The Organization of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) in collaboration with the International Labor Organization (ILO) is holding a Youth Workshop on “ Youth and the Future of the African Trade Union Movement: The Strength and Relevance of Trade Unions in Africa Rely on Youth Membership and their Effective Participation” from 16th-18th December 2019 in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
The Opening Ceremony of this workshop which brought together thirty five (35) youth trade union representatives from OATUU affiliates took place at the Union General Des Travailleurs de Cote d’Ivoire (UGTCI) Headquarters.
This 3-Days Workshop is organized following the decision made at the 11th OATUU Congress to initiate and set up a functioning OATUU Youth Committee with a clear mandate and framework for its functions. The members of the Youth Committee are set to develop implementable plan of actions including leadership and mentoring programmes so as to ensure effective youth succession and gender equality in all its structures.

One of the objectives of the Youth Committee structure is to encourage and offer a voice to young trade unionists, through training and other initiatives so as for them to be active in OATUU and in their own unions.
Therefore, the main objective of the workshop is to enhance the role of young trade union members in strengthening and modernizing of trade unions in Africa for them to remain powerful, effective and relevant in the current situation. This objective is detailed as follows:
-To raise awareness of young workers of their importance in strengthening the future of trade union movement in Africa.
– To identify challenges, existing gaps/weaknesses, opportunities, strengths and critical areas that require special attention, and ascertain appropriate actions to be taken by OATUU, various trade unions and young trade unionists in organising youth into trade unions, promoting youth participation in trade union activities and in decision making structures.
-To provide a platform for young trade unionists to exchange good practices from various countries and regions, and engage in dialogue to explore possible solutions for creating sustainable future for trade unions.
-To establish an OATUU Youth Committee and develop a 4-year plan of actions for youth.

The workshop is expected to come out with the following outcomes:
-Awareness created on the role of youth in strengthening the future trade union movement.
-Experience shared among young trade unionists on their participation in trade union activities and decision making processes.
-Weaknesses, strengths, opportunities and threats on youth participation in trade union activities identified.
-A 4-year OATUU’s Youth Committee plan of actions developed.
OATUU Youth Committee established.