Dr. Atwoli Elected as Workers Spokesperson on the African Continent in Cote d’ Ivoire.

The Secretary General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions, COTU (K) was this morning unanimously elected the Workers Spokesperson and Chair of the Workers Group at the official opening of the 14th International Labour Organization, ILO African Regional Meeting in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

Brother Atwoli’s name was proposed by the President of the International Trade Union Confederation, ITUC Brussels Ayubba Wabba who is also the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress and who described the COTU (K) boss as a distinguished labour leader on the continent who has exhibited commitment and dedication to the ideals of the working men and women and whose fight for social justice remains unmatched.

The position elevates Atwoli to the higher position of Vice President for the meeting from the workers group and will see him chair all workers group meetings convened to take positions on behalf of the entire African Workers and proceed to be their Spokesperson in the Plenary that will be taking place throughout the Regional Meeting that opened on 3rd December and will close on 6th December 2019.

The Regional Meeting comes every after four years and brings together all governments, employers and workers from the entire African Continent who meet to deliberate on key issues that affect the world of work and debate on how best to address such issues from the government’s, employer’s and worker’s sides and it also marks 60 years of the ILO existence in Africa.

In his acceptance remarks, the COTU (K) Secretary General said he was humbled and felt honoured for the confidence that the entire leadership of workers on the continent had shown in electing him as their spokesperson and chair adding he remains committed and dedicated to serving and fighting for social justice for the working men and women on the continent and beyond.

He said as the ILO celebrates its Centenary, the big question should be: What can an ordinary worker celebrate? He noted that we are living in turbulent times, where casualization, poor pay, seasonal jobs and job losses have become a norm as platform economies keep growing amid a shrinking formal economy. We must stand firm, not relent in our quest to cross over with the workers whose mandate we carry with us.

The meeting is attended by top African government leaders among them Presidents, Ministers as well as the ILO Director General Guy Ryder.

Dr. Francis Atwoli, NOM (DZA), EBS, MBS,

SECRETARY GENERAL