July 20 – The international players union FIFpro says unions in Africa have started to achieve “clear improvements” in the welfare of thousands of players.
The 13 unions associated with FIFPro throughout Africa have in some countries helped to introduce standard contracts, collective agreements and tribunals to resolve pay disputes with clubs.
Last year’s Global Employment Report conducted by FIFpro found that 55% of players in Africa are paid late or not at all – a higher percentage than anywhere else in the world.
Significant progress since then is down to new dialogue with leagues, federations and the Confederation of African Football, according to FIFPro’s Africa general secretary Stephane Burchkalter
The unions met in Accra, Ghana recently at the FIFPro Africa congress.
“We are starting to see a snowball effect,” Burchkalter told delegates. “Apart from in two or three countries, there is cause for optimism.”
Burchkalter noted there is a “wind of change” in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following the election of the ruling body’s new president Ahmad Ahmad.
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