Contributed Articles
Eritrean Workers’ Union during the Federation, Liberation Struggle and in the Present periods
By Kalekristos Zerisenay
May 12, 2008, 12:18pm

May Day is celebrated as the International Workers’ day and was chosen over 100 years ago to commemorate the struggles and gains of international labour movements. Some of the then gains of workers struggle were: 8-hour workday, Saturday as part of the weekend, improved working conditions and the institution of child labor laws.

The journey to achieve the above mentioned gains, however, had never been easy. The constant struggle, which, started in 1860’s in United States, gained impetus only in 1886. On May 1, 1886, the American Federation of Labor called a national strike that took the life of four protesters who were calling for an end to the 12, 14, and 16 hours of work day. Much worse, eight Chicago labor leaders were sentenced to death and four of them were hunged. News of these executions sparked labor protests throughout the world, and in 1889, the Socialist International declared May 1st a day of demonstrations. Ironically, despite its being the home of the beginning of workers movement, the United States does not recognize May Day as national holiday.

May Day is not celebrated only to commemorate the gains achieved 100 years ago. Throughout the last 100 years, workers used the day as a day of demonstration against racism, militarism and capitalism. Even these days workers are still demanding more rights, better payments and better working condition, security and globalization with a human face. Indeed this year’s international workers’ day is to be celebrated under the theme “RESPECT FOR ALL”.

In our country, the history of workers’ union dates back to the 1940’s. The first factory-based trade union emerged in 1948. Although poorly organized, workers’ union had a significant role in Eritrean political and armed struggle for independence. During the British Administration for example, workers of the Eritrean railway services called a 6 week strike demanding equal payment with Italians as well as to occupy most of the jobs available. Nevertheless, workers movements and strikes undertaken in the 1940’s were poorly organized. The idea of establishing an organized Eritrean workers’ union came only in 1951 to oppose discriminatory hiring practices of foreign companies on religious grounds. After a yearlong preparation, the National Union of Eritrean Workers for Independence (NUEW), which was one of the first African labor unions, was officially established before the Eritrea-Ethiopia federation on 7th December 1952.

The foundation of Eritrean Labor Union was unique. Unlike workers’ union in the United States, which faced opposition from businessmen and factory owners, the Eritrean union had full support of the employers. Eritrean businessmen made financial contributions during its establishment as well as offered building for office uses. However, Ethiopia, which had neither such organization nor the will to see workers solidarity, strongly opposed it. Indeed as part of its secret plan to weaken the organization, five weeks after its establishment shot and wounded Woldeab Woldemariam, president of the NUEW.

In spite of obstacles coming from the Ethiopian side, NUEW managed to survive during the first five years of the federal period. However, its strong opposition to the erosion of Eritrea’s political autonomy made the union a leading nationalist movement, and resulted in the withdrawal of its rights in 1957 by the Ethiopian crown. The NUEW leaders were subjected to several assassination attempts, and were finally forced to flee the country.

Two decades later, in 1979 during the liberation struggle, the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF) founded the National Confederation of Eritrean Workers (NCEW). The main objective of its foundation was to encourage Eritreans in the Diaspora to intensify their involvement in the struggle.

The NCEW continued its activity after independence of our country. At this time it has five federations: mining, chemicals and related works; food and allied; general service providers; textile, hides and shoes and transport and communication.

The NCEW is striving to safeguard the rights of Eritrean workers and improve their socio-economic condition. Parallel with this, the Confederation attempts to boost its relation with regional and international trade unions. Indeed on late march of this year, it hosted a conference on the role of Trade Unions on Regional Integration.

© Copyright 2001 - 2003 Shaebia.org