05.05.2008 - Source: Freedom House

Trade unions have been effectively destroyed; union leaders are being harassed and forced from their jobs ("The Worst of the Worst: The World's Most Repressive Societies 2008") [ID 23576]

"Sudanese trade unions were very active politically until the al-Bashir regime seized power in the 1989 coup.

Since then, they have been effectively destroyed.

Some union leaders were forced from their jobs and harassed by authorities.

The Sudan Workers Trade Unions Federation, the union umbrella organization, has been co-opted by the government and is not a credible, independent advocate of workers' interests."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Only the government-controlled Sudan Workers Trade Union Federation (SWTUF) could function legally in 2007; all other unions were banned ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23321]

"Although the law provides for the right of association for economic and trade union purposes, the government denied this right in practice.

The Trade Union Act established a trade union monopoly in the government.

Only the government-controlled Sudan Workers Trade Union Federation (SWTUF), which consists of 25 state unions and 22 industry unions, can function legally; all other unions were banned.

The International Labor Organization (ILO) has frequently noted that the trade union monopoly contravened the principles of freedom of association.

The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions continued to recognize the "legitimate" Sudan Workers Trade Union Federation--the national trade union center that functioned prior to the ban--which operated in exile.

The law does not prohibit antiunion discrimination by employers."

Document(s): Open document