Regional Trade Union Programme

Trade unions have played an important political role during the political unrest and following the overthrow of the country's rulers. In Tunisia and Egypt, the workers in the factories had gone on strike during the demonstrations. In Tunisia, the strike, which was called by the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) led to the overthrow of President Ben Ali on 14 January 2011. In other countries, such as Libya and Bahrain, trade unions also succeeded in mobilizing the population. Beyond their political role, trade unions play at national level a significant role in economic and social development. They are mostly present all over the country and can ensure that the interests of the employees are taken into account in policy-making and that labour market and social policy goals are not neglected.

In the coming years, it is for many trade unions in the Near / Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to demand and accompany the political reforms after the "Arab Spring". Concretely, this means that unions will push for economic and social reforms in the interests of the employees while protecting in particular the workers’ rights.

For unions in the region to take on this responsibility and fully fulfil their role, the democratic and independent trade union structures must be strengthened in their capacities.

Through the regional trade union project, FES pursues the following objectives:

• Consolidating the regional trade union structures in the MENA region and providing support for women's and youth structures.
• Promoting regional cooperation between unions
• Elaborating strategies and trade union position on the socio-economic themes such as social security, migration, informal sector and climate change.
• Developing e-learning methods to strengthen the knowledge about workers right.

To implement its projects, the regional trade union project works together with:

• Member of the executive and with young trade unionist. As well as officials and members of the national and sub-regional trade unions.
• Independent civil society organizations representing the interests of citizens and workers.
• Policy makers who have influence on the relevant issues;
• Workers, progressive scientific and intellectual elite dealing with social and trade unions rights.

The planned activities are for instance conferences, seminars, workshops, publications and information visits as well as dialogue. Additionally, more recent instruments such as animated videos and infographics can be used as learning material.