30 November-1st December, 2016 Accra, Ghana; Gathered under the Partnership Forum of African Union-Organization of African Trade Union Unity (AU-OATUU), Trade Union Organizations met in Accra, Ghana from 30 November-1st December 2016. The Partnership Forum has drawn participation of various labour organizations from the five regions of the continent under the umbrella of AU-OATUU, to situate themselves within the ongoing prosecution of the AU Agenda 2063 as well as other continental action plans including those on migration.

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the African Union Commission Chairperson, the Head of Civil Society Division, Mr Jalel Chelba expressed hope that the forum will discuss an important and key subject which is migration and come up with sound recommendations that will help the Continent to address this issue. “This year’s Partnership Forum is particularly timely as it provides an opportunity for us to take stock of the Joint Labour Migration Program (JLMP) which provides the governing architecture on the AU’s approach to migration and development; to review its successes and challenges; and to collectively consider the role of organized labour in enhancing its implementation’” he said.

In his address, Mr Arezki Mezhoud, the Secretary General of the Organization of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) highlighted the importance of the theme of the Forum and the need for Africa to have its words on this issue as it is affecting most African Countries and an important portion of our Citizens. He expressed gratitude to the AU Commission, through CIDO, for providing this platform for interaction with Labour movement which allow Trade Union Organizations to contribute and provide their inputs for major issues on the Continent.  

Following two-days of intensive work sessions, the Forum agreed that trade unions must work towards a realistic and targeted strategy that is focused on actions nationally, sub-regionally and regionally in the area of migration management. It also called on OATUU, AUC and/or other social partners to institute a labour migration observatory to monitor the situation of migrant workers in Africa and overseas. Finally, the meeting called on the Government of Libya and the African Union Commission to facilitate and support Trade Union Organizations mission in Libya, to monitor the conditions of labour migrants and to provide necessary assistance in this regard. 

For more information, please contact:
Mr. Ernest Kaliza: Ekaliza@africa-union.org@africa-union.org, cido@africa-union.org, ecosocc@africa-union.org