Arab Trade Unions: Between Democratic Deficiency and the Need for Reform

What is the role of trade unions in the face of attacks on labour rights, the retrenchment of welfare states, and the curtailment of social and democratic rights by right-wing and authoritarian governments? This question is not only relevant in the Maghreb region—which we will focus on in this event—but is also of increasing importance in Europe and other regions facing similar trends.

How can trade unions organise and react to these challenges? What kinds of strategies are needed? What can we learn from the experience of Arab trade unions?

Speakers

We are pleased to host Mohamed Trabelsi, former Minister of Social Affairs and Labour, Tunisia, and ILO senior specialist in workers' activities for Northern Africa.

Comments

Comments will be offered by Reiner Hoffmann, former president of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) and Vice President of Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES)

Moderator

Robin Frisch, FES Country Director, Algeria

Chair

Martina Sproll, IPE Berlin

This is a joint event with the support of Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES).

This event is held in English, although Mohamad Trabelsi will give his main presentation in French. Translation services are provided by FES.