Without the Eritrean workers’ active participation in different parts of the world in the struggle for independence, 1991 could not have been the year when a new born country emerged to be the 182 member of the United Nations. It could have taken years may be decades. It is for this reason that the National Union of Eritrean Workers was established in 1979 in the liberated areas of Eritrea in a place called Arag. And this week the union celebrated its 30th anniversary in a colorful manner where H.E. President Isaias Afwerki, ministers, PFDJ officials, diplomat corps, representatives of different workers union from different parts of the world and members of the Union in the 70`s, 80`s and after independence from all over the world were present. In addition, nationals who were active in the workers’ demonstrations and oppositions against the colonial powers in the 50`s and 60`s also took part in the celebration.

Mr. Tsegay Kahsay, 80, is one of the Eritrean who were organizing and leading the labor movement activities in the 1950`s and 60`s. He participated in the anniversary and said, “I am extremely happy by the 30th anniversary celebration of the NCEW. I and my colleagues were participating and organizing workers demonstrations and the establishment of the National Union of Eritrean Workers in 1979 is the continuation of the activities and oppositions we have been conducting. I am happy to see a well respected and supported by the government workers association.”

Another participant from Saudi Arabia is Ms. Elsa Kidane. She went to the diasporas in the 1970’s and has been actively participating in the workers union since she went abroad. “It is a remarkable day for me to participate in such important occasion. I came for this celebration from Saudi Arabia and what I can only tell you is that I am very happy and I wish all the best for the Association for the future and the youths have to play their role to achieve the needed goal,” she noted.

The ceremony, which was started by a cultural performance at Asmara Palace on 21st November, lasted about a week long and finished on 25th November 2009. In his opening remarks H.E. President Isaias Afwerki said, “The role played by Eritrean workers under various categories and in different forums, both before and in the course of the 30-year armed struggle for independence, along with the rest of the Eritrean people, occupies one of the significant chapters in the history traversed for a Free and Sovereign Eritrea.”

Mr. Tekeste Baire, Secretary General of NCEW, on his part said that National Union of Eritrean Workers was established in a critical condition when all super powers were trying to suppress the Eritrean struggle. “The dynamic youth equipped with modern technology, the mutual and friendly relationship between NCEW and international workers’ unions, the stable political condition in the country, the Eritrean peoples’ harmony and availability of natural resources are some of the things that making NCEW enter a new stage to creat a sustainable ground for the future development,” he explained.

In the first day, after the President’s opening remark, solidarity messages from nine international workers’ unions were read.

In the afternoon session, a photo exhibition was opened officially by Mr. Weldemichael Abraha, Minister of Transport and Communication. The exhibition portrayed the challenges the workers faced during colonization and their role in the post independence period.

Cultural groups from inside the country as well as North America, Europe, Middle East and Sudan presented cultural shows in the evening of 21st, and 22nd evening in the Asmara Municipality Hall and in 23rd November on Bahti Meskerem Square to the participants and the public.

On the 2nd day of the symposium, seven research papers were presented. Economic Development and Challenges: the Eritrean Experience, Political Challenges and Prospects in the Region by Yemane Ghebreab, Head of Political Affairs at the PFDJ; Eritrean Oral Poetry and Handicrafts by Selomon Tsehaye; Labor Law to Ensure Workers’ Rights from Eritrean Perspective by Mr. Woldeyesus Elsia, Director General, Labor Department at the Ministry of Labor and Human Welfare; Eritrean Experience of Workers’ Movement in the Post Independence Period by Mr. Tsegai Mogos, Dupty General Secretary and Head of International Relations NCEW; Global Jobs Pact, The Way Foreword by Mr. Fransis Atowoli, President of COTU Kenya; HIV/AIDS and Gender Mainstreaming by Dr. Sophia Kisting, Director of ILO OAIDS and Global Economic Crisis and its Challenges to Unions by Mr. Rawane Mbaye, Mr. Insa Ben Said and Mr. Mohammed Trabelsi.

In the paper he presented Mr. Yemane Gebreab, Head of Political Affairs at PFDJ, indicated that the present political and socio-economic experience in Eritrea is a continuation of similar experience accumulated during the armed struggle.

Mr. Yemane further gave extensive briefings as regards the Eritrean government's efforts towards the achievement of peace and stability in the region.

On 23rd November President Isaias Afwerki met with over 100 foreign participants of the international symposium. The President gave briefings on the objective political and socio-economic situation in Eritrea and the region, as well as other significant issues.

President Isaias further indicated that at a time when the global scenario continues to change, it is imperative to nurture collective thinking and that the exchange of views and experience on the part of trade unions in the region and beyond to this end is equally significant. President Isaias also gave extensive briefings on the prevailing crisis in the region and ways of resolving it. The foreign participants of the symposium on their part expressed appreciation to the President’s briefings and the clear replies he gave to questions they forwarded.

The participants then visited two factories: ZA.ER.Plc Textile Garment Factory and Asmara Brewery on 23rd of November. On that day on the evening hours, there was a cultural performance in the Bahti Meskerem Square for the participants and the public.

24th November was the day the participants went to the beautiful port city, Masawa and Desie Island. There they visited different development activities which are being carried out by the government and the Warsay-Yikealo Development Campaign.

The closing ceremony was on 25th November at the Asmara Palace Hotel where Ministers, Military Commanders, diplomats, representatives of labor union from different countries and invited guests.

On the closing ceremony, Mr. Tekeste Baire, Secretary General of NCEW, said, “The event provided an excellent platform to once again reflect on the laudable input of Eritrean nationals in the struggle for independence.

He also said, “The NCEW would like to take this opportunity to affirm its commitment to the objective which has been summarized by President Isaias Afwerki during his speech in the opening ceremony, ‘the primary mission of the trade union should be to promote a highly developed, well trained and productive work force committed to safeguarding and advancing worker rights and social justice.’ NCEW will coordinate its work with all national organizations, the Front, and its international partners to realize this mission.”

Foreign Minister Osman Saleh and the Minister of Transportation and Communications, Mr. Woldemichael Abraha gave souvenirs to institutions and individuals who made due contribution towards the successful conclusion of the symposium.