WorldStage– The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has condemned attacks, intimidation and unlawful actions against migrants and foreign nationals in South Africa.
This is contained in a statement issued and signed by Mr Akhator-Joel Odigie, General Secretary of ITUC-Africa on Wednesday in Abuja.
Odigie also demanded strict adherence to the rule of law, warning against vigilantism and unlawful actions targeting migrants and foreign nationals across South Africa.
He said the organisation remained deeply concerned over recurring violence against migrants, describing such actions as threats to constitutional governance, social cohesion and Africa’s shared values.
He recalled ITUC-Africa’s previous condemnations of Afrophobia and all forms of discrimination against African migrants, reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to protecting the dignity and rights of workers.
The general secretary expressed solidarity with South African trade unions and organised businesses over concerns about escalating unlawful conduct and its consequences for investment, employment and national stability.
He said South Africa’s Constitution vested responsibility for enforcing immigration, labour and criminal laws solely in government institutions, warning that private individuals must not assume such responsibilities.
“The responsibility for enforcing immigration, labour and criminal laws rests solely with the State and its duly mandated institutions,” he said.
Odigie said international labour standards also recognised the responsibility of competent public authorities to enforce labour legislation and protect migrant workers from discrimination and exploitation.
He cited relevant International Labour Organisation conventions guaranteeing equality of treatment, dignity and protection for migrant workers regardless of nationality or employment status.
He, however, acknowledged the socio-economic pressures confronting many South Africans but insisted they could never justify violence or unlawful actions against migrants.
“However deeply citizens may feel the effects of unemployment, crime, inequality or pressures on public services, it cannot justify vigilantism, intimidation, violence or unlawful inspections,” he said.
He said individuals taking the law into their own hands undermined constitutional governance and should be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with established legal procedures.
“Those who take the law into their own hands undermine constitutional governance and must be investigated and held accountable in accordance with the law,” he said.
Odigie urged the South African Government to act decisively by restoring public order, protecting everyone within its territory and ensuring laws were enforced fairly without discrimination.
He also urged authorities to address unemployment, poverty, inequality and poor public services, saying those structural challenges continued to fuel social tensions and public frustration.
“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,” he said.
The ITUC-Africa general secretary also called on African governments to strengthen governance and implement policies promoting productive employment, social protection and sustainable industrial development.
According to him, migration across Africa is often driven by the search for decent work, security and better opportunities, requiring long-term policy responses by governments.
“Migration should become a matter of choice rather than necessity through investment in productive employment, social protection and accountable governance,” he said.
Odigie stressed that Africa’s shared history and collective aspirations demanded unity, urging citizens to reject every attempt to divide Africans along national or ethnic lines.
“Africa is one. Our shared history, common struggles and collective aspirations demand that we reject every attempt to divide our people along national lines,” he said.
He reaffirmed ITUC-Africa’s commitment to the rule of law, protection of migrant workers, defence of workers’ rights and promotion of Pan-African solidarity across the continent.
“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 said.
