The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has welcomed the adoption of the Global Framework for Reparatory Justice.
The framework was adopted at a high-level “Next Steps” Conference held in Accra, Ghana.
In a statement signed by the General Secretary of ITUC-Africa, Comrade Joel Odigie, the organisation described the framework as a historic milestone in the long struggle for justice, dignity and redress for the crimes of slavery, colonialism, apartheid, and the continued exploitation of Africa and people of African descent across the world.
According to Odigie, the adoption of the 19-point framework comes at a defining moment, following the recent United Nations General Assembly resolution recognising the transatlantic slave trade and slavery as the gravest crimes against humanity.
He noted that the development reflects growing global recognition that historical injustices cannot merely be acknowledged but must be addressed through concrete and transformative actions.
“For African workers, reparatory justice is not only about the past; it is also about confronting present-day realities of structural inequality, underdevelopment, debt burdens, illicit financial flows, economic dependency and persistent racial discrimination that continue to limit opportunities for working people across Africa and the diaspora,” he said.
Odigie added that the wealth extracted through slavery and colonialism helped build prosperity for some nations while entrenching poverty, exclusion and inequality for many others.
He stated that ITUC-Africa supports the framework’s calls for formal apologies, restitution of cultural heritage, equitable compensation, debt relief and institutional reforms.
“We particularly welcome efforts to establish international mechanisms capable of advancing implementation and ensuring accountability.
“We call on governments, international institutions, employers and social partners to engage constructively in this process.
“Reparatory justice must form part of a broader agenda for economic democracy, social justice, decent work and sustainable development.
“The time has come for the international community to move from recognition to action,” he said.
