This report is to take stock of what has been achieved since the last Bouznika Congress in May 1999. It also presents the interest of activists to fully ensure their self-promotion and the will of the PAFETTU Executive Board and its partners to join the activists in this task so that gradually all activists can enjoy “the best part for all”, at all times and in all places, the evidence of the true development of our Pan African organisation.
The only thing is that this report does not claim to list all the activities undertaken by the PAFETTU from May 1999 to date.
But it recounts a certain vision of solidarity and the will of certain activists and member organisations, to improve the image of the PAFETTU.
Despite our very limited resources, significant activities were undertaken from May 1999 to the beginning of the year 2002.
The last Bouznika Congress worked for the decentralisation of responsibilities, resulting from recommendations and assigned several tasks to the Executive Board that emerged from the elections.
The strategy was the assigning of responsibilities to zones where each zonal head can create a favourable environment for the initiatives in his zone and work with much flexibility in developing the degree of responsiveness to local needs.
The power thus decentralised prevents a concentration of activities, and one of the essential roles of the Executive Board was to sensitise the activists so that they can organise themselves in order to identify priority needs, evaluate strengths and constraints for the fulfilment of these needs, and then draw up and implement strategies and actions necessary to overcome the constraints to ensure the development of the PAFETTU.
Thus, the first action undertaken after the Congress was the election of each zonal head to the different positions of the Executive Board. The General Secretary being tasked with co-ordinating the activities of all the zones. The composition of the PAFETTU Executive Board after the elections is as follows:
1- General Secretary : Mansourou LALA ( Benin)
2- Deputy General Secretary : Shézi MUSA (South Africa)
3- Treasurer : Andaloussi Mohamed BENJELLOUN
(Morocco)
4- Secretary for Education
and Training : Alassane BITEYE (Senegal)
5- Secretary responsible for the equal
opportunities
and the defence of rights : MBOM MEFE (Cameroon)
6- Secretary for Organisation
and Communication : Sawmynaden SOONDRESS
(Mauritius)
Besides, the Bouznika Congress also gave new guidelines towards:
– Improving the communication strategies and mobility of grassroots activists,
– Strengthening the existing organisations,
– Contributing to the creation of new organisations,
– Collecting information with a view to developing data banks in each zone,
– improving the participation of women in the trade union movement,
– developing the training process at all levels,
– strengthening the PAFETTU and WCT by encouraging the affiliation of national trade organisations.
Before going into the main part of this report, we would like to thank and pay homage to our colleagues who gave the best of themselves to establish the present image of PAFETTU; to the WCT and DOAWTU which contributed considerably to the results we have achieved; then to partners like the CNV – AKO for their material and financial support.
Chapter 1: Seminars and Training
They are intended first and foremost for trade union officials and trainers with a potential multiplier effect.
They ensure the sensitisation on the awareness of problems and then the implementation of suitable actions and responses. These seminars have also been occasions to mobilise and strengthen member organisations and encourage non-members or hesitant organisations to become affiliated to the PAFETTU.
As part of the execution of the action programme of the Trade Action Department of the DOAWTU, the PAFETTU organised two (2) national seminars and a sub-regional or zonal seminar.
1 – National Seminars
While intended for you leaders and union officials, the national seminars are of more interest to the grassroots trade union activists. The themes chosen dealt with problems relating to the needs and priorities of national organisations.
A- The Lokossa Seminar
The PAFETTU organised a national seminar on the theme: “Education and child labour” from 15th to 18th May 2000 in Lokossa, BENIN.
This seminar which was opened by Benin’s Minister for Education brought together member trade unions of the PAFETTU.
In fact, the year 2000 was dubbed the campaign year for ratification of ILO Convention 182 on the worst forms of child labour, unanimously adopted by ILO member States at the end of the International Labour Conference held in Geneva in June 1999. Launched by the World Confederation of Labour (WCL), this campaign was undertaken on all continents.
The contribution of the PAFETTU was the organisation of this seminar which was given intense media coverage and led to the ratification of the said Convention by the government of Benin.
At the end of the seminar, several resolutions and recommendations were made to the government and institutions of the state of Benin as well as to the International Labour Conference of June 2000.
B- The Port-Louis Seminar
The national seminar on the theme “Reforms in the Educational Sector: Vision and Mission of the Trade Union” was held from 27th to 29th August 2001 in Port Louis, Mauritius.
