Shabait.com (Asmara)
24 March 2008
Asmara — The regional conference on the Role of Trade Unions in Regional Integration in Africa opened today in Asmara. It is organized by the National Confederation of Eritrean Workers (NCEW) in collaboration with the Trade Union Federation of Eastern Africa (TUFEA).
Speaking at the opening session, in which ministers, senior PFDJ officials, government officials, diplomats and invited guests took part, the Secretary General of NCEW, Mr. Tekeste Baire, expressed appreciation to the participants for taking part in discussions on issues of vital significance in promoting peace and stability in the African continent, especially in this region. He added that the holding of the conference is significant in view of this challenging period the people of the region are going through as a result of conflict.
Besides, it would create a conducive ground for exchanging experience through exploring ways of possible cooperation and collaboration, Mr. Tekeste underlined.
Also in a speech he delivered representing the Ministry of Labor and Human Welfare, Mr. Abraham Gebremedhin, head of Labor Relations in the Ministry, stated that the conference is being held at a time when the peace and security of each nation is being jeopardized due to external interference. He further stressed the need for the conference to pave the way for Africa to resolve its problems itself. He also called on other regions of the continent to emulate the initiative.
Pointing out that the Eritrean government is implementing major programs within the framework of the Warsay-Yikaalo Development Campaign on the basis of internal resources, Mr. Abraham underscored that tripartite relations among the Government, employees and employers is taking place smoothly in Eritrea.
Moreover, the Chairman of TUFEA, Mr. Francis Atoli, thanked the NCEW for organizing the regional conference and said that trade unions are duty bound to support the endeavors of their respective governments in view of the fact that regional integration leads to economic integration. Noting that Africa has been a source of cheap raw materials and labor in the world market for centuries, Mr. Francis Atoli reminded African countries to formulate policies that could be effectively implemented and refrain from implementing policies drawn up abroad.
Similarly, the Secretary General of the African Unity Trade Union Organization, Mr. Hassen Samuni, stressed the importance of the conference in understanding the root causes of conflict and noted the major role that African trade unions played in the struggle for independence.
Representatives of Eritrea, Sudan, Egypt, Kenya, Djibouti, Seychelles, Zanzibar, Rwanda, Burundi and Mauritius, as well as workers' associations from Africa and Italy, are taking part in the 4 - day conference.
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