By Michael Oche
For millions of workers across Africa, the promise of decent work and fair wages remains out of reach. Many struggle to find stable jobs, and even those who are employed often earn wages too low to support their families.
In markets, on construction sites, and in factories, men and women toil tirelessly, yet their earnings barely sustain them.
“I work 9 hours a day, but by the time I pay rent and feed my children, there is nothing left,” says Haruna Musa, a construction worker in Abuja.
Musa’s plight is a stark reminder of the obstacles faced by millions of Africans workers who struggle with social injustices, including workplace discrimination and the lack of social protection.
As the cost of living continues to rise, many workers are forced to make impossible choices—whether to feed their children or pay rent.
This is the harsh reality for many African workers, where 70% of workers in sub-Saharan Africa are trapped in vulnerable employment, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO). They lack contracts, social protections, or even the certainty of their next paycheck.
Rising inflation has further compounded this crisis, leading to widespread job losses, pushing more workers into poverty and deepening economic hardship across the continent.
From Benin to South Africa, and Tunisia to Cameroon, one of the biggest struggles workers face is low pay and lack of access to social protection.
Comrade Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), sums it up bluntly. He says, “One of the contradictions of work on our continent is that the more we work, the less we earn and the poorer we become.”
For decades, trade unions have fought against these injustices, yet the problem persists. But rather than resign to frustration, African trade unions are redefining their approach and actively seeking sustainable solutions.
ITUC-Africa’s Response:
Rather than relying solely on protests, Organization like the African Regional Organization of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) which represents 17 million workers in 52 African countries, are leading efforts to equip workers with the skills, knowledge, and tools needed to advocate for systemic change, transform their working conditions and secure a more just economic future.
Stakeholders agree that to drive meaningful change, trade unions need a seat at the decision-making table. But to occupy that seat, they must first build their capacity to participate, influence, and shape policies.
ITUC-Africa General Secretary, Akhator Joel Odigie, says solving Africa’s labour crisis requires more than just protests. “We cannot just react to crises. We must equip workers with the tools to shape their future,” he says.
ITUC-Africa is doing just that. Through its New Year School, the regional organisation has been empowering workers through training, advocacy, and strategic partnerships to provide workers with the resources and expertise needed to forge their own path.
New Year School And Strengthening Trade Unions Influence:
Since its inception in 2011, the ITUC-Africa New Year School (NYS) has established itself as a premier platform for training and capacity building for trade union leaders across the African continent. The NYS is also a space for reflecting on real world of work issues with the aim of seeking pragmatic solutions and alternatives.
The impact of the New Year School since its inception has been profound, leading to a significant increase in collective bargaining agreements and better deals for workers at national and regional levels across Africa.
In countries like Nigeria, South Africa and Senegal, unions have recently negotiated higher minimum wages successfully, setting an example for others. In Tanzania, the union is pushing for maternity leave policies that support working mothers. In Zambia, efforts are underway to ensure informal workers can access healthcare and pensions.
Despite this progress, however, significant challenges persist, including the pressing issue of employability, which remains a major concern across Africa, where high youth unemployment rates and a significant skills mismatch threaten to derail economic progress.
Data from the ILO 2024 Global Employment Trends for Youth shows that In 2023, 53 million youth in sub-Saharan Africa were not in employment, education or training (NEET). That means that more than 1 in 5 youth (21.9%) in the region were in NEET status, just slightly above the global youth NEET rate of 20.4%.
This alarming youth unemployment rate in sub-Saharan Africa underscores the need for innovative solutions and strategic interventions.
Odigie explains that “the thematic focus of the New Year School has evolved to reflect the changing priorities and needs of the African workforce. Past editions have explored topics ranging from African emancipation and regional integration to sustainable development, trade union renewal, and unity.”
Building on the momentum and outcomes of the previous edition, the 15th edition of the NYS will centre on the theme “Employability, Living Wage, and Economic Transformation for Social Justice in Africa”.
For too long, African workers have been told to accept exploitation as the price of survival. But ITUC-Africa is proving that change is possible and trade unions can proffer solutions to the many challenges in the continent.
Odigie says the theme for the 2025 edition holding this February in Abidjan, with at least 100 participants, is both timely and relevant, addressing three critical pillars essential for achieving social justice and economic development in Africa.
He says, “Employability remains a pressing issue as the continent grapples with high youth unemployment rates and the need to align education and skills development with labour market demands for economic transformation and shared prosperity.
“The concept of a living wage is crucial for ensuring that workers can earn incomes that support a decent standard of living, thereby reducing poverty and inequality. Economic transformation, on the other hand, is vital for creating inclusive and sustainable growth that benefits all segments of society.”
“The 15th Edition of the ITUC-Africa New Year School (NYS) aims to empower trade unions to play a pivotal role in advancing social justice across Africa. This year’ s theme, “Employability, Living Wage, and Economic Transformation for Social Justice in Africa,” focuses on equipping union leaders with the knowledge and tools necessary to advocate for and implement policies that promote decent work, economic equality, and sustainable development. The school seeks to enhance the capacity of trade unions to influence policies that ensure the continent’ s economic progress translates into tangible benefits for all workers.”
The ITUC-Africa General Secretary expressed optimism that at the end of the school, participants will acquire a thorough understanding of youth employability challenges, including skills mismatches and barriers, and develop effective strategies to address these issues.
They will also be equipped to advocate for and implement living wage policies that ensure fair compensation and contribute to reducing income inequality.
He says, “Participants will gain skills to influence economic transformation efforts, ensuring they promote inclusive growth while balancing environmental sustainability and social equity. Participants will learn how to align their trade union efforts with the ILO’ s social justice agenda and contribute to global advocacy and policy-making processes.
“Participants will be empowered to lead social justice initiatives, focusing on promoting decent work, gender equality, and comprehensive social protection. Participants will develop actionable plans to translate economic advancements into tangible benefits for workers, ensuring that progress positively impacts all workers in their regions.”
The fight for decent work, fair wages, and economic justice in Africa is far from over. However, ITUC-Africa’s initiatives, such as the New Year School, demonstrate that trade unions can be catalysts for meaningful change. As Africa’s workforce continues to grow, the time for action is now.
Governments and employers must step up by investing in skills development, enforcing living wage policies, and strengthening labor protections to ensure that economic progress translates into improved livelihoods for all. The question remains:
Will those in power rise to the challenge, or will workers continue to bear the brunt of inequality?
