Strengthening social dialogue in West Africa and beyond

In 2024, PUM continued its impactful work in various countries across the globe, by advancing social dialogue – an approach rooted in the Dutch ‘polder model.’ Social dialogue fosters structured collaboration between employers, employees, and governments to achieve sustainable solutions for labour and economic issues. Over the years, PUM has increasingly partnered with Employers and Business Support Organisations (EBSOs) in this endeavor, focusing on building trust, refining strategies, and creating structures that support long-term progress. 

PUM aimed to engage in social dialogue projects in at least 8 countries by the end of 2024. The initiatives launched in Malawi, Peru, South Africa, Suriname, 6 West African countries, The Philippines, and Morocco have significantly raised awareness and generated concrete requests for support, paving the way for long-term collaborations. As a result, PUM experts have remained active in Malawi, Togo and Suriname, while programmes in Indonesia, Senegal, Mali, Benin, and Ivory Coast continue to gain momentum heading into 2025. This growth has driven the creation of new training materials, enhanced knowledge sharing, and innovations like a pilot project in Morocco designed to swiftly address the needs of associations. These partnerships have also opened new avenues for PUM to reach broader networks, including large groups of potential clients within member associations.

It was against this backdrop that, at the start of 2024, the idea emerged to firmly (re)establish PUM’s presence and promote social dialogue in West Africa. This resulted in the organisation of a cross-cutting workshop in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, in July 2024, setting the stage for further impactful initiatives in the region. 

Laying the  groundwork
The seeds for this convention were sown in 2017 at a pivotal congress in Dakar, Senegal, initiated by Mrs. Innocence Ntap Ndiaye, Chair of Senegal’s High Council for Social Dialogue. The event inspired regional efforts to strengthen social dialogue, with particular emphasis on improving business climates for employers and ensuring safe, fair jobs for workers. 

West African employers’ organisations, organised under the FOPAO (Fédération des Organisations Patronales de l’Afrique de l’Ouest), emerged as key players. With shared goals of enhancing service offerings, increasing member engagement, and fostering mutual understanding between employers and employees. After this congress, DECP, and after the merger; PUM, initiated collaborations with organisations across several countries, including Senegal, Mali, Benin, Togo, Burkina Faso, and Ivory Coast. 

Regional workshop in Abidjan
In July 2024, PUM and CNV Internationaal organised a regional workshop in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, to bolster social dialogue at the sectoral level. The three-day event was held at the CGECI headquarters. CGECI serves as the main employers’ organisation in the country with initiatives aiming at economic growth and strengthening private-sector engagement. In the context of the PUM workshop, it provided an ideal venue for fostering collaboration and advancing social dialogue initiatives in the region.

The event brought together 25 participants from six West African countries, along with representatives from PUM, CNV Internationaal, the Dutch embassy, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The workshop’s objective was clear: to equip participants with the tools to develop sector-specific social dialogue plans in their respective countries. With the guidance of Dutch experts and collaboration between employers and employees, tangible roadmaps were designed to address pressing challenges across various sectors. 

Achievements and insights
The workshop yielded significant results, starting with the formulation of concrete sectoral plans by countries such as Senegal, Ivory Coast, Mali, and Benin, each targeting specific industries. Participants from Burkina Faso, despite the challenges in their country, gained valuable insights to take back home, while Togo built on the experience by organising two additional workshops centered on sectoral boards. Furthermore, the event highlighted the crucial role of collaboration between employers, unions, and international organisations like CNV Internationaal, underscoring the power of partnerships in driving sustainable progress. Building on this success, preparations are underway for a follow-up workshop in March 2025 in Cotonou, Benin. 

This initiative aims to refine the plans developed in Abidjan and expand sectoral interventions across participating countries. CNV Internationaal has also conducted explorations to identify high-impact sectors in Senegal, Mali and South Africa, ensuring targeted and effective engagement. 

PUM’s large-scale interventions in West Africa demonstrate dedication to promoting sustainable economic growth through social dialogue. By strengthening local organisations and fostering connections, PUM and its partners are establishing a model for impactful collaboration in these regions striving for progress.