In the Middle East and North Africa, the Solidarity Center supports democratic unions and civil society organizations as they defend the human right to freedom of association, promote worker equality, and raise awareness of the global economic context in which they labor.
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Iraqi workers march in Basra in 2006, protesting the country's proposed oil and gas law. Photo courtesy of IFOU |
The rich history of union activism in much of the MENA region goes back to the 1920s, when labor movements formed the working-class base of the struggle against colonial authorities. Today, global economic and political dynamics are eroding the universal human rights that democratic trade unions defend. Government efforts to liberalize come at a great cost: the erosion of worker rights and economic fairness. In most MENA countries, cumbersome laws facilitate government intervention in trade union operation. The same laws generally exclude or discriminate against certain categories of workers, notably women, migrant, and public sector workers. The Solidarity Center partners with the many regional trade unions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that strive to improve domestic labor law and its implementation, and to give workers a voice in shaping the economic development of their countries.
Region-wide programs strengthen the political and economic rights of workers by promoting rule of law, defending freedom of association, building capacity and internal union democracy, and encouraging trade union organizing. Each of the trade unions and civil society organizations in the MENA region, dedicated to advancing the human rights of workers, grow stronger through their alliances with each other and with the global labor movement. This strategic approach is an element of all the Solidarity Center’s work in the MENA region.
The Solidarity Center has offices in Algeria, Morocco, Qatar, and Kuwait, and programs with union and NGO partners in 13 other countries across the region.
Check out the June 2010 issue of the new Iraq Trade Union Rights Bulletin in
English and
Arabic
April 2010 Iraq Trade Union Rights Bulletin in English and Arabic
Iraqi Workers Need Your Help. Iraqi workers across the country have faced harassment, threats and even criminal charges for forming unions despite their hopes for democracy. The Solidarity Center requests your support for Iraqi union leaders in their struggle for bargaining and other workplace rights.
After 16 Days, Egyptian Workers End Sit-In. On February 23, 2010, the workers of the Tanta Linen, Flax and Oil Company ended their 16 day sit-in in front of the Egyptian Cabinet after an agreement with Minister of Manpower and Migration was reached. The workers were demanding the reinstatement of several workers who have been fired, an increase in their meal allowance, and payment of back wages and bonuses that they are owed.
Delegation of Palestinian Trade Unionists Visits Solidarity Center. From February 20 through March 1, 2010, the Solidarity Center and the AFL-CIO hosted a delegation from the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions for an important exchange on trade union rights and union organizing, public policy advocacy, and unemployment and economic development, as well as to help foster ties between U.S. and Palestinian workers and strengthen global labor contributions to peace building in the region.
AFL-CIO protests "illegal" charge against Iraqi oil union local president (5/28/2009). Read letter from President John Sweeney in English and Arabic.
Kuwaiti and U.S. Union Leaders Strategize on Common Challenges. In May 2008, a four-member U.S. labor delegation traveled to Kuwait on a Solidarity Center exchange visit. On the delegation were Michigan State AFL-CIO President Mark Gaffney, Georgia State AFL-CIO Vice President and CWA Local 3204 President Walter D. Andrews, Office and Professional Employees International Union Organization and Field Services Director Kevin A. Kistler, and Solidarity Center Program Officer Tom Egan.
History Made as Egyptian Public Workers Form First Independent Union. In a historic move for the Egyptian labor movement, the 270,000-member Real Estate Tax Authority Union will become Egypt’s first independent union, reports the Center for Trade Union and Worker Services, a Solidarity Center partner.
Iraqi Women Unionists Join Their Turkish Sisters for Historic International Women's Day. For the first time ever, Iraqi women unionists visited Turkey to celebrate International Women’s Day with their Turkish sisters.
Solidarity Center partners with Qatar National Human Rights Committee, signing historic agreement outlining the framework for a joint 2009-2010 program in Qatar.
Education for Change: Sowing the Seeds of Solidarity. Solidarity Center hosts a seven-member delegation of women union educators from Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, and Yemen.
Related Solidarity Center Publications
Learn More
- ITUC 2009 Annual Survey of Violations of Trade Union Rights in the Middle East.
- ITUC 2009 Annual Survey of Violations of Trade Union Rights in Africa.
- Bank Information Center: monitoring International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in MENA (in Arabic and English).
US & Global Labor Partnerships
