TUTT 6: Business and Human Rights in Africa – National Action Plans and Trade Union Action

In light of the 15^th United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights (23-25 November 2026) this online session will look at the business and human rights debate as it is central to the protection of workers in domestic enterprises and cross-border supply chains. 

The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights provide a framework built around the State duty to protect human rights, the corporate responsibility to respect human rights, and access to effective remedy. For trade unions, these responsibilities must translate into freedom of association, collective bargaining, safe and healthy work, non-discrimination and effective responses to abuse.

This session will examine how National Action Plans (NAPs) on Business and Human Rights can turn these principles into practical action in African countries. Victor Brobbey, a co-author of the recent FES study on NAPs , will be invited to present its findings and implications for workers and their organisations. The discussion will focus on how unions can influence the development, implementation and monitoring of NAPs, connect national commitments to workplace realities, and secure meaningful participation in decisions affecting workers, as well as identify priorities that African trade unions can bring to the wider debate.

The Trade Union Trade Talks (TUTT) is a joint initiative of FES Geneva and the Africa Labour Research and Education Institute (ALREI) of ITUC-Africa. This series provides a space for trade unions, policymakers, researchers, international organisations and other stakeholders to exchange knowledge and discuss trade and economic policies affecting African workers, particularly in the context of industrialisation, regional value chains and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Simultaneous interpretation will be available in English and French.

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Event Details:

Online, November 19, 15h00 (GMT) / 16h00 (4pm, CET, Geneva local time).

Moderator: 

• Dr. Hod Anyigba, Executive Director, ALREI & Chief Economist, ITUC-Africa 

Speaker:

• Victor Kofi Brobbey, Deputy Chairman of Ghana’s National Commission on Civic Education

Related Documents:

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Profile of Speaker