U.S. labour centre to collaborate with unions to strengthen workers’ rights
Tefere Gebre
United State of America (USA) industrial unions have pledged to work closely with trade unions in Africa to promote the rights and quality of lives of workers on the continent.
Speaking yesterday at the fourth ordinary congress of the International Trade Union Confederation – Africa (ITUC- Africa) in Abuja, President of Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, USA Terry Melvin said the organised labour movement in the USA is willing and ready to commit resources and time in helping build a global movement, where the people of the African Diaspora, both on the continent and abroad, can unite and fight against global capitalism. Stressing why global organised labour must unite in pushing the frontiers of safeguarding workers rights worldwide, Melvin blamed unbridled capitalism for workers woes.
On his part, Executive Vice President of American Federation of Labour-Congress of Industrial Organisations (AFC-CIO), Tefere Gebre, said the trade union movement on the African continent has tremendous power to influence the future not only of the continent but the world.
He however lamented that the continent does not benefit from the true value of its resources, adding that the continent needs living wages, decent work, and dignity, which can be made possible by the African trade union movement.
