*Asks IMF, African leaders to provide transformative solutions that prioritise workers, citizens
By Michael Oche
The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has called on the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Africa’s leaders and multinational corporations to provide bold and transformative solutions to Africa’s debt crisis.
ITUC-Africa which represents the interest of workers across Africa, made this position known on Thursday, March 21 as it commenced a continental awareness campaign rally tagged: “stop the bleeding, break debt chains”, in Lusaka, the Zambian capital.
President of ITUC-Africa, Comrade Martha Molema, who read a letter of demand from the workers during a rally in Lusaka, the Zambian capital, said the global financial rules are rigged and skewed against Africa but said that the continent will no longer negotiate from a position of fear.
The workers’ organisation said while they will continue to hold African leaders accountable for the fiscal governance of our economies, multinational corporations operationing in Africa must adhere to national laws, pay fair taxes, and observe ethical business practices for the benefit of all citizens.
Our correspondent reports that workers during the rally on the streets of Lusaka had placards with various inscriptions such as “social protection crumbles under debt burden,”; “Africa needs its own credit rating institutions for fair economic ratings”; Drop the debt; Africa can’t breathe,”; “Unsustainable debt unpoprotiontly hurt women and girls”; “More debt, more taxes, more inequalities”; “We demand debt relief for Africa’s development” among others.
“Our demands are clear, and our resolve unwavering as we stand in solidarity with workers, vulnerable citizenry and communities affected by the burdens of debt, inequitable trade policies, and the climate crisis. The current plight of African and Zambian workers, exacerbated by the weight of national debt and a broken global financial architecture, cannot be understated,” Molema said while reading the demands of the workers which was signed by ITUC-Africa general secretary, Akhator Joel Odigie.
Thursday’s street rally was held to draw attention to the worsening plight of workers and citizens due to mounting debt burden, noted that while
The workers’ organisation explained that the burden of debt on African workers and citizens perpetuates poverty, exacerbates inequality, and hinders access to essential services, while undermining economic development and perpetuating cycles of dependency.
Molema said, “Despite previous debt relief efforts, the underlying structural problems remain unaddressed, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and economic dependence. Zambia’s relationship with the World Bank and IMF spans decades, yet solutions offered thus far fail to alleviate our plight, serving the interests of creditors rather than the well-being of our people.”
She argued that Africa refuses to negotiate from a position of fear, noting that the Continent is not a global liability but rather the victims of historical exploitation and systemic injustice perpetrated by slavery, colonialism, environmental exploitation, and the exacerbation of climate crises.
“At the core of our struggle lies the insidious practices of illicit financial flows (IFFs) that siphon off rightful earnings through tax evasion and avoidance, perpetuating poverty and inequality among our people. The policies enforced by international financial institutions such as the World Bank often exacerbate our debt burden, prioritizing structural adjustments that further marginalize workers and vulnerable segments of society,” she said
Reading out the demands of the workers, the ITUC-Africa President said; “We demand immediate action: Advocate for structural reforms addressing the root causes of Zambia and other African countries’ debt crisis, including transparency, accountability, and fairness in labour practices and fiscal policies.
“Encourage multinational corporations headquartered in their respective countries to refrain from wage evasion, unfair tax practices, and exploitative resource management, in favour of equitable and sustainable practices. Advocate for a restructuring of the global financial architecture to prioritize the rights and needs of workers over the interests of powerful financial institutions and multinational corporations.
“Support the call for the establishment of a UN Tax Convention that will help to improve the governance of global tax administration in a more transparent, inclusive, democratic, effective and fair manners.
“We call upon the diplomatic community to advocate for structural reforms, transparency, and accountability in fiscal policies and labour practices. Multinational corporations must adhere to national laws, pay fair taxes, and observe ethical business practices for the benefit of all citizens.
“Our message is that Africa will not continue to negotiate out of fear, blackmail and within a rigged global rule regime. We demand our continent genuinely engaged in ways to reverse the historical injustices we have suffered as a people.
“We shall continue to hold our leaders accountable for the fiscal governance of our economies because we believe that the continent can build a future of dignity, equality, and prosperity for all.”
Also speaking, President of ZCTU, Comrade Blake Malala, said; “African workers have woken up and will not keep quiet on the issue of debt and borrowing anymore. We shall henceforth engage and hold our governments accountable for the sake of our children and their unborn children.”
