In all regions of the world, ‘free trade zones’ are an invention of capitalists to further exploit workers and perpetuate precariousness and poverty.

In Togo, our comrades from the National Union of Industrial Workers of Togo (SYNATSITO), a member of the International Trade Union Network of Solidarity and Struggles, denounce one of the waves of redundancies on economic grounds, dismissals of staff representatives or trade unionists in defiance of the regulations in force. The authorities are aware of this, but do nothing. These employers are above the law.

At SNI Gbatopé, a Lebanese company that shows no respect and mistreats its workers, the latter gathered in front of the company to demand that their rights be respected. The employer dismissed them. The regional director, the prefect and the court all rejected the employer's decision... but the employer stood by its decision. The Directorate-General for Labour asked them to... ‘continue the dialogue’!

Faced with this combative employer, five trade unions operating in the free zone have joined forces to fight together. An awareness-raising, unionisation and mobilisation campaign is being conducted, company by company, with the aim of building up their bargaining power!