The Roles of Labour Union in Preventing Environmental Pollution; A Case Study of Labour Unions of Modjo and East Africa Tannaries in Modjo Town
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Date
2020-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the roles of labour union in preventing
environmental pollution, a case study of Labour unions of Modjo and East Africa tanneries
in Modjo Town, and the working relationship with stakeholders that deal with the
environment. Mixed methods research was applied by using qualitative and quantitative
approaches to the stated objective. The survey questionnaire and interview checklists
prepared as a research tool to collect data from 110 the respondents and key informants
interview. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, tables,
percentages, and mean scale, to show the extent to which the respondents agreed or disagreed
with the statements in the questionnaire, using a 5-points Likert scale. The result shows, that
the involvement of labor unions in environmental pollution prevention is not adequately
utilized, poor cooperation with stakeholders and there are non-compliance of the tanneries
studied with some of the environmental regulations and standards that resulted in the
downstream user communities of Modjo River, affected by the polluted wastewater
discharged. Following community grievances, the landfill in-use by the tanneries and Modjo
Municipality was prohibited and closed in 2018, but without rehabilitation. Therefore, due
attention is required to enhance labour unions’ role and participation through training and
awareness creation to enable reduce or prevent environmental pollution, attain secured jobs
for the workers in the tanneries and institutional capacity building at different government
levels and more collaboration of relevant stakeholders with the labour unions to contribute
more to sustainable development.
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Keywords
Labour union, Leather processing, Modjo & East Africa Tanneries, Pollution prevention and stakeholders.