Africa

The situation of workers in Africa worsened compared to last year, with an average rating of 3.84.

Burundi, Central African Republic, Somalia and South Sudan were still plagued by internal conflicts, which further deteriorated the humanitarian situation and deprived millions of basic protections.

In Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea, Mali and Sudan, where military regimes have been established following coups in recent years, workers’ civil liberties and freedoms, such as the right to peaceful assembly and access to justice, were severely curtailed.

In the Africa region, working people in Guinea saw the military regime severely undermine their rights.

In Eswatini, government repression against opposition, including trade unions, culminated with the killing of Thulani Maseko, a prominent human rights lawyer, while in Zimbabwe, the authorities relentlessly persecuted and arrested trade union leaders. Workers in Cameroon, Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania continued to struggle to exercise their collective rights in the face of significant repressions.

Right to strike

95% of countries violated the right to strike.

Right to establish and join a trade union

95% of countries excluded workers from the right to establish or join a trade union.

Right to trade union activities

74% of countries impeded the registration of unions.

Right to collective bargaining

93% of countries violated the right to collective bargaining.

Right to justice

In 84% of countries workers, had no or restricted access to justice.

Right to civil liberties

Workers were detained and arrested in 17 countries.

Violent attacks on workers

Workers experienced violence in 9 countries.

Right to free speech and assembly

53% of countries restricted free speech and assembly.

Murders

Workers were murdered in Eswatini and Sierra Leone.