The Push for More Inclusive Unions

Kampala, Uganda – For decades, trade unions were seen as the domain of factory workers and civil servants—predominantly male, formally employed, and urban-based. But across Africa, a quiet revolution is unfolding as labor organizations actively work to dismantle these exclusionary structures. From Uganda’s market vendors to Ghana’s kayayei (female porters), unions are rewriting the playbook on worker representation.

Why Inclusivity Matters Now More Than Ever

Africa’s workforce is changing:

• Informal sector dominates: 85% of workers lack formal employment contracts

• Women bear the brunt: They comprise 70% of informal workers but face systemic barriers

• Youth unemployment crisis: 60% of Africa’s unemployed are under 25

• Persons with disabilities excluded: Only 10% have union representation

“When we talk about workers’ rights, we must mean all workers,” says Nakato Mary, a market vendor leader with UMAEU.

4 Key Areas for Inclusive Union Growth

1. Gender Equity in Labor Movements

The Challenge:

• Only 15-30% of union leadership positions in Africa are held by women

• Sexual harassment remains prevalent in many workplaces

Progress:

• UMAEU’s 70% female membership actively shapes policies

• South Africa’s Domestic Workers Union created women-only safe spaces

• Kenya’s Flower Workers Union implemented anti-harassment hotlines

2. Embracing Informal Workers

Breaking Traditions:

• Uganda’s UMAEU represents street vendors and market traders

• Ghana’s Union of Informal Workers Associations (UNIWA) organizes head porters

• Nigeria’s StreetNet Alliance gives voice to roadside traders

Innovative Models:

• Mobile registration drives in markets

• Flexible meeting times for workers who can’t leave stalls

• Visual (non-literacy dependent) training materials

3. Youth Engagement Strategies

Bridging the Gap:

• Digital-first outreach: TikTok labor rights explainers, WhatsApp organizing

• Apprenticeship programs: Pairing young workers with union mentors

• Gig worker inclusion: Organizing Uber drivers, freelance creatives

Success Story:
Rwanda’s Young Workers Committee increased youth membership by 40% through gaming-style learning apps about labor rights.

4. Disability Inclusion

Removing Barriers:

• Sign language interpreters at union meetings

• Braille versions of collective bargaining agreements

• Mobility-friendly union offices

Pioneers:

• Tanzania’s Federation of Disabled People’s Organizations partners with unions

• Nigeria’s National Union of Textile Workers created disability-friendly factories

The Road Ahead: Making Inclusion Stick

1. Leadership Quotas:

• Reserve seats for women, youth, and PWDs in decision-making

2. Cultural Shifts:

• Address unconscious bias in union cultures

• Celebrate diverse worker stories

3. Strategic Partnerships:

• Collaborate with women’s groups, disability orgs, and youth networks

4. Measurement Matters:

• Track diversity metrics in membership and leadership

As UMAEU’s Gender Officer notes:
“Inclusion isn’t about charity—it’s about power. When the woman selling tomatoes has the same voice as the factory supervisor, that’s when real change happens.”