THE ORGANIZATION of Trade Unions of West Africa (OTUWA) has highlighted pressing challenges facing workers in the region, including shrinking civic space, military rule, and obstacles to unionization.
Acting President of OTUWA, Comrade Sophie Kourouma, raised these concerns when she led a delegation to pay a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Gilbert F. Houngbo, in Geneva.
Other members of the delegation include Comrade Emmanuel Agbenou, Secretary General, CSTT Togo, Comrade Idrissa Djibrilla of CDTN Niger, DSG of CNTS Sénégal and Comrade Max Conteh, General Secretary of Sierra Leone Labour Congress.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 2025 International Labour Conference (ILC).
While acknowledging the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), celebrated on May 28, 2025, Kourouma noted that economic integration and improved living standards remain unattained for many in the sub-region.
She referenced a recent editorial describing West Africa as “one of the world’s worst poverty-stricken belts” and expressed concern over democratic backsliding, with four nations currently under military rule. Three of these — Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger — have withdrawn from ECOWAS to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in protest against demands for democratic restoration.
Workers’ Rights Under Threat
Citing the International Trade Union Confederation’s (ITUC) 2025 Global Rights Index, Kourouma expressed worry over Nigeria’s ranking among the “10 worst countries for workers.”
She emphasized growing difficulties in advocating for labour rights amid repression and urged the ILO to strengthen tripartite consultation and support unions in military-ruled states.
Unionization Struggles in Liberia, The Gambia
Kourouma welcomed the ILO’s recent Direct Contact Mission to Liberia, which assessed barriers to public-sector unionization under the Decent Work Act (2015) and Civil Servants Standing Orders. She however cautioned against resistance from Liberia’s Attorney General, stressing that the constitution guarantees workers’ right to unionize.
In The Gambia, she called for ILO intervention to promote an inclusive labour centre, noting the new labour minister’s trade union background as a positive step toward reform.
Terrorism and Labour Resilience
Kourouma also addressed the impact of insurgent groups like Boko Haram on workers, urging continued ILO support for capacity-building under Recommendation 205 (2017) to enhance resilience in crisis-affected areas.
Appeal for Sustained ILO Funding
Kourouma underscored ILO’s critical role in global labour standards and urged member states to safeguard its funding amid broader UN budgetary constraints.
“As organized labour, we recognize the global challenges affecting the funding of international organizations. However, we hope ILO member states will ensure this vital UN body — with its unique tripartite structure — does not face the same financial constraints as other agencies.
“The ILO’s work in research, capacity development, and setting global labour standards is too important to be undermined,” Kourouma stated, as she thanked Houngbo for meeting with OTUWA’s delegation and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to collaboration with the ILO.
