While started to work in 1973, its official foundation was in 1975. Initially an important part of POLISARIO, as much of the Sahrawis who joined the movement in the first years were Fos Bucraa workers, its importance has diminished as a result of the mass exodus of Sahrawis, mostly in the 1975-76 period, at the beginning of the Western Sahara War. There is little need for a labor union in the refugee camps of Tindouf, Algeria, where unemployment is near total, and what work exists is organized by the camp administration. The movement therefore appears largely dormant in its labor union role until an independent Western Sahara would provide it with a normally functioning labor market again. It remains a part of the POLISARIO structure, though, and has internal representation at several levels. The general secretary is also member of the Polisario Front National Committee. The organization is directed by the Executive Bureau, which is composed of 9 members elected in the congresses. It campaigns internationally to attract attention to the Sahrawi cause, and enjoys good relations with many European and African trade unions. It also has members in the Moroccan controlled parts of Western Sahara, although it is banned by the Moroccan authorities. The organization is divided in four branches, as for example the UPES, Union de Periodistas y Escritores Saharauis or the UJS, Union de Juristas Saharauis. UGTSARIO is member of the World Federation of Trade Unions and the Organization of African Trade Union Unity. It also has observer status in the International Trade Union Confederation. Its present general secretary is Mohamed Cheikh Lehbib.
Since the 3rd Congress and in parallel to the UGTSARIO congress, there is an "International Trade Union Conference in Solidarity with the Western Saharan Workers". The last one issued a Declaration in solidarity with the Sahrawi people who have been disappeared, tortured or detained by the Moroccan government, against the exploitation of the natural resources by multinational companies, rejecting the preferential status given to Morocco by the EU and supporting the Sahrawi refugees. The declaration was signed by several trade unions as CCOO, UGT, USO, CIG, ELA, UGTA, CGIL, CGTP, COSATU, NLC, COC, FSM, AWU, ACTU.
