African trade unions empower successor generation

Trade unions from Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe held a successor generation workshop on 18-20 July in Nairobi, Kenya to build and develop second-line leaders among their members in the youth and women sectors. 

Attended by 20 young trade unionists, the workshop oriented the participants on trade union leadership and responsibilities, and encouraged them to take a long-term career in the trade union movement.

The young trade unionists received encouraging words from Julius Macharia Maina, Chairperson of the Kenya Building Construction, Timber & Furniture Industries Employees Union (KBCTFIEU). They also acquired valuable input from Jane Njoki, former youth representative of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-Kenya), and Eva Magiri, independent gender training consultant.  

The workshop concluded with the young trade unionists committing to establish and strengthen youth committees and structures in their respective unions, and have a better understanding of the available international and regional instruments to advance their interests.  They also agreed to maximise all available social media platforms to promote BWI’s thematic campaigns and strategies, and continue the process of organising among young workers.