A major strategic meeting between the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) and the International Labour Confederation (ILC) was held in Istanbul, Turkey, on 11 November 2025, under the theme “The Labour Movement in the Face of New Challenges of Work and Global Transformation.” Among the key participants were OATUU President Dr. Francis Atwoli, OATUU Secretary-General Arezki Mezhoud, ILC President Ali Yalçın, ILC Secretary-General Hamza Öksüz, as well as numerous board members and national trade union representatives from across Africa and beyond.

In his remarks, OATUU President, Dr. Francis Atwoli noted that the sweeping changes shaping today’s world—from digital innovation and artificial intelligence to automation and the growing climate emergency carry both significant promise and profound danger for workers, particularly across the Global South. He cautioned that institutions like the International Labour Organization are increasingly strained by deregulation and the expansion of insecure forms of employment and urged trade unions to recommit themselves to advancing social justice, democratic values, and dignified living standards.

ILC President, Ali Yalçın also cautioned that without fair social dialogue and strong international union action, the green transition, automation, and digitalization risk imposing the heaviest burden on workers. He urged for a “just transition” rooted in planning, social dialogue, and solidarity and also raised concerns about humanitarian crises, warning that the labour movement must take a stand where war, poverty, and injustice persist.

Taking the floor, OATUU Secretary-General, Arezki Mezhoud stressed that solidarity is not just a moral value, but “the guarantee of our shared future,” arguing that trade unions must become more than defenders of labour rights — they must be agents of social justice in an era defined by digital disruption, climate change, and economic inequality.

ILC Secretary-General, Hamza Öksüz also emphasized the need for strengthened global cooperation, noting that the rapid pace of digital transformation is creating new inequalities. He said legal protections must evolve to reflect today’s work realities; otherwise, the digital economy could deepen injustice rather than correct it.

A joint call for global labour solidarity emerged as a central theme throughout the sessions. Delegates emphasized that digital transformation, AI, and automation are fundamentally reshaping labour relations, and if not managed carefully, may deepen inequality. They urged protection for workers, greater job security, and strengthened social dialogue as part of a just transition. The meeting concluded with a unanimous adoption of the Final Declaration which affirms that this partnership will help build a fair, united, and dignified world of work.