This seminar which came at the appropriate time discussed the place to be given to the teacher after ongoing reforms in the educational system in Mauritius.
Just like that of Benin, the Port Louis seminar was opened by the Minister of Education and Scientific Research; with as much media coverage.
Some resolutions and recommendations were adopted through reflections incorporating all the implications of an educational reform relating to:
· the socio-cultural and economic aspects,
· the living and working conditions of the teaching staff,
· the education content and the academic curriculum,
· the new technologies,
· the needs of pre-vocational institutions for the “academically weak” students.
C- Sub-regional Seminars
These are a series of seminars conducted by the NAPTOSA with the support of the PAFETTU/DOAWTU for English-speaking member organisations of the PAFETTU.
These activities which were intended for Zambia - Zimbabwe - Mauritius and South Africa, were held from September to November on the following topics:
– Leadership training for union leaders.
– Aids, Racism Equal Opportunity.
– Reform in the Education sector, quality of education at all levels.
All these seminars are aimed at the strengthening of member organisations, and the development and promotion of the PAFETTU through new affiliations.
Chapter II: Missions
Three kinds of missions were undertaken to Niger, Burkina Faso and the Reunion and Seychelles.
1 - Niger
As part of the ordinary Congress organised by the FEDESEEN (Democratic Federation of National Education Unions) of Niger, a newly affiliated organisation, the PAFETTU was invited to participate actively.
This invitation was considered acceptable and was encouraged not only as a sign of support and encouragement but also to closely follow the evolution of actions at this level.
At the end of the mission, the following were suggested:
1- That the PAFETTU should strengthen its support, material and even financial assistance to all trade union members,
2- That to strengthen the unionism in the Education sector, the PAFETTU now includes in its obligations, its effective representation in the Congresses of members trade unions.
3- That the actions of the PAFETTU cease to be limited only to members of the Executive Board and liaison officials but should also be extended at least to officials of grassroots trade unions.
4- That the PAFETTU organises one or two seminars a year bringing together the officials from the grassroots (representatives of affiliated grassroots trade unions) which will encourage the sharing of experiences beyond borders.
5- That the PAFETTU works for the trade union training for its activists to give rise to the firm establishment of activists to this Federation.
Besides, from 24th to 26th September 2001, another mission was undertaken to Niger for clarification in the wake of the Congress of the Confederation of Workers of Niger to which the FEDESEEN, member organisation of the PAFETTU is affiliated and split after some kind of dissidence. In this imbroglio, an organisation (SYNATEB) was born and requested at the same time its affiliation to the PAFETTU; there was thus need for clarification.
The mission report is being drafted.
2- Burkina
By letter n° 2001-043/BN/SYNATEB of 18th August 2001, the General Secretary of the National Union of Basic Education Workers (SYNATEB) of Burkina Faso, Comrade Tahirou Traoré put in a request to the PAFETTU General Secretary for affiliation of his trade union to the PAFETTU.
Following this request, the PAFETTU sent an emissary to Ouagadougou from 24th to 26th September 2001 to establish contact and acquaintance.
To attain these objectives, several meetings were held with different personalities of the Burkina trade union movement and other sectors whose views were useful for the appraisal of the said request.
From these meetings, it emerged that the SYNATEB is an autonomous trade union well-known in Burkina Faso. It is a member of the Trade Unions Grouping. It is one of the most powerful trade unions of primary education in Burkina Faso.
In conclusion, it was suggested that the PAFETTU respond rapidly to the requests of autonomous and credible trade union organisations like SYNATEB, in order to prevent them from turning to other structures which portray an enticing picture of advantages that can attract the affiliation of these trade unions. Subject to the opinion of the governing bodies, the SYNATEB is worthy of belonging to the PAFETTU according to the conclusions of the report.
3 - The Reunion and Seychelles Islands
At the invitation of certain trade union organisations of the Reunion and Seychelles Islands which had meanwhile been sensitised, the PAFETTU undertook through the head of the Islands zone, a mission to the Reunion and Seychelles to discuss the opportunities for affiliation of these organisations to the PAFETTU.
The head of the Island zone will make a more detailed report of this mission.
Chapter III: Statutory Meetings
1- Pretoria 13th to 15th December 1999
Following the desire and at the invitation of the NAPTOSA, the first statutory meeting of the Executive Board after the Bouznika Congress was held in Pretoria in South Africa from 13th to 15th December 1999. The members of the Executive Board present noted the organisational capacity and importance of the NAPTOSA in South Africa.
