Most Arab countries have recorded a terrifying decline in economic and social indicators over the past year, which has had a major impact on the ability of workers and vulnerable groups to cope with the cost of living, due to the reduction of social support programs and the engagement of most Arab governments in unilateral economic reform programs that have absolved them of their social responsibilities and reduced their role in the amendment process.
This crisis was accompanied by systematic campaigns to weaken trade unions and blatant violations of their internationally and nationally guaranteed rights, as reflected in the low rankings of most Arab countries in the International Trade Union Confederation’s (ITUC) index of trade union rights and freedoms for 2022.
Many Arab countries that were once a model of success in social and professional relationships have witnessed a significant decline in labour rights due to a number of restrictive government measures on the right to negotiate and clear violations against trade union officials, even reaching the point of imprisonment and legal prosecution, and the review of trade union regulations towards a more restrictive direction. This year also witnessed a systematic exclusion of independent unions in the Arab region by limiting government dealings with official federations, despite their recognition of these independent unions.
The Arab Trade Union Confederation encourages all its member organizations to defend their right to independent trade unionism and struggle against the weakening campaigns they face, their commitment to the approach of social dialogue as a means to solve all the interrelated problems increases due to the profound changes that the Arab labour market is experiencing, which has been affected by the devastating consequences of COVID-19 so far.
The social dialogue has been a fundamental demand of unions to address economic crises in a participatory framework among social partners, away from unilateral options that have only resulted in further crisis escalation and strained relations. In a period where most Arab countries register alarming indicators of unemployment, poverty, and various forms of migration, coupled with a decline in productive investments and a significant drop in purchasing power for workers, the social dialogue has become crucial.
ATUC, based on its founding principles, condemns the restrictions and violations faced by unions in most Arab countries. As much as it emphasizes the solidarity of trade union organizations around the world, it calls for the development of trade union solidarity into peaceful pressure mechanisms capable of limiting the deterioration of the conditions of trade union practice in the Arab region.
On the side-lines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly next September, the Arab Trade Union Confederation calls on all trade union organizations and living forces that love peace to support all efforts to stop wars and divisions in Yemen, Sudan, Libya, and to support the just cause of the Palestinian people and workers and put an end to the continued crimes and violations of the occupation authorities, urging them to respect the internationally recognized legitimacy and the right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent, sovereign state with its capital in Jerusalem.
Long live the Arab Trade Union movement,
Free, democratic, and independent,
In the service of workers,
And for a sustainable peace in the Arab region.
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