The Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU), in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), successfully concluded a two-day conference in Accra, Ghana, from 4th to 5th August under the theme, “Advocating and Campaigning for Effective and Regular Social Dialogue and Tripartism Engagements within the African Union Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Social Development, Labour and Employment for the Realisation of the Future of Work linked with the AU Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.” The conference brought together trade union leaders from across Africa alongside representatives of governments, employers’ organisations, the African Union and the ILO to strengthen tripartite cooperation and advance decent work across the continent.
Over the two days, participants examined the future of work, the role of social dialogue and tripartism, the functioning of the AU Specialized Technical Committee on Social Development, Labour and Employment and practical measures to enhance trade union participation in continental labour governance. Discussions also focused on monitoring the implementation of the AU’s First Ten-Year Implementation Plan (FTYIP), decent work, social protection and the formalisation of the informal economy.
Opening the conference, Ghana TUC Secretary-General, Comrade Joshua Ansah, described social dialogue as “democracy expressed in the world of work,” stressing the importance of trust, partnership, skills development and decent work in achieving Africa’s development goals.
OATUU Secretary-General, Comrade Arezki Mezhoud, reaffirmed that effective and regular social dialogue remains central to inclusive labour governance, while ILO Deputy Regional Director for Africa, Agossou Coffi, called for stronger collective bargaining and increased efforts to organise workers, particularly those in the informal economy.
African Union representative, Dr. Sabelo Mbokazi emphasised that tripartism is critical to people-centred development, urging governments, employers and workers to collaborate in shaping inclusive labour policies. Business Africa representative, Alex Frimpong also highlighted social dialogue as a tool for building competitive economies and improving investment conditions.
OATUU President, Dr. Francis Atwoli called on African trade unions to strengthen advocacy for social justice and deeper worker participation in AU processes, while Director for Labour and Employment at Ghana’s Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment, Mr. Nhyira Sarfo Adu-Amankwah highlighted that no government can shape the future of work alone and called for stronger and more inclusive tripartite institutions capable of responding to new challenges.
The conference recommended stronger and more credible social dialogue mechanisms, increased worker representation in AU processes, better coordination among OATUU affiliates and governments, and preparatory consultations ahead of key AU and ILO meetings. Delegates also called for enhanced capacity building, greater inclusion of women and young workers, stronger organising in the informal and digital economy, and strategic responses to automation, artificial intelligence and climate transition.
The conference reaffirmed that effective social dialogue and tripartism are indispensable to achieving decent work, social justice and the aspirations of AU Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.
