Unions have a crucial role to play in ending poverty in Africa, the TUC has said.

With ministers seeking to make major progress on dealing with the continent's problems this year, unions are emphasising that they have a role to play.

Publishing its submission to the Commission for Africa, established by Tony Blair, the TUC said that a social partnership approach was needed.

It said that without trade unions "civil society will never function properly, and the role of the African peoples will remain that of the passive observer."

There was criticism of the prime minister's commission for failing to pay sufficient attention to the role of workers.

According to the TUC, across the continent there are some 12.3 million union members in 56 national trade unions.

The bodies have played an important role in Africa resisting dictatorships and promoting transition.

"Africa can't solve all of its problems on its own, and the government is right to press rich nations to act," said TUC general secretary Brendan Barber.

"But there is a limit to what the rich nations can do.

"Without strong democracies and strong economies, Africa will not reap the benefits of fairer trade, more aid and less debt.

"And strong democracies and economies need trade unions."

Among the other suggestions put forward in the submission is a call for the promotion of International Labour Organisation standards - guaranteeing no forced or child labour, no discrimination, and the freedom to join a union and bargain collectively.