East Africa: GETTING ORGANISED: A Regional Conference to Build Journalists' Unions in Eastern Africa [Declaration]

Towards Stronger Unions to Achieve Better Conditions

DECLARATION

WE, the leaders of journalists trade unions and associations of EAJA affiliates from Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Djibouti, Ethiopia and South Sudan in attendance, meeting at the Regional Conference, organized by Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA) with the support of the Friedrich-Ebert Foundation (FES) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) as well as participation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC- Africa), West African Journalists Association (WAJA), Central Organization of Trade Unions of Kenya (COTU-K) and UNESCO, to build Journalists’ Unions in Eastern Africa under the theme “Towards Stronger Unions to Achieve Better Working Conditions”, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 12-13 June;

CONCERNED about the appalling working conditions of journalists in Eastern Africa and the poor organization of journalists and other media workers;

NOTED with concern the insecure environment in which journalists in Eastern Africa are operating, including the killings of journalists with impunity;

REITERATING our dedication to further reinforce EAJA and empower its affiliated unions and associations to realize better working and living conditions for journalists;

EMERGING from this conference emboldened and united to carry out the roadmap on trade union development and organizing which was adopted at this conference;

APPRECIATING the invaluable and enriching inputs from the representatives of International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Friedrich-Ebert Foundation (FES), UNESCO, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa), West African Journalists Association (WAJA) and Central Organization of Trade Unions of Kenya (COTU-K), the mass democratic movement and the international friends of EAJA and its affiliates;

WE RESOLVE TO:

 

1.      Commit ourselves to resist all attempts to reduce the rights and freedoms of journalists.

2.      Fight for the rights of journalists and other media workers as the fundamental basis of social justice, human rights and democracy.

3.      Defend and expand collective bargaining powers of journalists as a means of securing better working and living conditions.

4.      Strengthen the rights of freelance and casual journalists, with a combination of an organizing strategy and protection of their rights in the law.

5.      Commit ourselves to unceasing battle against violations of journalists’ rights, press freedom, trade union rights, social justice and politics of patronage. These practices constitute a cancer that is slowly eating away the values that journalists and their trade unions in Africa stand for, such as selflessness and service to the journalists and allied media workers.

6.      Work for an end to unlawful restrictions on journalists unions and anti-trade union discrimination against union leaders in Eastern Africa.

7.      Work hard to further reinforce EAJA as a true champion of the interests of journalists, a fearless fighter for press freedom, trade union rights, democracy and justice.

8.      Defend workers’ organizing rights, and call for the review of labour laws that are not in conformity with international labour standards.

9.      Work to ensure better enforcement and monitoring of labour laws that are in conformity with the international labour standards.

10.  Ensure that appropriate legislation is enacted where they are lacking, to protect the working conditions of journalists.

11.  Seek to develop the practical solidarity of journalists and allied workers against the multinationals that today dominate the media industry in the region.

12.  Continue to support the struggles of journalists and their organizations against repressive regimes and other oppressive forces that are hostile to their rights, freedoms and well-being. We will continue to show active solidarity with journalists in the face of cruel suppression.

13.  Improve the safety and security of journalists and other media workers.

14.  Seek minimum standards of social protection and service conditions.

 

June 15, 2011 by East African Journalists Association (EAJA)

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(received by email 15.06.2011)