In a radio interview marking the anniversary of the Union Générale des Travailleurs Algériens (UGTA),  Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU), Brother Arezki Mezhoud, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to defending African workers and advancing continental unity.

He emphasised that OATUU, founded in 1973, was born from Africa’s liberation struggles and continues to promote Pan-African solidarity. As a specialised agency with observer status within the African Union, OATUU contributes to labour and social policy discussions and coordinates trade union positions at the continental and international level.

A key focus of the interview was economic sovereignty. Brother Mezhoud stressed that Africa’s natural resources must drive industrialisation, job creation and social justice. He also addressed youth unemployment, the growth of the informal sector and the impact of digital transformation, calling for stronger worker protections, skills development and fair distribution of wealth.