1. Introduction

On May 1st each year, workers across the world unite in solidarity to celebrate International Workers’ Day—an occasion that honours the historic struggles and achievements of the labour movement. Rooted in the fight for an eight-hour workday, this commemoration remains a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for fair wages, safe working conditions, and social justice.

In 2025, ITUC-Africa will mark this day under the theme “Industrialization, Trade, and Decent Work for Social Justice.” This theme highlights the urgent need to harness industrialisation and trade as transformative forces to generate decent employment, foster sustainable economic growth, and promote equity and dignity for African workers.

2. Context and Rationale

Africa stands at a pivotal crossroads in its economic development. While endowed with vast natural and human resources, the continent continues to grapple with endless violent conflicts, high unemployment, informal labour markets, precarious working conditions, and widening income inequality. Post-Independent Africa in the 1970s was gradually setting out and moving forward towards industrialisation. Sadly, the subsequent manipulative imposition of the Structural Adjustment Policies (SAPs) began the reversal. Today, we are confronted with avoidable threats of violent conflict, which pose a significant challenge to the continent’s development. We must continue to raise our voices to promote peace everywhere and to silence the guns.

Industrialisation can serve as a powerful engine for job creation and poverty eradication, provided it is inclusive, environmentally responsible, and grounded in strong labour protections. However, many African countries remain trapped in extractive economic models that fail to generate sufficient value-added employment. A deliberate shift toward diversified and resilient economies is crucial to ensure long-term prosperity and equitable distribution of wealth.

At the same time, the rise of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the global push for decarbonisation present both challenges and opportunities for African economies. Without a just transition framework in place, workers, particularly those in traditional industries, risk being displaced. Trade unions must play a proactive role in ensuring that industrial transformation does not exacerbate inequality or weaken labour rights.

Similarly, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents a significant opportunity to enhance intra-African trade and foster industrial growth. We have been actively advocating for firm commitments towards trade facilitation, including road, maritime, and aviation interconnectivity infrastructure, smooth payment systems, coherent tariff regimes, visa openness, and the development of skills. However, for workers and our people to benefit, trade agreements must embed robust labour rights protections, social safeguards, and mechanisms for democratic participation. Despite the complexities and risks associated with large-scale trade liberalisation, workers’ voices remain marginalised in AfCFTA negotiations. Trade unions must urgently push for their inclusion in policy dialogues to ensure that trade fosters decent work rather than exploitation.

Economic growth, no matter how impressive, must translate into tangible improvements in workers’ lives. This includes fair wages, safe working environments, social protection, and equal opportunities for all, particularly women, young people, and workers in the informal sector.

ITUC-Africa, therefore, calls on all affiliates, trade unions, and workers to use May Day 2025 as a platform for mobilisation, advocacy, and action. A just and inclusive economic transformation within a peaceful and stable environment is not only possible but also necessary.

3. Key Messages for Affiliates and Trade Unions

To advance the goals of industrialisation, trade, and decent work for social justice, trade unions must:

 Call for a broad national and continental peace and security architecture rooted in human welfare and well-being.
 Demand that we end all violent aggression everywhere and that dialogue and negotiated outcomes are respected, whilst showing solidarity and support to countries, communities and peoples affected by ongoing conflicts on the continent.
 Advocate for national industrialisation policies that prioritise job creation, fair wages, and social protection.
 Ensure that trade agreements, particularly AfCFTA, integrate strong labour rights protections and decent work provisions.
 Strengthen labour movements to organise informal, gig, and platform economy workers, ensuring they are not excluded from Africa’s industrial transformation.
 Promote sustainable industrialisation that aligns with climate justice, fair wages, and workers’ rights.
 Demand a Just Transition that safeguards workers in industries undergoing automation and climate adaptation.

4. Suggested Actions for May Day 2025 Commemoration

At the National Level:
 Organise workers’ rallies, marches, and conferences to raise awareness about the theme.
 Lobby governments to implement labour-friendly industrialisation and trade policies.
 Engage with employers to negotiate collective agreements that uphold the principles of decent work.
 Mobilise media campaigns to amplify workers’ demands for economic and social justice.

At the Workplace Level:
 Hold workplace forums to educate workers on industrialisation, trade, and labour rights.
 Strengthen unionisation and collective bargaining efforts.
 Advocate for better occupational health and safety standards, particularly in industrial and hazardous sectors.

At the Community Level:
 Collaborate with civil society organisations to push for fair economic policies.
 Organize training sessions on workers’ rights, trade, and industrial policies.
 Promote youth and women’s participation in trade union leadership and decision-making.

5. Conclusion

Africa’s future depends on equitable industrialisation, fair trade, and a strong commitment to decent work. Without the active involvement of trade unions and workers, industrial policies risk serving the interests of corporations and political elites rather than the interests of the people.

This May Day, ITUC-Africa calls on all workers and allies to stand together and demand a just economic transformation in a secure society. We aim to achieve economic transformation that extends beyond mere numerical growth statistics. Instead, we are committed to working and contributing to economic development that puts people over profits, dignity over exploitation, and solidarity over exclusion. Let us build a future where security, industrialisation and trade are indeed drivers of social justice, not inequality.

Akhator Joel ODIGIE
General Secretary