Though there is no an internationally agreed definition for civil society organizations and it has various contextual meanings as sources indicate civil society organization could be taken as the sum of voices which are not controlled by the government.
Depending on the goal and objectives of those organizations, their establishment has multidimensional contribution to the society as well as for the nation. Amongst their chief functions, protection of citizens, holding those in power responsible and accountable, advocacy and public communication, socialization, building/bonding community, intermediation and facilitation between citizens and state and service delivery are few, sources elaborate.
The Confederation of Ethiopian Labor Unions, as one of the civil society organizations, was founded fifty seven years ago with the aim to ensure employees’ wellbeing and job safety, advocate their rights and support them to form their own association and so on.
The Confederation is amongst Ethiopia’s largest multi-ethnic civil society organization. Even if creating employees’ associations and organizing workers were not an easy task in earlier years, the Confederation currently represents more than 750,000 workers. Along with the Solidarity Center, it is striving to improve its member outreach programs through regional centers.
Intending to go hand in hand with the moving political and economic reform and to ensure workers’ interest, recommendations are regularly submitted to officials at all levels of government, as to the Center.
As part of the activities carried out to protect the right of its members during and post-election periods, the Confederation jointly with the Africa Solidarity Center discussed on ways how to play a role in making the upcoming national election more peaceful and democratic.
Election periods (during and post) are challenging and might be uncertain in some ways. Civil society organizations in this regard can play substantial role in reducing conflicts and sustaining peace, holding those in power accountable and enhancing democracy through peaceful ways.
In this regard, the Confederation has forwarded guidelines which support to facilitate free discussions, allow members to elect any political party as well as to accept the party that the National Election Board announces a winner.
Moreover, a guideline that suggests the role of members in the upcoming election was presented by Ayalew Ahmed, Vice President of the Confederation.
As stated by the presenter, a political party that makes job creation its agenda to tackle youth unemployment, seizes work and safety insurance plan, supports minimal wage floor, holds strong economic plan to transform the economy and has national and foreign program that sustains peace, promotes human rights of citizens, are amongst the principles that was formulated by the Confederation to be considered by members during the election.
Kassahun Follo, President of Confederation of Ethiopian Labor Unions said that the major objective of preparing the principles/guidelines is to assist members of the Confederation how to play role in the upcoming election in order to make the election egalitarian and peaceful through sensitizing its members to exercise their rights during and post-election.
Unlike the previous times, preparing free discussion forum for political parties to reflect their manifestos for members is the other priority area that would be done. It is expected to play a significant role in helping employees make the right decision during the election, as to the President.
Likewise, the national and regional awareness raising programs would be prepared in its nine sectoral labor unions industry federations, said Ayalew.
The President also revealed Confederation’s plan to further work on issues that are related with peace.
The Ethiopian Herald October 16, 2019
BY BETELHEM BEDLU
