The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has again condemned what it described as xenophobic attacks on migrants in South Africa.
A statement signed by its General Secretary, Comrade Joel Odigie, said the organisation “notes with deep concern the ongoing incidents of violence, intimidation and unlawful actions directed at migrants and foreign nationals in South Africa.
“ITUC-Africa recalls its previous statements condemning Afrophobia and all forms of discrimination against African migrants.
“We reaffirm that position and express our solidarity with the joint statement issued by the South African trade unions, as well as the concerns expressed by organised business regarding the escalation of unlawful conduct, its impact on social cohesion, and the consequences for economic stability, investment and employment,” he stated.
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South Africa, he said, is a constitutional democracy founded on the rule of law, saying that the responsibility for enforcing immigration, labour and criminal laws rests solely with the state and its duly mandated institutions.
“This principle is equally reflected in international labour standards.
The ILO Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) makes clear that the enforcement of labour legislation is the responsibility of competent public authorities, while the ILO Migration for Employment Convention, 1949 (No. 97), the ILO Migrant Workers (Supplementary Provisions) Convention, 1975 (No. 143), and the ILO Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) affirm the rights of migrant workers to equality of treatment, protection from discrimination and respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.
“However, as deeply as citizens may feel the effects of unemployment, crime, inequality or pressures on public services, it cannot justify vigilantism, intimidation, violence, unlawful inspections or the targeting of individuals on the basis of nationality or perceived origin”.
The ITUC-Africa scribe stressed that those who take the law into their own hands undermine constitutional governance and must be investigated and held accountable in accordance with the law.
“At the same time, ITUC-Africa calls upon the Government of South Africa to act decisively.
“The State has a constitutional obligation to protect everyone within its territory, maintain public order and ensure that the law is applied fairly and without discrimination.
“Beyond restoring order, the Government must intensify efforts to address the structural socio-economic challenges that continue to fuel frustration and social tensions, including unemployment, inequality, poverty and inadequate public services.
“We equally call upon governments across Africa to strengthen governance and implement policies that improve the welfare of their people”, he said.
The movement of Africans across borders, according to him, is often driven by the search for decent work, security and opportunity, adding that sustainable responses require greater investment in productive employment, social protection, industrial development, quality public services and accountable governance so that migration becomes a matter of choice rather than necessity.
“Our shared history, common struggles and collective aspirations demand that we reject every attempt to divide our people along national lines”.
Odigie emphasised that African workers have contributed to the economic and social development of every region of the continent, including South Africa, and deserve to be treated with dignity, equality and respect wherever they live and work.
“ITUC-Africa remains steadfast in its commitment to the rule of law, the protection of migrant workers, the defence of workers’ rights and the advancement of Pan-African solidarity.
“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”, he stated.
