A new trade union, the Syndicat national des travailleurs unis du Port autonome de Cotonou (Syntu-Pac), has officially been established at the Cotonou Port in Benin. The union's inaugural congress took place on September 26, 2026, at the Bourse du Travail in Cotonou. The new organization aims to promote internal democracy, transparency, and the defense of professional interests. Its creation marks a significant development in the port's labor landscape.
The Syntu-Pac's president, Paul Gouroubera, emphasized that the union's formation is not merely about creating a new organization, but about laying the groundwork for a functional and democratic trade union. The union's statutes and internal regulations are designed to ensure member participation, regular elections, and transparent management. Gouroubera highlighted the importance of these foundational documents in guaranteeing the union's accountability and effectiveness.
The Syntu-Pac's emergence is driven by a desire to revitalize trade union action at the Cotonou Port. The union seeks to promote greater internal democracy and effectively defend the material and moral interests of its members. Following its inaugural congress, the union plans to engage with its members to identify their concerns and establish a diagnosis of their needs and expectations. This process will inform the union's strategies and priorities.
The Cotonou Port is undergoing significant transformations, driven by technological, infrastructural, and professional changes. In this context, the Syntu-Pac aims to anticipate the evolution of jobs and reflect on employment sustainability, decent work, and the material and moral development of workers. The union also intends to strengthen its relationships with other trade unions and central organizations to consolidate its defense of workers' rights.
The Syntu-Pac's establishment has been welcomed by the Union nationale des syndicats des travailleurs du Bénin (Unstb). Appolinaire Affewe, the Unstb's secretary-general, praised the new union's creation and emphasized the importance of trade union freedom, as enshrined in the International Labour Organization's Convention 87. Affewe offered the Unstb's support to the Syntu-Pac and encouraged its leaders to prioritize democratic trade unionism, independence, transparency, and effectiveness.
The Syntu-Pac's leaders are committed to making democratic trade unionism, independence, transparency, and effectiveness the pillars of their action. Beyond defending workers' interests, the union aims to position itself as a trusted interlocutor for the port's stakeholders. By engaging with its members and other trade unions, the Syntu-Pac seeks to contribute to the development of a more equitable and sustainable work environment at the Cotonou Port.
As the Syntu-Pac begins its activities, it faces the challenge of navigating the complexities of the Cotonou Port's labor landscape. With its commitment to internal democracy, transparency, and worker interests, the union is poised to play a significant role in shaping the port's future. The Syntu-Pac's success will depend on its ability to engage with its members, build alliances with other trade unions, and effectively address the needs and expectations of workers in a rapidly changing environment.
Key points
- The Syntu-Pac's establishment marks a significant development in the labor landscape at Benin's Cotonou Port.
- The union aims to prioritize internal democracy, transparency, and the defense of professional interests.
- The Syntu-Pac seeks to contribute to the development of a more equitable and sustainable work environment at the Cotonou Port.