After a brief evaluation of the Congress, the report of activities from 20th May to 10th December 1999 was adopted.
During the meeting several requests for affiliation were examined before stressing the issue of dues and taking important decisions relating to the management and functioning of the General Secretary, zonal Secretariats and of the PAFETTU in general. The details of these discussions are recalled in the financial report, which completes this report of activities.
2 - Yaoundé (Cameroon from 1st to 4th August 2000)
Based on the decision of the PAFETTU Executive Board, the second statutory meeting was held from 1st to 4th August 2000. The meeting was attended by all Board members, the WCT General Secretary and the General Secretary of the USLC (Union of Free Trade Unions of Cameroon) which opened this second session of the PAFETTU Executive Board in the presence of the Cameroonian Press.
The reports of activities of the General Secretariat and the sub-regional Secretariats were adopted before the analysis of the financial situation of the PAFETTU to make a realistic inventory of available resources of the Pan-African institution and priority activities.
During the discussions, there was an exchange of views on the action plan for training.
As part of the WCT Congress, the reflection and action on the participation of the woman teacher in Education and in the trade union structures was initiated and the PAFETTU should as far as possible contribute to the realisation of this project through debates, sensitisation in member organisations and the preparation for the participation of women teachers of Africa in the World Conference of the Female Teacher which will be held during the WCT Congress this year.
3 – Port Louis (Mauritius 30th to 31st August 2001)
The statutory meeting of Yaoundé had chosen the period and venue for the next meeting scheduled to be held in Madagascar or in Mauritius soon after the national seminar. Due to communication difficulties with Madagascar, the third statutory meeting was held in Port Louis as decided in Yaoundé in 2000.
Contrary to the two other meetings, the WCT General Secretary was unable to participate due to a tight schedule.
As usual, the meeting was chaired by LALA Mansourou, General Secretary of the PAFETTU, the activities were reviewed and reports adopted.
The Executive Board dealt with the request of the NAPTOSA demanding the replacement of Musa Shézi (DGS) and co-ordinator for Southern Africa by Comrade Eliam Biyela, current President of the NAPTOSA.
This question was disposed of with the admission of Comrade Biyela within the PAFETTU Executive Board by replacing Musa Shézi who has been assigned to other battlefronts, after the approval of members of the Committee of Advisors who were consulted in the meantime.
The functioning of the general secretariat, zonal secretariats and the PAFETTU in general was the subject of discussion; and exploratory missions and contacts were authorised.
During the same meeting, the PAFETTU Executive Board appraised the series of activities initiated by the NAPTOSA for Southern Africa aimed at the strengthening and rapprochement of member organisations of PAFETTU in Southern Africa.
The meeting again dealt with the question of dues which is increasingly becoming a recurrent issue and a challenge for the PAFETTU.
While urging member unions to fulfil their obligations, the Executive Board envisages to apply the relevant statutes. Several affiliation files were also examined during this session.
After its decision to encourage the NAPTOSA in its initiatives, the PAFETTU Executive Board, which held an extraordinary session on 30th and 31st August 2001 in Port Louis commended the latter for all its initiatives and its contribution to the PAFETTU.
The Board also thanked the General Secretary for his fight and his contribution to the improvement of the image of the PAFETTU within the DOAWTU.
Chapter IV: Activities of representation
During this mandate, the PAFETTU was presented at the National, Pan African, and International levels.
1 - National level
At this level, the PAFETTU was represented through the national seminars or missions as described above.
2 – Pan African level
At Pan African level, the PAFETTU participated in several activities.
Pan African Committee on Trade Action of the DOAWTU.
The PAFETTU was regularly present at the deliberations of this committee in 2000 and 2001
From 22nd to 24th March 2000 at the headquarters of the DOAWTU; three main issues were discussed.
The 2000 action plan, synthesis of the plans of all the Pan African Federations was examined and adopted.
Concerning the African Trade Action Policy, the participants made a thorough analysis and made concrete proposals which take into account the realities of Africa.
The third item is the triennial programme consists in establishing a plan of activities for each Pan African institution over three years: 2001 - 2003. The activities planned take into account the strengthening at the grassroots of national trade organisations for a more dynamic trade action, better structured for African workers. The FPPs also insisted on the dues and especially a synergy of action between the FPPs, the ITFs, the DOAWTU Executive Secretariat and the Secretariat of the WCT Trade Action.
