News

On 23 and 24 October 2012, UNI Africa participated in the Regional Conference of the FES on the guidelines of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) for Multinational Enterprises (MNEs).



This important meeting which was held in two days aimed to raise awareness of workers to the opportunity that the guiding principles of the OECD represents in the framework of the resolution of conflicts on the one hand, and on the other hand to investigate their role in the promotion of corporate social responsibility, human rights and decent work.



The first day was rich in information and sharing of experiences. Participants were instructed on the following two themes:

- the Guiding principles on human rights in the business world: implementation of the framework "Protect, Respect, Repair";

- The guiding principles of the OECD Guidelines for MNEs



The two themes were brilliantly discussed respectively by Dr Michael Addo, from the Working Group of the UN on human rights and MNEs and other business enterprises and by Kirstine Drew from the Trade Union Advisory Committee (TUAC) to the OECD .



Then, the participants benefited from the experience of an NGO and two global unions in the matter, especially UNI Africa, the International Union of Food and GRAPAD Benin NGO. It is clear from these experiences that if the principles of the OECD Guidelines have no binding on signatory states, they remain still a chance that workers' organizations should exploit to their advantage.



The second day was devoted to group work and plenary session. These exercises allowed participants to familiarize themselves with the use of the complaints mechanism by simulating a case of submitting a complaint in accordance with the guidelines of the OECD.



At the end of this conference, it is revealed a need for more enlarged of the OECD guidelines in workers area, MNCs and also Governments.

UNI Africa has welcomed his legendary collaboration with FES and congratulated FES for organizing this conference.

As for the participants, UNI Africa urged them to train, learn and share experience in the network created.