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Monday, 20 November, 2000, 10:25 GMT
Trade unions: A central role in Africa?
Trade unions have often been the jumping off point for prominent movements across the continent and have spawned a number of leaders including Morgan Tsvangirai in Zimbabwe, Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Ivory Coast and, of course, Zambia's President Chiluba.
Should trade unions play a central role in politics in Africa today?
This Talking Point is now closed. A selection of your e-mails are published below.
Ernest Cole, The Gambia
The leadership of trade unions only use the powers entrusted to them by their unsuspecting members to buy favours from government. In Nigeria for instance, the president of the Nigerian Labour Congress is currently serving in about three government committees. Where lies his interest?
Individual trade unions in Africa are key to the historical democratic struggle between corporations and workers. However, in terms of the trends of globalization, international corporations will continue to exploit African labor on a selective basis. The only solution to such a problem is collective bargaining at the international level, a theory that the future hopefully will bring to the exploited African workers.
In Africa, where military rules and sit tight governments are prevalent, the trade unions are the only organised formidable opposition to a corrupt and illegitimate government. Without them in Nigeria, the illegitimate government of General Abacha would have had an easier walkover and he would have installed himself earlier as president for life.
Easmon Jamina, USA/Sierra Leone
In view of the African political and economic situation there is no other institution at present in Africa as a guarantee to the democratic process. It is the only social infrastructure to stand to any dictatorial attempt to derail our "cher" democracy!
Trade unions play no significant role in the day to day life of an African worker. It's just another instrument in the hands of politicians to manipulate the grass-root people.
Adam More, Sudan
I have spent twenty years as a senior official in the trade union movement. I believe that trade unions are vital if we are to achieve social justice in the new global economic order. The market can create wealth but it cannot distribute it equitably. Without equity economic growth will not benefit the poor of the world. Trade unions are the only force operating within the market system capable of promoting social justice.
I now work for an NGO and would very much like to explore ways for trade unions and NGOs to work together to mobilise civil society to act for economic justice.
Wake up Africa, as long as Africa lies on its dictatorial rules, there will not be a system that guarantees a healthy function of trade unions.
The trade unions in Africa are usually only interested in what they are going to get out of a deal or government legislation and don't take into consideration what the ramifications are of any concessions made by the government.
Ibrahim Phodei Sheriff, USA
Most African countries are missing genuine trade unions. The suffering of the working masses is a reflection of the lack, weakness or misrepresentation of trade unions. Working forces in Africa are indeed in a very bad state.
E. Matindi, UK
Trade unions have undoubtedly played a pivotal role in the emancipation of the African continent both in colonial and post-colonial eras.
Looking at their role in the colonial period one can conclude that the agitation for emancipation propelled them to political power - a position which most them abused after independence. However, their roles in the present dispensation all over Africa cannot be overemphasised.
Christian Toglan, USA/ Togo
In any society, trade unions are meant to advance the interests and rights of workers. And as potential stakeholders in government policies they are expected to take part in issues concerning the state. Since government policies cannot be completely separated from the politics of the policymakers, trade unions are also part of the polity. Thus they are indirectly involved. Trade unionism is an avenue by which the yearnings of the people can be advanced and thus change can be effected.
I think the workers' unions are powerful enough to pull the Government to its knees. In this case, a so-called monarchy is abusing power. He is no king but a ruthless dictator who is living in the Victorian age. Wake up Swazi King
Marcus ter Haar, Botswana
Of course they are playing a role, but in favour of the ruling parties. In short most unions are mouthpieces of the government in power.
In a situation where most government officials are simply out to line a few pockets, the masses need a collective real voice of opposition to the corrupt family of politicians Unions, a collection of everyday people, have become that voice, the voice of the aching masses, the only true representatives of the people. They will be instrumental in making real democracy come to African nations. Furthermore in most African countries with high levels of illiteracy, the union provides a good bridge between the wealthy super-educated and the man on the street with simple basic education.
The role of trade unions is misplaced: It is largely a vague concept the politicians use to spring to power and co-opt once in power. The governments place undue attention to them because of the failure to understand them. The union leaders also seem to have a vague understanding of their role in the total set-up. Perhaps then it should not be an issue at all. Employment is just one of the numerous examples of failure and its place should be given its proper significance in the rank of other matters.
Juda Sagane, South Africa
On the one hand, trade unions can be instrumental to democracy because they exhibit the power of the people in determining their worth and what they are willing to settle for. Trade unions help their members realise how much power they have in determining not only the destiny of an industry but the whole country in general.
Cillaty Daboh, USA/Sierra Leone
Trade unions serve as a bedrock for democratic change, particularly if you look at the historic record of leaders it has spawned such as Lech Walesa in Poland, Morgan Tsvangirai in Zimbabwe and others. There is a very strong correlation between having viable democratic institutions and having strong trade unions. With the increasing spectre of globalisation, the power of trade unions is slowly being nibbled away.
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