Côte d'Ivoire: Improving workers’ rights and introducing complaint mechanisms

In Côte d'Ivoire, a trade union initiative at Société de Transport d’Abidjan (SOTRA) to establish effective complaint mechanisms has contributed significantly to workers' rights. Spearheaded by CISL Dignité and supported by CNV Internationaal, this project empowers employees to voice their grievances without fear of reprisal, marking a significant leap towards fair labor practices and open social dialogue. The success of this initiative has inspired companies across various sectors to adopt similar mechanisms, benefitting thousands of workers and fostering a culture of trust and transparency in the workplace.

“Our union, CISL Dignité, has always been a platform where workers can present their complaints and claims without fear,” says Hyacinthe Coulibaly, Assistant Programme Coordinator for CISL Dignité. “However, our members from various companies have often faced difficulties in exercising their right to organise and engage in collective negotiations. When we approached the employers’ organisation CGECI to raise awareness about these issues, they demanded evidence of rights violations. Unfortunately, we had no mechanisms to collect such complaints.”

“Complaint mechanisms set up by the trade union mark a significant step forward in ensuring that workers can voice their complaints without fear. 

With more companies following SOTRA’s example, we hope to see a widespread improvement in workers’ rights along with a culture of open social dialogue and fair negotiations across the country.”

 Hyacinthe Coulibaly (Assistant Programme Coordinator, CISL Dignité)

While SOTRA management had already set up employer-financed complaint registers, Drissa Diarrasouba, Leader of USASO Trade Union at SOTRA, explains that workers refused to use them due to fear of being identified and facing reprisals. This was a significant barrier to voicing their grievances. 

“We talked about this with CNV Internationaal”, says Hyacinthe, “and together we developed a comprehensive programme.” 

Here is a brief timeline of the following efforts: 

• 2021: First phase of training for both management and unions was launched.
   
• April 2022: ILO Conventions C87 and C98, (regarding freedom of association  and the right to collective bargaining) were promoted and advocated to employers organisation CGECI by CISL Dignité, supported by CNV Internationaal’s Africa team.
   
• Mid-2022: Proof of rights violations was demanded by employers organisation CGECI. We. a;s Dignité, were unable to do this due to a lack of collection mechanisms.
   
• August 2022: Strategic plan prioritising the implementation of effective complaint collection mechanisms devised with CNV Internationaal.
   
• June 2023: Awareness-raising sessions among company managers and workers.
   
• August 2023: New complaint collection mechanisms installed and activated.