The BWI Africa and Middle East region, in partnership with affiliates NUCECFWW and CCESSA, held a one-and-a-half-day Regional Organising Academy (ROA) seminar in Abuja, Nigeria, on 15-16 October 2024. The event drew around 41 participants, including 14 women, representing 10 affiliates from 10 different countries. The seminar opened with strong messages about the urgency of defending and advancing workers' rights amid global challenges and the expanding influence of multinational corporations (MNCs), notably Chinese MNCs.

The discussion highlighted several major challenges in the BWI sectors within the region, such as subcontracting characterised by short-term contracts, low wages, restricted freedom of association, limited coverage of collective bargaining agreements, inadequate social protections, and poor workplace health and safety. Despite these hurdles, affiliates shared successful strategies for organising workers in BWI sectors, especially in Chinese MNCs, and influencing infrastructure projects funded by international financial institutions. Tactics included campaigns that reputation of rcompanies that violate labour rights, engaging informal sector workers through memoranda of understanding and collaborations, and reaching out to local and indigenous community leaders.

Guest speaker Inviolata Chinyangarara from ILO ACTRAV stressed the need to organise and sustain union membership, especially in the construction sector, where many workers are migrants or operate within the informal economy. She pointed out that innovative approaches like the ROA could pave the way for revitalising and strengthening trade unions. Chinyangarara suggested actions such as conducting gap analyses of existing collective bargaining agreements, developing union sustainability plans, and establishing ways to measure the impact of organising efforts. Participants welcomed these suggestions and emphasised additional measures, including improving negotiation skills, staying informed about labour market changes, involving women and youth in decision-making processes, forming alliances with key stakeholders, and engaging with local communities.

The region intends to leverage the "Innovative Unionism" initiative to explore new ideas and approaches for organising unorganised workers, with a focus on digitalisation and the future of work. ”ROA represents a turning point for BWI affiliates in the region. Through ROA, we can equip ourselves with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate existing challenges and ensure that workers' rights are protected and advanced," said Ibrahim Walama, Chair of the BWI Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Global Network and General Secretary of NUCECFWW.

In his closing remarks, BWI General Secretary Ambet Yuson emphasised the power that affiliates possess and encouraged the delegates to leverage this power with a view of shaping the world of work in favour of workers.