our newsletter - Development of social networks to cover all priority areas - Regular updating of website
meeting softwares Low and unstable internet connection - Regular production of radio files and programs - Regular press releases - Installation of a digital telephone system Increased use of new technology Minimize cost of communication. Indicator: the number of video conferences - Training on video conferencing administrator of the server, ITUC Africa Staff 30 P a g e
PRIORITY AREA 15: CAPACITY BUILDING (to be filled) CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT 31 P a g e