Trade unions in Angola
Encyclopedia
Before 1975, while under Portuguese
rule, Trade unions in Angola existed primarily as "occupational syndicates" - operating welfare services, but banned from collective bargaining and strike action. Independent African trade union
s were illegal, however, some underground or exiled unions existed, and were involved in the struggle for Angola
n independence.
When the Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola
(MPLA) came to power in 1975 the National Union of Angolan Workers
(UNTA) became the sole national trade union centre. There is now an independent trade union centre as well, the General Centre of Independent and Free Unions of Angola
.
Trade union membership in Angola is limited both by the small formal economy, and the high unemployment rate within the sector. The Government of Angola is the largest employer within the country, and wages within the government are set yearly, with consultation from unions, but without direct negotiations.
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
rule, Trade unions in Angola existed primarily as "occupational syndicates" - operating welfare services, but banned from collective bargaining and strike action. Independent African trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
s were illegal, however, some underground or exiled unions existed, and were involved in the struggle for Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
n independence.
When the Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola
Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola
The People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola - Labour Party is a political party that has ruled Angola since the country's independence from Portugal in 1975...
(MPLA) came to power in 1975 the National Union of Angolan Workers
National Union of Angolan Workers
The National Union of Angolan Workers is a national Trade union centre of Angola.The UNTA was organized first in the Belgian Congo, in the 1950s, and moved to Angola after independence in 1975. It is led by Manuel Viage as general secretary....
(UNTA) became the sole national trade union centre. There is now an independent trade union centre as well, the General Centre of Independent and Free Unions of Angola
General Centre of Independent and Free Unions of Angola
The General Centre of Independent and Free Unions of Angola is a national trade union centre of Angola. With a membership of 50,000, it is led by Manuel Maria Difuila as Presidente.-External links:* entry in ITUC address book....
.
Trade union membership in Angola is limited both by the small formal economy, and the high unemployment rate within the sector. The Government of Angola is the largest employer within the country, and wages within the government are set yearly, with consultation from unions, but without direct negotiations.