Mondiaal FNV provides input on Africa strategy

On Friday 26 May, the government presented the long-awaited Africa strategy. Mondiaal FNV closely followed the development and enabled trade union leaders from Africa to contribute their priorities. Do we see these in the final result? A first reaction.

Construction worker in Rwanda. Photo: Jan Banning

Democracies with support

Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, General Secretary of the African organisation within the International Trade Union Confederation, made recommendations for the Netherlands’ Africa strategy last year. Mondiaal FNV has at various times shared this with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A selection from  his recommendations:

Responsible business conduct & fair work

African stakeholders presented their priorities for the Africa Strategy in a series of events last year. Mondiaal FNV organised an online meeting on responsible business conduct and fair work, in conjunction with the CSR Platform. Trade union leaders from our network emphasised the importance of trade union rights: if they are respected, workers can jointly enforce improvements in a whole variety of areas. For instance, the living wage, safe and healthy working, gender equality, social protection and combating forced labour and child labour.

It is therefore important that rules are introduced that oblige companies to take their responsibility in ensuring that these rights are respected. It should not be optional for Albert Heijn, for example, to prevent exploitation in the products on their shelves. Doing business in a responsible manner should be a common thread throughout the Africa strategy, with extra attention given to trade union freedom. Dutch companies should contact local stakeholders such as trade unions as a normal part of their business operations. They know what the local issues are and what is needed to prevent and resolve human rights violations.

Do we see any of this in the final result?

Beginning with that common thread: responsible business conduct. Under the heading 'Sustainable and responsible trade and value chains, it is once again stated that the OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises remain as the guiding principle for Dutch policy on international corporate social responsibility (ICSR), also in application in addition to current or upcoming legislation. This keeps the ambition level high and should ensure that companies identify and address risks to people and the environment in their chains. 'This also applies to risks in value chains of Dutch companies with operations that extend to African countries.' It is very good to see this principle so clearly stated. In addition, the Trade Union Co-financing programme of Mondiaal FNV and CNV International is highlighted as an additional mechanism for helping value chains with trade unions become more sustainable.

Equal economic relations

It is good that the Africa strategy addresses the issue of unequal international economic relations , especially under the heading of equal economic relations. The importance of inclusive economic growth is emphasised in various places, but how this is achieved is less convincingly elaborated. The business community is seen as a 'jobs engine and producer of prosperity' and offering prospects for decent work is mentioned just once. Here is another opportunity to further explore how we can work towards broad prosperity. Creating more jobs is important, providing this involves decent work. Something in which unions are a crucial player.

Importance of civil society

Another of the strategy’s good points is the emphasis placed on the importance of civil society : 'The Netherlands shares the vision of the AU [African Union – ed.] Agenda 2063 that sufficient civic space, or space for civil society, is essential for societies where people are able to realise their potential.' Strengthening civil society organisations, including trade unions, is explicitly set as a priority. This is also very important in achieving democracies and policies that have support, for example in the field of a just climate transition.

Human rights

Universal human rights have a prominent position in the chapter on the guiding principles of the strategy. Trade union rights are not referred to as such, but on the other hand reference is made to human rights violations, which trade unions, in particular, are able to address. Examples are forced labour or child labour, the right to social protection and working towards a living wage. The formalisation of the informal economy is a wish expressed in the document, but the role that might be played by the social partners is not referred to.   

Universal human rights have a prominent place in the chapter on the guiding principles of the strategy. Trade union rights are not mentioned as such, but mention is, however, made of human rights violations, which trade unions above all are equipped to address. These include forced or child labour, the right to social security and working towards a living wage. The formalisation of the informal economy is a wish expressed in the document, but the role that social partners are able to  play is not mentioned.  

Conclusion 

Finally, colleague Rosa van Wieringen, Africa policy officer, wishes to add the following:

“It is clear that the Ministry has gone about its task with every due care and has published a most important document. The fact that it has also extensively consulted African stakeholders is to be commended. However, I would have liked to have seen the role of the trade union movement included more explicitly. It is vital for strong democracies, inclusive economic development and a just climate transition, that workers are able to organise and make a stand together. The question is also whether the Ministry will be able to realise these ambitions now that it has been announced that a significant part of the development budget will go towards the reception of asylum seekers.”