East African Workers Get Confederation of Trade Unions

Addis Ababa October 27/2018 National confederation of trade unions of eight East African countries today established a confederation of trade unions to defend and represent the rights of the workers in the region. The confederation is established to advance the economic, political, social and cultural interests of the workers in the region. Moreover, it aimed to promote free movement of people in the region, and actively engage for better life of workers and the people in the region. The confederation has named the Horn African Confederation of Trade Unions (HACTU) though its founding members include countries in East African region. Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Djibouti, Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, and Uganda are the founding members. The intention to designate Horn of Africa to the name of the confederation does not consider the geographical location. Horn Africa has assigned to the name of the confederation as there is no confederation in this name, according to the public relations office of the Ethiopian confederation of trade unions. The structure of the HACTU comprises president, two deputy president, and secretary-general. Accordingly, president of confederation of trade unions in Eritrea, Tekeste Baire elected as president, while president of Ethiopia’s trade unions confederation, kassahun Follo, Secretary-General of the union. After his election, the president, Tekeste Baire, said the confederation will play a significant role in defending the rights of workers and also promote peace and stability in the region. Kasahun, the Secretary-General, for on his part noted that the region engulfed with a number of problems such as poverty, drought, lack of good governance and instability. In light of this, HACTU would have a pivotal role in addressing the problems and enhancing the interests of the workers and influence governments to respect international labor rights. The founding members of HACTU unanimously adopted the confederation’s charter on its founding congress held in Addis Ababa for two days. The headquarter of HACTU has decided to be in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.