This was Ndessomin’s first visit to Cote d’Ivoire, one of the 11 countries involved in the HIV and AIDS project. The purpose of the visit was to discuss the objectives and implementation of the project.
Ndessomin stressed the importance of HIV and AIDS workplace policies and encouraged leadership involvement as a key component to the success of these initiatives that can contribute to organizing efforts. She also emphasized the need to build strong and sustainable unions that fight for workers’ rights at the workplace and are financial viable entities that can pay their dues to IndustriALL.
The meeting was attended by 15 leaders of affiliated unions SYNTEPC, SYNTRACUMPRA and SYNTTHACI. Also attending the meeting were other unions interested in joining IndustriALL. Ndessomin spoke about how the IndustriALL merger came about and practical matters of affiliation. She also spoke of unity that has been created through the merger at International level and how unity could also be achieved in Cote d’Ivoire, encouraging affiliates to set the pace for possible mergers.