The Southern Africa Trade Union Workshop on LGBTI Worker Rights and ILO Convention 190 (C190), held in Cape Town ahead of the 2024 ILGA World Conference, marked a pivotal step toward securing commitment to LGBTI-inclusive unions in the region. Organized by the Council of Global Unions (CGU) LGBTI Coordinating Committee, the workshop convened trade unionists from across Southern Africa to address the challenges faced by LGBTI workers and to strategize on creating more inclusive labour movements.

The workshop emphasized the importance of integrating LGBTI rights into the core agenda of trade unions. Participants engaged in discussions on the application of ILO Convention 190, which addresses violence and harassment in the world of work, and its relevance to LGBTI workers. The sessions highlighted the need for unions to advocate for the adoption and implementation of C190, ensuring that protections against workplace discrimination and harassment are extended to LGBTI individuals.

Keynote speakers, including Zingiswa Losi, President of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), and Mugwena Maluleke, General Secretary of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU), underscored the role of unions in championing LGBTI rights. They called for the mainstreaming of LGBTI issues in collective bargaining and union policies, emphasizing that unions must be at the forefront of promoting equality and inclusivity in the workplace.

The workshop also provided a platform for participants to share personal experiences and challenges faced by LGBTI workers in Southern Africa. These narratives highlighted the pervasive discrimination and legal obstacles encountered by LGBTI individuals, reinforcing the urgency for unions to take proactive measures in supporting their LGBTI members.

The Trade Union Workshop on LGBTI Worker Rights and C190 in Southern Africa was not only a stand-alone regional initiative but also deeply connected to the broader objectives and outcomes of the ILGA World Conference. Feedback from participants across both the Global North and South reinforced the significance of such targeted pre-conference workshops, highlighting three recurring themes: the value of knowledge, the strength of networks, and the central role of trade unions in the fight for justice and equality.

Participants expressed appreciation for the practical knowledge shared—especially around ILO Convention 190 (C190). Many reported a better understanding of the mechanisms it provides to address violence and harassment in the world of work, especially when applied to the experiences of LGBTQIA+ workers. The workshop enabled union members to critically reflect on how subtle forms of violence, often overlooked, can escalate if not addressed—and how this directly undermines worker well-being and productivity.

Crucially, the training catalysed a sense of responsibility and readiness to act. Participants stated their intent to:

• Integrate minority issues into collective bargaining;

• Establish safe spaces within unions for LGBTQIA+ members;

• Advocate for the ratification and implementation of C190;

• Engage union leadership to take proactive, inclusive stances;

• Partner with NGOs to strengthen outreach and community advocacy.

This resonance between the regional workshop and the broader ILGA conference sessions demonstrates that the activity effectively supported the expected result. It facilitated a clear shift in both attitudes and strategic commitments among Southern African trade unionists toward inclusive unionism. As participants emphasised, knowledge alone is not enough—unions must “walk the talk” by embedding LGBTQIA+ concerns into leadership practices, workplace negotiations, and organizational culture.

By linking global standards like C190 with local realities in Southern Africa, the workshop succeeded in securing early-stage commitments from union actors to push for inclusive frameworks and protections. It also encouraged continued networking and learning across countries, laying a foundation for ongoing solidarity, advocacy, and institutional change. The Southern Africa Trade Union Workshop served as a catalyst for fostering LGBTI-inclusive unions in the region. By focusing on the implementation of ILO Convention 190 and encouraging unions to integrate LGBTI rights into their core functions, the workshop laid the groundwork for a more equitable and inclusive labour movement in Southern Africa.