Representatives
from 49 African countries have issued a call for a human-centred approach to
the future of work, to unleash Africa’s potential for inclusive growth and
create a future of work with social justice.
The
Abidjan Declaration, entitled Advancing Social Justice: Shaping the future of
work in Africa, was issued by delegates representing governments, workers’ and
employers’ organizations, attending the 14th African Regional Meeting (AFRM) of
the International Labour Organization (ILO). The meeting was the culmination of
the ILO’s Centenary celebrations in 2019, which also marked 60 years of the
organization’s presence in Africa.
The
Declaration builds on the approach outlined in the ILO Centenary Declaration
for the Future of Work, adopted by the International Labour Conference in June
2019.
It
recognizes that improvements have been made since the Addis Ababa Declaration
adopted at the 13th African Regional Meeting in 2015 in terms of economic
growth, poverty reduction, wages and education, and that “with [Africa’s]
largely young and energetic population...its abundance of natural resources,
potential for further growth is promising.” However, it also recognizes that
“transformative processes need to be accelerated,” and serious concerns remain
in areas including inequality, unemployment and under-employment, youth
employment, child and forced labour, migration, social protection and climate
change.
The
Declaration calls for the shaping of an African Decent Work Agenda, with a
focus on five core priorities:
• Making decent work a reality for
Africa’s youth, developing skills, technological pathways and productivity for
a brighter future in Africa, transforming the informal and rural economy for
decent work, respecting international labour standards, promoting social
dialogue and gender equality.
• Strengthening the capacities of all
people to benefit from the opportunities of a changing world of work.
• Strengthening the efficiency of the
institutions of work to ensure adequate protection of all workers.
• Promoting inclusive and sustainable
economic development and growth, full and productive freely chosen employment
and decent work for all.
• Strengthening synergies between the
ILO and institutions in Africa.
The
Declaration calls for investment in education and training, tackling gender
inequality and discrimination, ensuring rights for youth, extending social
protection, supporting the private sector, in creating economic growth and
jobs, promoting productivity and technological pathways for decent work, as
well as entrepreneurship and social dialogue (including cross-border), among
others.
A
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