The Secretary-General of OATUU, Mr. Arezki Mezhoud, accompanied by the permanent representative of OATUU to the ILO, Brother Abdoulaye Lélouma Diallo and Brother Dan Cuniah was received by the Director-General of the ILO, Mr. Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo on 22nd December 2022 in his office in Geneva, Switzerland.
During the meeting, both parties discussed at length the socio-economic and trade union situation in Africa and the novel challenges presented post Covid-19, as well as geostrategic tensions, such as the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. The Director-General stated that he would continue to work towards achieving the ILO’s objectives of promoting inclusive development and social justice. He added that, as the ILO’s chief official, he would support the implementation of the Abidjan Declaration and labour rights in Africa.
For his part, the OATUU Secretary-General expressed his congratulations to the Director-General and wishes for success in his mission following his election as the 11th Director-General of the ILO on 25th March 2022. He continued with a presentation on the situation of the world of work in Africa and the challenges facing the trade union movement in the new international and regional context. He declared that OATUU, as an observer member of the ILO and a unifying framework for African workers, would spare no effort in the implementation of the ILO’s objectives, in particular the promotion of social justice, decent work, and fundamental rights at work. He also mentioned the importance of the Abidjan Declaration, which addresses the real socio-economic challenges in Africa.