East African Network for Human and Trade Union Rights to Meet in Rwanda

East African Network for Human and Trade Union Rights to Meet in Rwanda to Integrate Human and Trade Union Rights Aspects in the EAC Common Market Protocol

The Nairobi meeting last July identified specific challenges for the Eastern African sub-region and came up with a specific action plan. The two-day meeting in Kigali is a spin-off of the one in Nairobi.

Participants from UDT (Djibouti), CETU (Ethiopia), NOTU (Uganda), COTU (Kenya), CESTRAR (Rwanda), COTRAF (Rwanda), CSB (Burundi), COSYBU (Burundi), TUCTA (Tanzania), ZATUC (Tanzania), the Arusha-based East African Trade Union Confederation (EATUC) and ITUC-Africa will discuss and exchange experiences on trade union rights, social dialogue and tripartism, and look at ways to enhance the promotion and implementation of the ILO’s Decent Work agenda through its integration in the EAC Common Market Protocol.

“It is essential for the respect of trade union rights in Africa to make sure that this clause is added to the Protocol,” said Sharan Burrow, ITUC general secretary, “as this would be a significant step towards a better implementation of the ILO’s eight Core Conventions on workers’ rights.”