Xenophobic attacks, killings: Isolate South Africa, Aremu urges African leaders

Labour leader and Vice President, Industrial Global Union, Comrade Issa Aremu, has called on all Africa countries to rise against attacks and killings of migrant workers, as recently exhibited by South Africa.

Aremu also urged the isolation of dubious and corrupt politicians, who want to shift blames of xenophobic attacks on immigrant workers. Speaking while delivering his remarks at the Union’s Sub Sahara Africa Regional Executive committee meeting held in Harare, Zimbabwe, the labour leader advised African leaders to demand for inclusive job-led growth in their countries to create jobs for all Africans.

In the speech, copy of which was made available to Journalists in Kaduna, Aremu suggested: “All must rise up against xenophobic attacks on immigrant workers. We must deplore poor on poor senseless violence, we must isolate dubious and corrupt politicians who want to shift the blames of their criminal failure on service delivery on foreign workers.”

Aremu, who is also a National Executive Council (NEC) member of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), maintained that “Africa, more than ever before, needs inclusive development based on common market, commonwealth and common citizenship.”

He stressed that Africa should learn from China, “which has kept 1.5 billion citizens engaged through double digit growth rate, mass job led inclusive industrialization and development.”

“We must counter xenophobia with demand on our leaders for sustainable industrial policies in line with the goal of sustainable industrial policy.”

The labour chief suggested that May 25, being Africa Day; all industrial affiliates must lead the campaign for inclusive development and against all forms of xenophobia, which he said should be seen as act of terrorism.