Sep 2, 2009

Launch of pesticides project in Western Africa

The first union project on sound management of pesticides use in the sugar cane and cotton sectors of the French-speaking Afican countries of Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso and Benin, was presented in Cotonou, Benin from August 24 – 26, 2009. The project is a follow up of a pilot initiative originally carried by IUF, ILO and the WHO in 1995 in Tanzania, Ghana, and Kenya.
With the support of Sustainlabour the project aims to strengthen workers skills and knowledge on occupational health and safety, and the environment in these two sectors, which are known for their use of high levels of pesticides. Leer más...

Sep 1, 2009

Food Crisis and Climate Change

The ITUC – Africa with the support of Sustainlabour, held the first trade union workshop on Food Crisis and Climate Change in Africa from August 17-18, 2009 in Lome, Togo. A total of 30 unionists from 19 countries took part in this event. Activities carried out in this workshop are part of the joint UNEP-Sustainlabour project on “Strengthening trade union participation to international environmental processes”.
Over the two day workshop participants analyzed the causes of the deteriorating state of global food availability. This included discussion about financial factors; unequal distribution of land; unsustainable use of natural resources such as water, and threats to biodiversity, along with a special analysis of the impacts of climate change on agriculture. Leer más...