Building Unions in the Arab World

Labor unions are a key piece of nascent democracies in Egypt and across the Arab world. Unions are being fostered in Egypt's transport industries, particularly with seafarers, and also in the West Bank, with assistance from the International Transport Workers' Federation, which includes 781 unions representing more than 4.6 million transport workers in 155 countries. Allied with the International Trade Union Confederation, the ITF has its headquarters in London and has offices in Nairobi, Ouagadougou, Tokyo, New Delhi, Rio de Janeiro, Amman, Moscow, and Brussels.

The blog written by David Cockroft, general secretary of ITF, is one window on the birth of the Egyptian unions. Cockroft wrote March 30 about his recent visit to Israel and the West Bank and two days of workshops to help unions form throughout the Middle East.

"A series of intensive workshops on the second day produced a huge list of ideas for the future: better communications and the use of websites, facebook, and other internet tools to put union activists in touch with each other, basic education and training in union democracy and collective bargaining," he writes. "One of the most difficult issues was that of trade union pluralism. Many of the unionists in the region have grown up with monopolistic union structures which owe allegiance to political parties. Now they have to cope with separating union work from government influence while recognising that unions must always continue to influence government policies and laws. Working out how to accept pluralism without encouraging union fragmentation is going to be one of the biggest tasks ahead.

"Anyway, at the end of an exhaustingly energetic two day event (in my closing remarks I said it was one of the few ITF meetings I had attended where everyone was clamouring to speak and there was no risk of anyone falling asleep) we agreed to put in place a major programme to assist union building in the Arab World in all branches of transport, starting with maritime unions, and to make a full report to the next meeting of the ITF executive in April."

Marking Workers Memorial Day, ITF released a new, four-minute film April 28 to help urban transport workers prevent workplace violence.

Juan Cole's Informed Comment is another online source about democratic movements in the Middle East as they intersect with the push for labor and women's rights and involve workers' organizations.

Posted by Jerry Laws on Apr 28, 2011


Product Showcase

  • Kestrel 5400 Heat Stress Tracker WBGT Monitoring for Workplace Safety

    Ensure safety with the Kestrel® 5400 Heat Stress Tracker, the go-to choice for safety professionals and endorsed by the Heat Safety & Performance Coalition. This robust, waterless WBGT meter is ideal for both indoor and outdoor environments, offering advanced monitoring and data logging essential for OSHA compliance. It features pre-programmed ACGIH guidelines and alert settings to quickly signal critical conditions. Integrated with the cloud-based Ambient Weather Network, the 5400 allows managers to view, track, and log job site conditions remotely, ensuring constant awareness of potential hazards. Its capability for real-time mobile alerts and remote data access promotes proactive safety management and workplace protection, solidifying its role as a crucial tool in industrial hygiene. Read More

  • Safety Shower Test Cart

    The Safety Shower Test Cart speeds up and simplifies emergency shower tests, ensures you stay in compliance with OSHA regulations, and significantly reduces testing costs. With 7 unique features, the cart makes testing easy, effective, and efficient. You can test water clarity, flow, temperature, and spread—all at the same time! Most safety shower testing kits create a mess, take too much time to use, and don't fully help you stay in compliance with OSHA & ANSI standards. Transform the way you test emergency showers with Green Gobbler Safety. Read More

  • Glove Guard® Clip

    Safety should never be compromised, especially when it comes to proper glove usage. The Glove Guard® clip enhances safety by encouraging employees to keep their gloves with them at all times. This reduces the risk of accidents and injuries on the job. By ensuring everyone has their gloves readily available, we help promote a culture of safety and efficiency. The Glove Guard® clip is designed to withstand the toughest work environments. Constructed from robust materials made in the USA, it can endure extreme conditions, including harsh weather, and rigorous activities. Read More

Featured

Artificial Intelligence