ITUC-Africa rallies continent for stronger voice on jobs, regulation at global labour talks

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

As the future of work rapidly shifts under the weight of digital platforms, automation, and fragile labour systems, African trade unions are racing to ensure the continent is not sidelined in shaping global labour standards.

From the expanding gig economies of cities like Lagos and Nairobi, to emerging digital workspaces across the continent, jobs are evolving-but so are concerns over weak protections, poor regulation, and widening inequality. 

For millions of workers, the risk of being left behind is growing, as platform-driven employment models continue to outpace policy and oversight.

It is against this backdrop that African labour leaders, under the umbrella of the International Trade Union Confederation Africa, ITUC-Africa, are forging a united front ahead of the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference Organisation, ILC, scheduled for June 1-14 in Geneva, Switzerland.

At a two-day preparatory meeting in Lomé, Togo, union representatives from across the continent intensified efforts to align positions and strengthen Africa’s influence at the global forum, with a focus on fair platform work, stronger protections, and coordinated engagement.

The hybrid meeting was equally designed to align African workers’ positions on key issues expected to dominate deliberations at the global forum.

Quality delegates 

Speaking at the meeting, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation, ITUC-Africa, Akhator Joel Odigie, maintained that Africa must send quality and technically capable delegates to the ILC, beginning with the June 2026 session, in order to maximise the benefits of participation.

He cited Europe as an example, noting that the region typically deploys no less than 90 per cent technical delegates, with only about 10 per cent comprising other representatives who may not be as technically specialised, particularly in engagements such as the Committee on the Application of Standards, CAS, from start to finish.

“However, we have seen some African trade unions with a tradition of robust participation in the CAS, and we in the ITUC will continue to encourage such unions,” he said.

To ensure stronger and more effective representation, Odigie emphasised the need for thorough preparation by labour unions ahead of the ILC. 

He further stressed the importance of tripartite preparation involving government, employers in the private sector, and organised labour.

Labour centres, he said, should focus more on what unites workers rather than what divides them, regardless of institutional differences.

“In the same vein, we must, as a country, collaborate at the tripartite level, harmonise our collective interests, and work together to improve the world of work and the national economy before attending the ILC,” he noted.

Odigie also recommended continental-level coordination to ensure a strong and unified African presence at the conference, rather than allowing divisions among countries to weaken the continent’s influence.

He called for a renewed commitment to Pan-Africanism, urging trade unions across the continent to build strategic collaborations and partnerships with their governments rather than viewing such relationships as a compromise.

“Working with governments is not a betrayal of labour interests,” he stressed, noting that constructive engagement can yield better outcomes for workers.

On dispute resolution, Odigie advised that trade unions should prioritise internal mechanisms for addressing disagreements, violations, and conflicts with governments.

However, he noted that unresolved issues could be escalated to continental and international bodies such as ITUC-Africa, the ITUC, and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

He clarified that reporting concerns to international organisations should not be seen as an act against governments but as a constructive step toward resolving issues of mutual interest.

Such engagements, he said, can provide governments with the support needed to address systemic challenges.

Odigie also highlighted the importance of the rule of law, noting that institutions like the ILO remain effective tools for resolving labour disputes in societies where legal frameworks are respected. In contrast, he warned that the absence of the rule of law undermines governance and weakens institutional credibility.

Stronger African voice

Providing further insight, Odigie explained that the Lomé meeting,held in a hybrid format,was designed to ensure African workers engage more effectively at the Geneva conference.

“We are working through the entire agenda so that African workers can participate with a stronger, more coordinated voice,” he said.

As part of a new strategy, ITUC-Africa is requesting detailed lists of national delegations ahead of the conference to enhance coordination and improve the quality of contributions.

“We want our inputs to be stronger, deeper, and more impactful,” he added.

Despite the diversity of national contexts, Odigie expressed confidence that a unified African position is achievable, noting that workers’ challenges remain largely similar across borders.

A key issue expected to dominate discussions at the conference is platform work, which continues to expand rapidly across Africa.

Odigie highlighted the need to protect fundamental rights in this sector, including freedom of association, legal protections, and inclusion in policymaking.

He dismissed low internet access as a major barrier, arguing instead that weak regulation is the core challenge exposing workers to exploitation.

“Platform companies take significant commissions while contributing little to national infrastructure, and workers bear most of the costs,” he said.

He warned that without effective regulation, platform work could deepen job insecurity and informality, especially as automation and artificial intelligence threaten long-term employment stability.

Beyond labour concerns, Odigie cautioned that failure to address these challenges could have broader economic and social consequences, including rising inequality and potential instability.

He called on African governments to take a more active role in shaping labour standards and ensuring that workers’ protections are embedded in emerging global frameworks.

Countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Morocco, Mauritania, Central African Republic, and Cameroon, he noted, must work together as part of a coordinated continental push.

As preparations continue for the Geneva conference, ITUC-Africa is positioning the continent to play a more assertive role in global labour discussions.

For African unions, the message is clear: without fairness, regulation, and strong protections, the future of work risks becoming more unequal.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that the future of work in Africa is built on justice, fairness, and dignity,” Odigie said. “Anything less will not be acceptable.”

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