Mauritania: the National Bureau of the CGTM holds an ordinary session

The National Bureau of the Confédération Générale des Travailleurs de Mauritanie (CGTM – general confederation of Mauritanian workers) meet on 22 – 24 November 2012 at the Training and Research Centre for Women in Nouakchott, chaired by the General Secretary Abdallahi Ould Mohamed dit Nahah, who opening the session asked the members present to observe a minute’s silence in memory of two comrades Biry N’Diaye and Mohamed Ould Mechdoufi who had passed away recently.

In his opening address, the General Secretary issued a reminder that the present session of the National Bureau was being held in a global context marked by a serious economic and financial crisis which has affected and continues to affect employment and the income of millions of workers. The General Secretary criticised the measures taken to resolve the crisis, measures, which he says, are still not based on a genuine willingness by world leaders to put decent work at the heart of the desired recovery. As such, he affirmed the CGTM’s solidarity with the positions adopted by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the Global Unions on fair and equitable rights-based globalisation based on the international labour standards.

Speaking about the national situation, brother NAHAH indicated that it is characterised by a chronic deterioration in worker’s purchasing power, endemic unemployment, repeated violations of the labour laws and conventions in force by both the State and private employers, the precariousness and commodification of jobs particularly in high labour intensity sectors such as the Mines and Building and Public Works and the absence of genuine dialogue between the social partners.

Commenting on the political crisis in our country, the General Secretary indicated that the CGTM met with the representatives of Mr Messaoud Ould Boulkheir, President of the Alliance Populaire et Progressiste (APP - popular progressive alliance) party and those of the Coordination de l’Opposition Démocratique (COD – coordination of democratic opposition). The CGTM informed these representatives who presented possible crisis solutions, that although they are not indifferent to the country’s political future, the CGTM was and will remain a trade union actor equidistant from all political actors.

The session of the CGTM National Bureau which lasted 3 days, enabled the participants through discussions and exchanges of views to produce a clear inventory of the status of the organisation, to discuss the social and economic situation of the country and to identify prospects for 2013.

Following the meeting, the National Bureau took the necessary steps so that the organisational structures of the CGTM can play their role by forging closer links with their respective constituencies.

Within this framework, the National Bureau recommended greater use of Information Technology and Communications to disseminate trade union training modules and at minimum cost.

The material and financial resources must support the defined strategic objectives and ensure the sustainability of the solutions adopted. In this regard, the mobilisation of our own resources from members’ dues is fundamental.

The National Bureau also highlighted the importance of developing a framework document on GGTM’s strategic planning whose priority is the defence and promotion of workers’ rights to improve their material, moral and professional conditions.

In addition, the National Bureau has called on all professional trade unions, regional coordinating bodies and also the grassroots organisations to strengthen their mobilisation and the management of their actions to support the demands that the CGTM sent to government and employers in April 2012 and which up until now, remain unanswered. Consequently, the National Bureau reiterated its call for an immediate opening of social negotiations between the social partners on the legal provisions in the labour code Article 90 and 265 on representativeness.

Following the session of the CGTM National Bureau, an executive committee composed of 9 members including 5 women was elected.
Please note that the National Bureau is the CGTM’s second body after the General Council. It is made up of 20 members who are elected during the previous Congress plus the general secretaries of the professional federations and trade unions, regional coordinators and the chairperson(s) of affiliated organisations.

Article provided by CGTM