Africa
About the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers' Federation - Africa
The Africa regional office is based in Durban South Africa has been in operation since its formal opening in March 2000. Thabo Tshabalala is the Regional Secretary, who sees the role of the office as critical for coordination and provision of support to our affiliates, in their general quest for improving the quality life and workers rights in the region.
Strengthening organisational capacity is the key to attaining the outcome stated above, activities in support of this objective are prioritised.
Whilst work demands in general have grown with time on the office, there are those activities which are viewed as pivotal to the work of the regional office. These have been prioritised as follows:
Coordination – these are about joint workshops and other activities which the region initiates from time to time in support of the national unions. In addition affiliates are encouraged to explore different ways in which they can support each other including exchange visits. Another area of importance in coordination is that of policy development and the joint formulation of strategic approaches to organisational growth and development in the region. Structures exist which are charged with the responsibilities at this level of coordination, ensuring that joint planning and prioritisation takes place at the relevant meetings and workshops - i.e. Anglophone, Francophone and sub-regional structures, such as SADC etc. – these are about joint workshops and other activities which the region initiates from time to time in support of the national unions.
In addition affiliates are encouraged to explore different ways in which they can support each other including exchange visits. Another area of importance in coordination is that of policy development and the joint formulation of strategic approaches to organisational growth and development in the region. Structures exist which are charged with the responsibilities at this level of coordination, ensuring that joint planning and prioritisation takes place at the relevant meetings and workshops - i.e. Anglophone, Francophone and sub-regional structures, such as SADC etc.
Strengthening organisational capacity – initiating, implementing and supporting campaigns at different operational levels. These can be in the following areas:
Increasing membership through recruitment campaigns.
Organisational rights such as recognition agreements and other related rights.
Collective bargaining - activities that are geared towards providing support throughout the period of negotiation. Other targeted areas of activities these would cover activities around targeted multinationals, second hand clothing etc.
Research - collection of data, base line studies and provision of information to support campaigns, negotiations and other key activities undertaken by the affiliates.
Education and training - This is one of the important areas of support in building capacity and improving skills for growth and development within the national unions.
Accordingly the region is involved in exploring new forms of delivery which reaches beyond the leadership to the membership. Efforts have been made to develop materials for training.
Finally other areas of concern over and above the regular collective bargaining and gender issues for the region, has been identified as follows:
Second hand clothing - the need to explore and develop campaigns in this area.
Casual/Contract work - the need to develop strategies to deal with this growing problem which result in large numbers of workers being excluded from important workers rights.
AGOA - the critical area of concern regarding the AGOA processes is about the lack of participation or involvement of the countries where AGOA is utilised. In addition the structures have identified the need to familiarise our affiliates in the affected country as to the provisions in this Act, particularly the sections which speak to workers rights. The main question being “ how best to ensure compliance so as to gain rights for the national unions affected”.
NEPAD and AFRICA UNION – whilst the general view from labour has identified weaknesses in the area of consultation with labour, it is seen as important that more information ought to be sought in this regard. The purpose would be not only broaden the understanding of these new developments, particularly as they relate to labour rights, but also to seek to influence these processes where possible.
Important Documents
ITGLWF Region Constitution
ITGLWF Africa Region CBA Model Agreement
