*Urges African govts to address socio-economic challenges driving desperate migration
By Michael Oche
The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has called on the South African government to take decisive action to protect migrant workers and foreign nationals amid rising incidents of violence, intimidation and unlawful actions targeting migrants in the country.
The continental labour body also urged governments across Africa to address the socio-economic conditions driving desperate migration, saying greater investments in decent work, social protection, industrial development and accountable governance would reduce the compulsion for citizens to seek opportunities abroad.
In a statement issued from Lomé, Togo, on Monday and signed by its General Secretary, Akhator Joel Odigie, ITUC-Africa expressed deep concern over the escalation of attacks against migrants and warned that such actions threaten social cohesion, economic stability, investment and employment.
The organisation reaffirmed its longstanding opposition to Afrophobia and all forms of discrimination against African migrants, while expressing solidarity with South African trade unions and organised business groups that have also condemned the recent unlawful conduct.
“South Africa is a constitutional democracy founded on the rule of law. The responsibility for enforcing immigration, labour and criminal laws rests solely with the State and its duly mandated institutions,” the statement said.
According to ITUC-Africa, while citizens may legitimately be frustrated by unemployment, crime, inequality and pressure on public services, such grievances cannot justify vigilantism, intimidation, violence or unlawful inspections targeting individuals based on their nationality or perceived origin.
It stressed that individuals who take the law into their own hands undermine constitutional governance and should be investigated and held accountable in accordance with the law.
The organisation noted that international labour standards clearly place the responsibility for enforcing labour legislation on competent public authorities and guarantee migrant workers equal treatment, protection against discrimination and respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.
ITUC-Africa therefore called on the South African government to restore order by protecting everyone within its territory, maintaining public order and ensuring that laws are applied fairly and without discrimination.
Beyond immediate security measures, the labour body urged the government to tackle the structural socio-economic challenges fuelling public frustration, including unemployment, poverty, inequality and inadequate public services.
It also challenged governments across Africa to strengthen governance and implement policies that improve citizens’ welfare, noting that migration across the continent is largely driven by the search for decent work, security and better opportunities.
According to the organisation, sustainable solutions require greater investment in productive employment, social protection, industrialisation, quality public services and accountable governance so that migration becomes a matter of choice rather than necessity.
Reaffirming its commitment to Pan-African solidarity, ITUC-Africa said African workers have contributed significantly to the economic and social development of countries across the continent, including South Africa, and deserve to be treated with dignity, equality and respect wherever they live and work.
“Lasting solutions to the challenges confronting our societies will not be found in fear, exclusion or violence, but in justice, decent work, democratic governance and shared prosperity for all Africans,” the statement added.
