NCEW is one of the few civil society movement organisations and the only national trade union movement in the country with aim of building a strong and democratic trade union movement within the urban and rural areas of the country.

NCEW worked to enhance growing involvement of women in trade unions. Equality issues and improved working conditions for women have become part of key NCEW programmes. The union is encouraging women to play a more active role in trade union functions and leadership.

NCEW promotes tripartite approaches and harmonious industrial relations. Modern industrial relations are new to many Eritrean Managers and Union Leaders. In co-operation with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and many international trade union organisations, NCEW organized major industrial relations conferences that promote modern and harmonious industrial relations in the country.

NCEW has a training department that conducts and coordinates educational activities. Seminars, symposia, workshops and trainings are carried out to promote the principles and practices of free and democratic trade unionism in the country. These educational activities have enhanced and enriched the members’ knowledge on trade unionism, industrial relations, Eritrean Labour Law, occupational health and safety, HIV/AIDS as well as other relevant topics.

NCEW undertakes human resource development and vocational skill development activities targeting its representatives, men and women workers as well as other citizens. Providing vocational training for 400 demobilized men and women workers in four different fields was one of the activities that was successfully undertaken in collaboration with the National Commission for Demobilization and Reintegration and service providers.

After the forceful deportation of and denial of the basic rights of Eritrean workers and Ethiopians of Eritrean origin in 1998, NCEW represented the deported workers in a procedure at the International Labour Organization (ILO). A special ILO commission looked into the case and after two years the ILO presented a positive conclusion to look into the deported workers’ compensation and rights issues, according to conventions, 111 (discrimination (employment and occupation) and 158 (Termination of Employment Convention). NCEW was also instrumental in looking and finding appropriate jobs for many deported workers.

NCEW advocated successfully for the Labour Code 2001/118 in which essential and basic rights for workers were regulated and free collective bargaining and other union rights were recognised.

NCEW promoted and realised the adoption of essential ILO conventions by the government.

NCEW developed a process framework for collective bargaining agreements and provided support to members in negotiations and actively supports its affiliates in negotiations with their employers. To-date around 100 active collective agreements have become effective.

NCEW provided/s support in dispute settlements. The affiliated Federations and the base unions are encouraged to settle disputes at the source. When any labour dispute arises in any enterprise, both the management and the representatives of the employee’s associations are becoming responsible in resolving the dispute in a spirit of understanding.

NCEW championed the establishment of a Labour Court. NCEW campaigned successfully for the establishment of a Labour Board to handle individual labour disputes.

NCEW took the initiative to promote the development of co-operatives in the country with the aim to increase their participation in attaining household and national food security objective and improve the standard of living of rural and urban workers. In collaboration with relevant Ministries, NCEW succeeded in formulating and proposing a draft cooperatives law, to be adopted along with the National Commercial Code. Moreover, through services and support done through the Shemshemia farm, NCEW is actively working to promote formation of cooperatives and pre-cooperative forms in the Gash Barka Region.

NCEW designed, developed and conducted programmes for the awareness of the health risks of HIV/AIDS and the human right treats. In collaboration with its social partners, the NCEW has also drafted policy guidelines on managing HIV/AIDS at the Work Place.