The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has welcomed the adoption of the global framework for reparatory justice at the landmark High-Level ‘Next Steps’ Conference held in Accra, Ghana.

ITUC-Africa also joined workers, trade unions and civil society organisations across the continent and the world in commemorating the 2026 United Nations Public Service Day.

The General Secretary of the ITUC-Africa, Joel Odigie, noted that the adoption of the 19-point Global Framework for Reparatory Justice marks a historic milestone in the long struggle for justice, dignity and redress for the crimes of slavery, colonialism, apartheid and the continued exploitation of Africa and people of African descent worldwide.

Coming on the heels of the recent United Nations General Assembly resolution recognising the transatlantic slave trade and slavery as the gravest crime against humanity, the framework reflects growing international recognition that historical injustices demand concrete and transformative action.

He stated that for African workers, reparatory justice is not only about acknowledging the past.

He insisted that it is about confronting the enduring realities of structural inequality, underdevelopment, debt burdens, illicit financial flows, economic dependency and persistent racial discrimination that continue to undermine development and limit opportunities for working people across Africa and the diaspora.

According to him, the wealth extracted through slavery and colonialism helped build prosperity elsewhere while entrenching poverty and exclusion across much of Africa.

ITUC-Africa, while expressing its support for the framework, calls for formal apologies, restitution of cultural heritage, equitable compensation, debt relief and institutional reforms, as well as the establishment of effective international mechanisms to advance implementation and accountability.

The continental labour body observed that reparatory justice must become an integral part of a broader agenda for economic democracy, social justice, decent work and sustainable development.

As the world marks United Nations Public Service Day, ITUC-Africa paid glowing tribute to the millions of public service workers whose dedication keeps societies functioning every day.

Nurses, teachers, sanitation workers, social workers, agricultural extension officers and civil servants provide essential services that sustain communities, support economic growth and uphold human dignity.

Despite their indispensable contribution, many public service workers across Africa continue to endure low wages, delayed salaries, understaffing, poor working conditions and restrictions on their fundamental labour rights.

Public services should not be viewed as a burden on national budgets but as strategic investments in people and the future of African societies.

Strong, accessible and democratically accountable public services are indispensable to reducing poverty and inequality, promoting social justice and achieving sustainable development.

ITUC-Africa, therefore, called on African governments to recommit to quality public service delivery by strengthening public financing through decisive action against illicit financial flows, excessive debt servicing, corruption and kleptocracy.

“Governments must respect freedom of association and collective bargaining in accordance with ILO Conventions 87 and 98, end salary arrears and wage theft, reverse policies that undermine public services through privatisation, and address gender inequality by ensuring equal pay for work of equal value, decent working conditions and the elimination of violence and harassment at work in line with ILO Convention 190,” it said.

ITUC-Africa maintained that poverty and inequality cannot be defeated while public services remain underfunded and public workers are left behind.

It added: “Sustainable development requires sustained investment in people, strong public institutions and policies that place workers and communities at the centre of development.”

ITUC-Africa urged governments, international institutions, employers and all social partners to translate commitments into meaningful action.

To the labour body, advancing reparatory justice and investing in quality public services are mutually reinforcing pillars of Africa’s quest for justice, dignity, inclusive growth and shared prosperity.