From 26th to 30th March 2001 in Casablanca
Several items were on the agenda:
The 2000 action plan was evaluated and the reports of activities adopted. There was also the preparation for the 25th Congress of the WCT. At the end of the deliberations, the Pan African Committee on Trade Action proposed the PAFETTU General Secretary to the DOAWTU Executive Board, as its representative on the World Committee on Trade Action..
- General Council of DOAWTU
The General Council meeting of DOAWTU was held from 22nd to 25th May 2000 at the headquarters of DOAWTU in Lomé (TOGO). Our Federation also participated. During this Council meeting, the question of dues was discussed at length and several recommendations were made for the regular payment of dues namely:
The strict respect of the fundamental statutes relating to dues,
A deadline should be fixed for the payment of dues,
The activities of DOAWTU for affiliated organisations will henceforth take account of the level of payment of dues,
The increase in rate
The participation in activities of the DOAWTU will henceforth depend on the effective payment of dues
Several other subjects were discussed and the General Council honoured the PAFETTU by electing its General Secretary as responsible for the Pan African Federations and thus a member of the DOAWTU Executive Board.
After the examination and revision of the statutes and internal regulations, the size of the DOAWTU Executive Board was reduced from 14 to 12 members with the General Treasurer being a non-permanent member of the DOAWTU.
The DOAWTU Executive Board is as follows:
1 - President : Fernand KIKONGI (DRC)
Vice-President : *******************
2 – Francophone West Africa : Basile Ma-Gahe
(Côte d’Ivoire)
3 – Anglophone West Africa : Abraham KOOMSON (Ghana)
4 – Central Africa : Brahim Barkas (Chad)
5 – Southern Africa : Aloyse Yon (Namibia)
6 – North Africa : Mohamed Larbi KABBAJ
(Morocco)
7 – Indian Ocean Islands : David André Silamo
(Madagascar)
8 - General Secretary : Alioune SOW (Senegal)
9 – Deputy General Secretary : Adrien B. Akouété (Togo)
10 – General Treasurer : Pa Modou Fall (Gambia)
11 - Responsible for Pan African Federations : LALA Mansourou (Benin)
12 - Responsible for
the Women’s Commission : Angélique Corrée (Senegal)
13 - Auditors
(Non-members of the Board) : Ba Abdoulaye
(Burkina - Faso)
Jules Mousseni
(Cameroon)
From 9th to 13th July 2001, the PAFETTU participated in the statutory DOAWTU General Council meeting in Yaoundé in Cameroon. In addition to the members of the DOAWTU Executive Board, this council meeting included, all the Secretaries General of Pan African Federations, the Presidents and Secretaries General of National Confederations, the Pan African Commission on Women Workers, etc.
This council meeting dealt particularly with the participation of the DOAWTU in the 25the Congress of the WCL before the adoption of the list of candidatures to the different positions within the WCL governing bodies.
At this level too, the PAFETTU was honoured, since its General Secretary was retained as a Candidate for African Trade Action on the WCL Confederal Board.
3 - At International Level
The PAFETTU participated actively from 5th to 9th April 2000 in the seminar/session of the WCT Confederal Board in Geneva. This seminar was an occasion for the representatives of the PAFETTU to acquaint themselves with the functioning of the ILO, its organisation, size and the opportunities open to trade union organisations for co-operation.
During the session of the Confederal Board, the question of relations between the EI and the WCT was once again discussed and affiliations were decided on.
From 10th to 14th April 2000, the PAFETTU also participated together with the CMT in the Parity Meeting of the ILO on the discussion on lifelong education.
From 17th to 19th October 2001, the PAFETTU took part in the WCT Confederal Board which reviewed the situation concerning its regional organisations.
In Africa, the Board noted a renewal of activities which it appreciated.
The Board however expressed its concern for the Central Africa Zone which is marking time and where there is need for more impetus.
The Board also noted with satisfaction that co-operation, collaboration and solidarity with the DOAWTU are good. Another very important point worthy of attention is the question of relations between EI and the WCT which dominated the discussions of this session.
Finally, the problem of dues was also tackled and deserves much reflection.
From 20th to 27th, the PAFETTU was at the 25th Congress of the World Confederation of Labour held in Bucharest in Romania.
At the deliberations of the World Committee on Trade Action and those of the WCL Confederal Board, the PAFETTU Congress was present through the plenary sessions.
