2015

Training program for young union women union of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia: FORMAGHREB 2010-2012

The evaluated program

The Formaghreb program had the intention of beginning a formative process in all the regions in a medium-term (5 years); directed to the trade union young people of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, so that they are capable in the future of heading these organizations. The formation focused towards this group was addressed to affect in the renewal of the trade union structures and towards a better collision of the problems that suffer the young workers of the Mediterranean.

With this purpose, the taking part trade unions-CDT, UGTT, UGTA AND CAT'S UGT - selected in each country two promotions of trade union representatives, half men and half women younger than 35 years of 12 sectors: education, health, energy, feeding, textile, tourism in the first promotion, and on the other hand, in the second promotion of the sectors of telecommunications, metal, carriers, construction and post office. When having finished the program (2011), an answer will have been given to the formative needs for a minimum of 168 trade union young people (144 of Magrib, 12 of CAT and 12 of Palestine), half of which ones will be women.

The project supposes the second phase of the program Formaghreb (2010/2012), had as the general target the contribution to the regional integration and the strengthening of the democratization of the trade union organizations most representative of the Magrib by promoting a plan of formation that favours the effective participation of the women and the trade union young people, in the instances of decision of the trade unions.

With this target the project is based on two results:

• 1. The 99 trade union Formaghreb young people know deeply its collective agreement and dominate the basic skills of the collective bargaining.
• 2. The 49 women taking part on the program have taken conscience of the need to organize themselves to improve the defence of their rights and have created the network “trade union Women of the Mediterranean”.

The meeting reinforced the space in which the trade union women who have formed in the frame of the Formaghreb gather together to talk. The participants commented along the seminar to be relived as have met other women who, in the distance, are in the same struggle, to face the same difficulties. The seminar constituted one in which difficulties and challenges were shared. The meetings, developed in a periodic way, facilitated the exchange of knowledge and the coordination between the different trade unions involved in the project.

The evaluation made by the participants and the formers of the activities and the formation process is defined by one word: unbeatable. All of them recognized the need to form young trade union pictures to face the new challenges that appear constantly. Nevertheless, the there is a sensation that the work focused on the genre and on women is not receiving the importance that it deserves and seems that it is the weakest part of the project. And although, the programmed meetings were carried out, its contents were not analysed in a sufficient way.