“BRT’s success depends not only on sound design and engineering, but also on the long-term and inclusive business models that address the underlying problems of the informal transport political economy” writes Professor Papa Sakho from the Laboratory of Human Geography, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound economic and health impact on the lives of millions of informal transport workers. But as the recently published report by the Cheikh Anta Diop University and Global Labour Institute shows, Dakar’s informal transport workers were already vulnerable before the pandemic.

In the article published on the ITF website, Professor Sakho highlights how BRT – by formalising parts of the informal transport economy – could build a stronger future transport system and reduce social inequalities. But to be truly effective, it requires the inclusion of informal workers. Read the full article here.

On 30 January, Labour Movement Solidarity with Hong Kong is holding an online meeting and rally to protest against the arrest of 53 pro-democracy lawmakers, organisers and trade unionists under China’s National Security Law and build global solidarity with our Hong Kong comrades’ struggle.

The arrests and wider wave of repression are nothing short of an attempt to intimidate any and all opposition into silence and submission.

They are an assault on both the right to democratic representation and on grassroots advocacy and organising.

Speakers Include:

• Lee Cheuk-Yan, Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions and former LegCo member
• John McDonnell MP (Hayes and Harlington), former Shadow Chancellor
• Clive Lewis MP
• John Moloney, PCS civil service union Assistant General Secretary
• Nadia Whittome MP (Nottingham East)
• Julie Ward, former MEP for the North West

Register here.

The launch of the GLI’s new report Kampala Bus Rapid Transit Report: Understanding Kampala’s Paratransit Market Structure will take place on Tuesday 7th July 2020. Participation by Invitation Only.

This report attempts to provide a detailed assessment of the market struture of the paratransit industry in Kampala, including both minibus (“taxi”) and motorcycle taxi (“boda-boda”) services. It is intended to contribute towards an understanding of how paratransit services can be incrementally improved and professionalised to minimize some of its negative effects on Kampala’s overall transport system, and how to integrate the existing informal service into the proposed new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.

The research and subsequent report were undertaken through a contract with Agence Française de Développement (AFD) to support the Government of Uganda and the Kampala Capital City Authority in preparation of the planned introduction of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Kampala.

AFD in partnership with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Uganda have organized an online presentation of this report by its main contributors, Dave Spooner and John Mark Mwanika. After the presentation of the findings, a debate will be open to get comments and reactions on this matter.

Participation by Invitation Only.