Confederation of Madagascar Trade Unions explained

FISEMA
Location Country:Madagascar
Affiliation:ITUC, OATUU
Members:13,615
Full Name:Confederation of Madagascar Trade Unions
Native Name:Firaisan'ny Sendikan’ny Mpiasa Eto Madagasikara
Founded:1956 (1938)
Gen Sec:Jose Randrianasolo
Website:fisema.mg

The Confederation of Madagascar Trade Unions (Malagasy: Firaisan'ny Sendikan'ny Mpiasa Eto Madagasikara, French: Confédération générale des syndicats de travailleurs de Madagascar), is a Malagasy trade union confederation founded in 1956.

Origins

In 1936, while the Popular Front government granted trade union freedom in the French colonial territories, local officials often blocked attempts by activists to organise.[1] Activists associated with the French CGT attempted to create a section in Madagascar, but were met with opposition and brought up on criminal charges in 1937. These charges were dropped in 1938 and a section affiliated with the CGT was formed which brought together four unions representing peasants, agriculture, printers and health workers.[2] During the union's congress in August 1956, the section became an independent entity and took its present name.[3] FISEMA was a founding member of the Conference of Madagascar Workers (CTM) in 1997.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Cohen . William B. . The Colonial Policy of the Popular Front . French Historical Studies . 1972 . 7 . 3 . 377 . 10.2307/286220.
  2. Web site: Tolotra . Andrianalizah . Mouvement syndical malgache: il fut un temps … . www.studiosifaka.org . fr-fr . 1 May 2023 . Malagasy labour movement: there was a time .
  3. Web site: Qui sommes-nous? . FIRAISAN'NY SENDIKAN'NY MPIASA ETO MADAGASIKARA . 8 November 2023 . fr-FR. Who are we?.
  4. Web site: Fleischmann . Antonia . SYNDICATS ET PARTICIPATION DES TRAVAILLEURS . FES Madagascar . 8 November 2023 . 5 . fr.