With more than 20% of the world's surface, 17% of its forests, 40% of its biodiversity and 30% of the world´s mineral stocks, Africa is one of the richest regions of the world, and home to over a billion people, of whom 40% are under fifteen. It is also the continent with the highest rates of malnutrition and poverty, characterized by violent conflicts, environmental degradation and health emergencies. The social and economic tensions alongside environmental and climate changes are huge challenges for the region and call for urgent action at local, regional and international level.
In Sustainlabour we work together with trade union organizations in the region to promote the search for alternatives, from a trade union perspective and committed to a sustainable development that guarantees the right to a healthy environment that ensures decent living conditions for all.
During 2010 we worked with 62 trade union organizations from 25 different countries, with a total of 126 participants in our activities. We jointly held the second Conference on Labour and the Environment with ITUC-Africa and undertook various training activities on chemicals.
In 2011 we began a training course with ACTRAV and we are supprting trade unions in the region in mobilising for COP17 in Durban. In addition, we are supporitng trade union campaigns to raise awareness on environmental topics in Uganda and Ethiopia.
Take a look at our activities to find out more about our work in this region.
20 February Side event at the First Universal Session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum
Next February 20th, Sustainlabour organizes a side event inside the first universal session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum, that will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 18-22 February 2013
Creating green and decent work is a common goal for both the European Union and South Africa. These two regions are facing up to an unemployment crisis spiraling out of control which is condemning millions of workers to poverty and social exclusion - with young people being especially hard hit - meaning now is the time to prioritize and widen initiatives to reach this goal.
Creating green and decent work is a common goal for both the European Union and South Africa.Trade Unions from these regions met the 12th and 13th of February in Johannesburg to share both experiences and strategies and also to discuss these themes with their respective governments and other society actors
Green jobs to reduce unemployment -in particular for young workers-, to increase jobs quality and to shift the economy from its energy-intensive growth model? A new report from Sustainlabour on plans and state of the art.
With rates of unemployment and inequality that none of the societies can afford, these studies provide an overview of where we are in green jobs, one of the elements of a possible solution for the unemployment crisis of both regions
The decision was adopted in response to EU Commission consultation on unconventional fossil fuels in Europe
