The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation, ITUC-Africa has called on African governments to take decisive and coordinated action to protect migrant workers, warning that exploitation and abuse persist across the continent despite existing global and regional frameworks.
In a statement issued by its General Secretary Akhator Joel Odigie to mark the International Migrants’ Day 2025, ITUC-Africa, which represents more than 18 million workers across Africa, said it stands in solidarity with migrant workers and their families, stressing that migrants are both human beings and workers who deserve dignity, protection and fair treatment.
ITUC-Africa urged African governments to strengthen protections for migrant workers by investing in decent work opportunities, expanding social protection, ensuring fair recruitment and improving labour migration governance.
It also called on African Union member states to ratify the AU Free Movement Protocol, adopted in 2018, describing it as critical to achieving continental integration under Agenda 2063 and unlocking the full potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA.
The statement added that Global and continental frameworks already exist to address these challenges, including ILO Conventions, the Fair Recruitment Principles, the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, and the African Union and Regional Economic Communities RECs migration and labour instruments.
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ITUC- Africa however, expressed worries that implementation gaps remain wide. Weak regulations of recruitment agencies, lack of political will, limited labour inspection, deep structural challenges, and poor access to justice continue to fuel exploitation and irregular migration, stressing that Security-only approaches and border externalisation have failed, pushing migrants into dangerous routes while enriching traffickers.
The regional organisation noted that Africa remains a continent of origin, transit and destination, with most migration taking place within the continent.
According to ITUC-Africa General Secretary, workers migrate largely in search of decent work, safety and opportunity, driven by unemployment, inequality, conflict, climate stress and weak labour markets.
However, Odigie said many migrants and their families continue to face severe challenges, including abusive recruitment practices, wage theft, forced labour, trafficking and widespread discrimination. Women migrant workers and young people, the group added, are particularly vulnerable to violence, harassment and unsafe, irregular migration pathways.
The organisation further appealed to the African Union and regional blocs to harmonise labour migration frameworks, strengthen rights-based bilateral labour agreements and ensure that free movement policies are firmly anchored in workers’ rights and social dialogue.
ITUC-Africa said it remains committed to building alliances with non-state actors and engaging governments to ensure the safety, rights and dignity of all migrants.
(Editor: Ada Ononye)
