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4 March, 2025Trade unions want to be involved in policymaking to become some of the actors that will change Africa’s narrative from war, poverty, natural disasters and unemployment, to one of economic transformation and development. The call came during discussions at the 15 ITUC Africa New Year School in Grand Bassam, Cote d’Ivoire, 25-28 February.
Over 150 delegates from more than 37 African countries, plus some from Europe, attended the school themed: Employability, living wage, peace and economic transformation for social justice in Africa. Discussions, held both in-person and online, focused on the decent work agenda with an emphasis on social dialogue.
Trade unionists, academics and government officials made presentations on diverse issues including resource-based industrialization, sustainable energy policies, youth employment, skills development including digital skills and platform work. Youth employment was highlighted as the continent has over 60 per cent of its population under the age of 25.
However, of the 15 million young Africans who enter the job market, annually, mostly worked in the informal economy. Debt cancellation, inclusion of labour provisions in the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement and feminist economics-that ensured women’s labour is equally remunerated-were some of the issues discussed.
Speakers from the International Labour Organization (ILO) focused on Recommendation 205 (employment and decent work for peace and resilience) which addresses crises arising from conflicts and disasters. Further, they urged African trade unions to join the Global Coalition for Social Justice.
Robert Beugré Mambé, the Prime Minister of Cote d’Ivoire, said the country’s government engaged with trade unions and employers in social dialogue and this led to building trust and increased minimum wages.
During the march for social justice, Joel Odigie, ITUC Africa general secretary, said Africa’s debt must be cancelled.
“We call upon the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to cancel these debts and channel the funds towards the development of the continent.”
“We want a resilient, sustainable and prosperous Africa that promotes gender equality and youth employment,”
added Rose Omamo, IndustriALL vice president and ITUC-Africa deputy president.
Paule-France Ndessomin, IndustriALL regional secretary for Sub-Saharan Africa, said:
“Transition minerals can play a part in the Just Transition to low carbon economies, but for this to happen there should be social dialogue, social protection, equitable distribution of resources and power and decent work as well as skills development.”
However, she said some countries with critical minerals had poor beneficiation policies which stalled using the minerals for economic development. For example, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s cobalt mining faced resource conflicts and Zimbabwe’s lithium mining is riddled with corruption. She further said the growth of battery manufacturing industries that promoted local supply chains is important for decent jobs creation.