The African regional organisation of International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-AFRICA) has applauded migrant workers worldwide for their contributions to the economies growth and development of their host, transit and origin communities.
General Secretary of the group,
Kwasi Adu-Amankwah in his massage to commemorates this year’s International Migrants Day said the world must deal with the crises of the deficit of effective migration governance and the lack of global solidarity.
He said: “We use this occasion to reiterate that migrants’ rights are human rights and that the life of every migrant matters.
“We remain concerned that 51,000 migrants have died over the last 8 years according to the International Organisation on Migration (IOM), and the status of thousands still remain unknown.
“Beyond these figures are persons whose hopes and dreams have been terminated abruptly. For those that have simply disappeared, their families, their loved ones, and communities live in a continuous state of apprehension, distraught and the inability to bring closure on account that their relations’ status is unknown.
“These developments affirm the position of the ITUC-Africa that the world must deal with the crises of the deficit of effective migration governance and the lack of global solidarity.
“Migrant workers’ socio-economic and cultural contributions to the origin, transit, host economies and communities are real and valuable.
“We consider it fitting to celebrate these young and old men and women who work in offices, shops, farms, factories, homes and enterprises far away from their homes and families to contribute to economies and to earn honest living.
“These migrant workers deserve our commendation and protection. Their human and labour rights must be consciously respected and preserved, and they should not be discriminated against and exploited.
“African trade unions will continue to advocate for protective guarantees for these migrant workers, including working with our governments, employer associations, and other stakeholders to achieve this.
“Migrants and migrant workers need to feel and enjoy the empathy of our humanity and solidarity.
“The nature of this solidarity will mean continuous work to increase standards ratification, domestication, application and enforcement. It will also mean we double our efforts to achieve better recruitment outcomes”.
IMD: ITUC-Africa commends migrant workers for contributions to societal development