However it should be remembered that during the deliberations of the 25th WCL Congress, it came up that the Trade Action, considered as a fundamental element, a movement, an instrument and spearhead of the trade union action, should be strengthened both at the level of the structures, functioning and financing in order to enable the WCL to provide the specific responses to concrete problems.
Thus, a Deputy General Secretary responsible for the co-ordination of Trade Action was appointed at the WCL General Secretariat. Following the election of members of the WCL Confederal Board, the PAFETTU was once again honoured with the election of its General Secretary.
Messages and press releases
1 – Press releases
Following the Fax from the FAE (Morocco) of 5th June 1999, relating to a 48 hour strike action in the education sector the PAFETTU published in ‘les canards’ in Morocco, the press release of 7th June 1999 to show its support for teachers on strike.
By a press release of 27th November 2000, the PAFETTU encouraged the SYNTEC/CSTC (Central Africa) in its fight for the minimal fulfilment of the claims of its activists and on the same occasion made an appeal to all those who had the same aspirations to give their support to the SYNEC/CSTC.
2 - Message of support
Concurrently with the Pan African Committee on Trade Action of the DOWATU, the PAFETTU paid a visit on 27th March 2001 to Casablanca (Morocco) to teachers on hunger strike and delivered to them its message of support since they were only asking for decent and permanent work.
What can be retained from all the activities carried out during this mandate?
1 – Difficulties still exist at the level of communication. The policy of setting up a communication network must be pursued at the sub-regional secretariats and then extended to national trade organisations with the proposed installation at national confederations by the DOAWTU, of National Trade Action Secretariats (NTAS).
2 – The limited resources put at the disposal of zonal heads make it impossible to execute even 25 % of the zonal action plans.
3 – The training policy which is a fundamental element for the PAFETTU must be strengthened to attain a greater number of union officials and grassroots activists.
4 – The launch of the debate and sensitisation in the organisations for the participation of the female teacher in trade union activities remains a task to be accomplished immediately in order not to penalise the latter who however constitute a strong force in the education sector given their number.
5 – The major difficulty, which also constitutes a handicap for a steady development of the PAFETTU is the non payment of dues by member organisations; which prevents us from assessing the degree of unionisation and the real strength of the PAFETTU on the ground…
Despite these constraints and inadequacies, we can say with certainty that the PAFETTU has made progress. It is gradually establishing itself in all regions of Africa; from 11 members at birth, the PAFETTU today has 30 members and is present in at least 26 countries. Efforts must continue in the direction of anglophone countries.
It should be borne in mind that we need to constantly contemplate the future, master and build the present, driven by the desire only to make more progress. That is the commitment of the Executive Board in line with the confidence that you have placed in it. In order to translate this into concrete action, a four-year plan has been drawn up. If this plan is implemented in a methodological, effective and participatory manner, and also with the adoption of the orientation programme, this should enable us, in the next four years, to come closer to the activists and to our objectives, to strengthen us further and to be present in the rest of the African countries.
With regard to relations, the PAFETTU has good relations with all the other Pan African Federations and the national member organisations of the DOAWTU. The PAFETTU contributes its quota to the strengthening of the African Trade Action through the consolidation of Pan African Trade Federations.
The PAFETTU is developing excellent collaborative relations with the DOAWTU.
To show their confidence in the PAFETTU, the Secretaries General of the other Pan African organisations unanimously named the PAFETTU General Secretary as their representative on the DOAWTU Executive Board and representative of the African Trade Action before the DOAWTU itself promoted the PAFETTU at the 25th WCL Congress.
These different PAFETTU representations no doubt help in projecting a good picture and a better visibility, all of which improve the image of our Pan African organisation.
The results are perhaps not yet eloquent and honourable, but we derive somehow a legitimate pride since we believe that we are on the right track and will succeed in a few years, thanks to your usual support.
In the present context where the PAFETTU enjoys a certain privilege, we have the urgent duty to combine our actions and thoughts to preserve unity and cohesion; foster the climate of fraternal harmony and the spirit of solidarity without which the PAFETTU cannot experience sustainable development.
Let us thus have confidence in each other.
We cannot end this report without reiterating our thanks to all our partners, to the DOAWTU, the WCT, the CNV – AKO, the department of Trade Action/DOAWTU, the Pan African Federations, our activists and to all those who have made it a point of honour to contribute to the success of the activities of the PAFETTU during this mandate.
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