African Trade Unions asked to work in unity

Accra, May 1, GNA- African Trade Unions have been urged to overcome the challenges of union proliferation and pluralism and seek unity in action and organization.

A statement signed by Mr Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, General Secretary of International Trades Union Congress-Africa (ITUC-Africa), and released to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), on Wednesday, said "African Trade Unions must organize workers in every workplace, including the informal economy, the export processing zones and mine workers. The struggle for improving our lives has to continue and our surest guarantee is the building of strong Trade Unions."

It said the creation of decent jobs in quantity to meet the employment needs of the African population is an essential tool in combating poverty, getting people out of a situation of dependency and achieving what is known as "Social Security for all on a sustainable basis.

The statement that was issued on the occasion of this year's May Day celebrations, said "All government policies and programmes must be oriented towards achieving the strategic objectives of the Decent Work Agenda namely the creation of employment of acceptable quality, protection of rights at work, social protection and social; dialogue."

It said ITUC-Africa also recognized the need for economic and social policy intervention that promoted African regional integration and pushed African political leaders and institutions to act in responsible ways that contributed meaningfully to Africa's development.

"On May Day 2008, we remind ourselves of the many challenges that face Africans, not only at our work places, but also in our communities."

The statement explained that some of these challenges were not directly related the employment situation yet they remained serious matters.

It said "We are referring to the threats posed by armed conflicts and political upheavals in some parts of Africa, the soaring prices of basic commodities, the negative consequences of climate change and global warming as well as the menace of HIV/AIDS pandemic.

The statement urged the South African Development Community (SADC), African Union (AU), United Nations (UN) and the international community to bring pressure to bear on the authorities in Zimbabwe to expeditiously release the results of the presidential elections devoid of manipulation and subversion of the democratic will and choice of the people.