HAK-İŞ Attends the Senegal National Confederation of Workers (CNTS) Confederal Congress in Senegal

The 12th Confederal Congress of the Senegal National Confederation of Workers (CNTS), the largest labor confederation in Senegal, was held in the capital Dakar on November 9-10, 2025. HAK-İŞ was represented at the congress by Fatma Zengin, Deputy Secretary General and Head of the Women’s Committee.

Congress theme: decent work and labour migration

The CNTS 12th Confederal Congress focused on the theme of "Decent Work and Labour Migration." The discussions centered on the protection of workers' rights, securing migrant labor through union organizing, and establishing priorities for the future of the trade union movement.

The congress saw the participation of approximately 40 general secretaries from trade union confederations across Africa, Asia, and Europe, alongside the HAK-İŞ representative, Fatma Zengin. Government officials, political party representatives, and delegates from the Women’s and Youth Committees of the CNTS-affiliated unions were also in attendance.

HAK-İS's role in the international trade union movement

In her address, HAK-İŞ Deputy Secretary General Fatma Zengin expressed her satisfaction at attending the CNTS 12th Congress. Zengin highlighted HAK-İŞ's position within the international trade union movement, noting that with 21 affiliated unions and over 850,000 members, HAK-İŞ is one of Turkey’s largest labor confederations. She also stated that HAK-İŞ is an active participant in international platforms as a member of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).

Fundamental labour rights and global issues

Zengin emphasized that the concept of "Decent Work" constitutes the foundation of every individual's right to live with dignity, positioning HAK-İŞ as a defender of not only labor and laborers but also the common values of humanity.

Touching upon HAK-İŞ’s areas of focus, Zengin drew attention to the efforts to protect the rights of migrant workers, combat unregistered employment, and strengthen union organizing, particularly in the domestic workers sector. She further praised the CNTS’s work regarding women’s labor and stressed the significance of increasing women’s representation for the future of the trade union movement.

International solidarity and messages of gratitude

In the international solidarity segment of her speech, Fatma Zengin drew attention to the humanitarian crisis experienced by the Palestinian people, noting that HAK-İŞ continues its humanitarian aid efforts for civilian war victims.

Zengin also expressed her condolences for the citizens who lost their lives in the February 6, 2023, earthquakes, thanking CNTS for the solidarity shown during that period. Concluding her remarks, she conveyed her belief that the decisions made at the congress would be guiding not only for CNTS but for all workers in Africa and globally. She congratulated CNTS Secretary General Mody Guiro on his re-election and wished the new administration success.