Antananarivo, 13 June 2022
The Better Work Programme has launched a series of training of trainers (ToTs) on social compliance for Malagasy trade unions.
As part of its activities in Madagascar, launched in 2021 with the support of the European Union, Better Work aims to strengthen the capacity of industry stakeholders – including trade unions – on the application of the labour code to contribute to better working conditions, mature industrial relations and an effective workforce management.
The trainings began with a session on the ‘Comité d’Entreprise’ (bipartite committee) for union representatives in the Analamanga region. This series will also include sessions on strengthening grievance mechanisms, gender equality, prevention of violence and harassment in the workplace, and the understanding and application of international labour standards in the workplace. The same trainings will be delivered for trade unions in the Vakinankaratra region, in Antsirabe starting in July 2022. The training will equip union members with the necessary tools to support workers in the textile and garment sector and other industrial sectors.
“This training series is at the heart of the Better Work’s strategy to promote supply chain governance through supporting companies, ILO constituents and institutional reform projects in the industry,” said Anne-Laure Henry-Gréard, Better Work’s Chief Technical Advisor in Madagascar “Our long-term sustainability approach is to ensure greater ownership of social compliance by national stakeholders.” This effort complements the range of activities already undertaken by the ILO with trade unions on decent work in supply chains in Madagascar.
The Coordinator of the Conférence des Travailleurs de Madagascar (CTM), Rémi Botoudi, stressed the importance of knowledge sharing to reinforce the achievements of one generation of trade unionists to another. He welcomed the contribution of such training to help trade unions better exercise their roles and understand their responsibilities in strengthening social dialogue.
Coffi Agossou, ILO Resident Representative for Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius and Seychelles, said that “good working conditions and respect for workers’ rights are essential to ensure the competitiveness of the industry, create decent jobs and contribute to positive and inclusive growth.” He continued, “It is also part of the criteria for compliance with preferential free trade agreements that allow Madagascar to maintain its place in the global export market.”
For more information, please contact Mr. RABEARIVELO Ranto Michaël, Communication Consultant for Better Work Madagascar at rabearivelo@iloguest.org