By Michael Oche
The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation Africa (ITUC-Africa) has strongly condemned the renewed wave of xenophobic attacks targeting African migrant workers and foreign nationals in South Africa, describing the violence as unacceptable and a threat to continental unity.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its General Secretary Akhator Joel Odigie, the union body said the persistent attacks reflect rising intolerance, hate, and discrimination, warning that such actions undermine Africa’s long-standing ideals of solidarity, social cohesion, and shared prosperity.
ITUC-Africa, which represents over 18 million workers across 52 African countries, described the attacks as
“barbaric and cowardly,” insisting that they must end immediately.
“There is no place for hate and xenophobia in Africa,” the organisation stated, stressing that violence against fellow Africans weakens labour rights, threatens peace, and erodes the spirit of Pan-African unity.
The Labour body emphasised that colonial-era borders should not be used to justify exclusion or violence, noting that migrant workers play a vital role in national economies and deserve protection and dignity regardless of their country of origin.
ITUC-Africa called on the South African government to go beyond rhetoric and take decisive steps to protect vulnerable communities, including prosecuting perpetrators, strengthening labour inspection systems, and promoting inclusive social dialogue.
It also urged authorities to uphold international obligations under conventions of the International Labour Organization, including Conventions 97, 143, and 190, as well as the United Nations Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
While acknowledging that not all provisions of these instruments have been fully domesticated in South Africa, the organisation said the current crisis exposes significant gaps in national legislation and enforcement.
“International standards exist to guide countries in addressing such deficiencies. As a signatory, South Africa must align its laws and practices to ensure full protection for migrant workers,” the statement added.
ITUC-Africa further warned against allowing citizens to take the law into their own hands, particularly against “armless and defenceless” individuals, stressing that even cases involving undocumented migrants must be handled through lawful and humane processes.
Odigie called for urgent regional intervention, urging the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to step in and address what it described as a growing regional crisis.
According to the ITUC-Africa General Secretary, xenophobia not only divides workers but also fuels exploitation and weakens collective efforts to improve working conditions across the continent.
