The Global Labour University (GLU) in South Africa, in collaboration with the Agriculture Agro-Processing Workers Union of Liberia (AAIWUL), has concluded a two-day intensive research training for trade union representatives in Liberia.
This training enables labor actors, particularly those in the trade union sector, to initiate research in the labor field, aimed at generating data that accurately reflects the conditions of workers in Liberia.
Organized by AAIWUL and facilitated by Warren McGregor, the Program Coordinator of the Global Labour University, the training was part of GLU’s short course program “ENGAGE,” which runs for two months every year in South Africa.
Mr. McGregor stated, “The goal of the workshop is to create a trade union research team. This team will be conducting a power mapping research project with unorganized waste collectors in Liberia over the coming months.” He emphasized that one of the main objectives is to use the collected data to create trade union organizing plans, and importantly, to assist Joseph Jallah, a liaison in the project, in sharing knowledge gained from GLU with his colleagues.
“This power mapping methodology consists of two components: mapping and utilizing power resources to identify sources of workers’ power that can be mobilized to advocate for workers during the research process,” Mr. McGregor explained.
“I was very excited to be in Liberia to conduct this training and to collaborate with Joseph Jallah and AAIWUL to enhance the labor sector in Liberia through data collection and utilization,” he added.
He observed, “There is a strong desire for information and education, and I feel that workers and labor activists recognize their immense potential. However, this realization requires hard work.” He stressed the importance of democratizing trade union organizations to ensure transparency, integrity, and collective participation among all union members.
Joseph Jallah, an alumnus of GLU and the focal point for GLU in Liberia, expressed gratitude for GLU’s intervention in Liberia’s trade union sector, particularly in the area of data research. He assured that following the research process, AAIWUL will begin organizing waste pickers. He mentioned that the training beneficiaries will be divided into teams to conduct research and analyze the data generated.
As a token of appreciation, Mr. McGregor was honored with a Liberian name, “Tarnue,” which means “town owner” in the Loma language.s Town owner.
