BUJUMBURA, October 2nd (ABP) – The assistant of the Ministry of Civil Service, Labor and Employment, Didace Ndikuryayo, proceeded on Friday, September 29 in Bujumbura, to the solemn opening of the work of the 4th ordinary congress of the National Federation of Transport, Social and Informal Workers (FNTT-SI), organized under the theme “For strong and united unionism in the formal and informal economy”.
On behalf of the Minister in charge of labor, Mr. Ndikuryayo first of all congratulated the FNTT-SI for having taken that laudable initiative to integrate workers in the informal economy into its priorities aimed at promoting and defending the rights of that category of the people, which represents more than 80% of the rest of the Burundian population.
He pointed out that the government of Burundi is very concerned about the category of informal workers because, he explained, the development of the country must not leave anyone behind the objectives it has set in its vision: emerging Burundi in 2040 and developed in 2060.
Mr. Ndikuryayo also stressed that this category of workers contributes to economic growth; hence they deserve to be provided with a legal and regulatory framework, for the country to be in line with the recommendation 204 of the International Labor Organization (ILO), which asks countries to initiate a formalization process for those workers.
“We must also commit to integrating these informal workers into actions to promote universal health coverage and social protection,” he said, before promising that the government of Burundi, through the ministry in charge of labor, took ownership of all the previous interventions from stakeholders, without forgetting the recommendations issued at the end of the 4th ordinary congress of the FNTT-SI, with a view to seeing all compatriots and residents lead a decent life.
For his part, the deputy chairperson of the National Social Dialogue Committee (CNDS) expressed his gratitude to the FNTT-SI for having associated that body with the activities of the 4th ordinary congress of that federation, an eloquent sign testifying to the importance that is given to social dialogue.
He recalled that the CNDS has the role of promoting the culture of social dialogue in all areas, including the transport, social and informal sectors. “The CNDS dreams of a Burundi where lasting social peace reigns thanks to a proactive tripartite partnership for increased productivity and decent work,” he revealed.
This vision can only be achieved thanks to strong worker organizations which advocate for a peaceful working world, marked by good professional relations and a defense of workers’ rights highlighting social dialogue, he continued to say.
The chairman of the FNTT-SI, Mr. Célestin Nsavyimana, for his part, recalled that in accordance with the bylaw of that federation, it is stipulated that the latter organizes an ordinary congress every five years, to analyze in detail, together with the delegates from all the provinces of the country, the assessment of the achievements and the financial assessment, the challenges encountered and the future prospects.
Given that the transport sector is considered a major polluter, the FNTT-SI chair pointed out that they are constantly raising awareness among all affiliates of that federation about environmental protection by carrying out actions aimed at mitigating global warming.
Two presentations enhanced the work of the 4th ordinary congress of the FNTT-SI. These are the presentation on decent work made by Mr. Bahenda, and the presentation on the theme “policies to be implemented in relation to the environment and climate change”, where expert Renilde Ndayishimiye pointed out that the vision of the government of Burundi is to see a State that promotes development that is resilient to the harmful effects of climate change.
On the sidelines of the work of the 4th ordinary congress of the FNTT-SI, the delegates proceeded to the election of new governing bodies, namely the chairperson, the deputy chairperson and the general advisor. Thus, Célestin Nsavyimana was re-elected to the position of chairman of the FNTT-SI, Emmanuel Nimbona was elected to the position of deputy chairman, while Mrs. Félicité Nininahazwe was elected to the position of advisor general. The latter then formed the executive committee at the national level.
Note that the work of the 4th ordinary congress of the FNTT-SI was also attended by the representative of the mayor of the city of Bujumbura, the leader of the General Confederation of Liberal Unions of Belgium (CGSLB), the leader of the Free Union of the Belgian Civil Service (SLFP), the deputy chairman of the Employers’ Association of Burundi (AEB), the chair of the Confederation of Unions of Burundi (CSB), delegates from all the provinces of the country except the Rumonge province, and many others.