Guardian

FOR the ongoing reforms at the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to attain its desired objective, the alleged under-representation of African workers should be addressed, the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) has said.

Also, according to OATUU, there is need for a fair representation of all peoples and continents in the ILO Governing Body.

In a petition addressed to the Director-General of ILO, Guy Ryder, and signed by the Secretary General of OATUU, Owei Lakemfa, the union observed that, there are only two Africans out of 21 at the top career level (D2 level) in the ILO, while at the next level of Dl, there are about nine Africans out of 73 (only five of them at the headquarters).

It added that out of the 249 staff members in the top professional grade (PS), Africa accounts for less than 20.

“The statistics get worse as we descend the hierarchy ladder to the handful of young Africans employed in the ILO”, said OATUU.

Describing the situation as “no fault” of Ryder’s leadership, OATUU pointed out that it is however an “inherited structural challenge that needs immediate remedial measures.

“These measures should include amongst others, a review of the recruitment method, retention of Technical partners and experts in the ILO structure, and the Intern Progamme. We are not asking that standards be lowered. But, we do know that Africa is bursting with highly qualified manpower, which has made African immigrants the highest educated in a country like United States. What we ask for is a level playing field and a correction of the under representation of Africans and other peoples in similar situation”.

Making reference to its recent meeting with the ILO Director-General, OATUU said basic issues such as the fundamental rights of workers to freely associate and join unions or engage in collective bargaining, remain as critical issues affecting workers within the continent.

“As you already know, in many African countries, public sector workers are denied the right to associate either with themselves or other workers.

“OATUU had also pointed out that while the world seems to have moved to the stage of conflict prevention as a fundamental policy, the fact is that a number of African countries are indeed engaged in conflict, or are just emerging from such situations.

“In the same vein, we also raised the challenge of needless and pointless proliferation of central labour organizations, which fundamentally weaken workers and the ability of trade unions to defend workers’ rights.

“We were happy by your assurances that your leadership is willing to work with us in all these areas as well. We look forward to this”, said the petition titled “Needed reforms and challenges in the ILO”.

Part of the petition reads: “For a couple of years now, we have been informed of persistent attacks to undermine the ILO Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV) and its current leadership.

“We are very concerned that attempts are being made to restructure ACTRAV            without any open, transparent and inclusive consultations within the Workers’ Group of the Governing Body and within ACTRAV itself.

“This undue external interference in the management of an ILO department is undermining the work of ACTRAV within the ILO, which can have negative consequences on your own credibility as Director General of the ILO.

“We have been informed of the harassment of the Director of ACTRAV and unfair treatment of other staff members. We are deeply concerned by this and express our full confidence in the role being played by ACTRAV and its management.

“We submit that any future discussion on the restructuring and management of ACTRAV should be done in full consultation with the members of the Workers’ Group of the Governing Body.

“Any new appointments made must be based on a set of transparent criteria. More importantly, there must be a transparent process in the identification of the professional and managerial staff in ACTRAV.

“There must also be respect for regional balance between developed and developing countries. Similarly, we have to take into account gender balance and extensive and proven trade union experience.

“The director of ACTRAV must have management experience and be capable of building and leading a team. It is our hope that respect for these criteria will strengthen ACTRAV in its mission. “For your information, the African members of the Governing Body have raised these concerns with the President of the Workers Group on several occasions, but he expressed his inability to resolve the matter.

“During the last Governing Body session (March 2013) this issue was also vehemently brought to the attention of the General Secretary of the ITUC.

“The African members of the Governing Body have also expressed concern on other issues, such as the composition and management of the Workers’ Group, the working methods and the lack of transparency in the election of Governing Body members and the appointment of the spokespersons of the Workers’ Group.  “Finally, we reiterate our view that membership of the ILO Governing Body should be democratised. A tripartite organisation like the ILO-built on equality of peoples, equity, inclusiveness and social justice-should not have an exclusive club of “industrialised” nations who-like the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council-have permanent seats in the ILO Governing Body”.