Mid-year reflections: Advancing decent work together

As we reach the midpoint of 2025, it is a timely opportunity to reflect on the strides we’ve made and recommit to our shared vision of social justice through decent work. This year has been defined by collaboration, innovation, and solidarity across East Africa and the Indian Ocean. From national policy breakthroughs to local grassroots impact, we are seeing real progress on the ground.

To capture this journey clearly and coherently, I reflect on our collective achievements through key themes with highlights from each country that show how our shared priorities are advancing in diverse ways.

Celebrating Workers: Labour Day 2025

Labour Day 2025 was not just a calendar event across East Africa it was a powerful affirmation of the dignity of work and the evolving role of labour in national development:

In Tanzania, the spotlight turned to Singida, where President Samia Suluhu Hassan presided over the national celebrations. Under clear skies and a strong theme of productivity and inclusion, President Samia addressed thousands of workers, calling for continued investment in decent jobs, safe workplaces, and expanded protections particularly for those in the informal economy. Her remarks reflected the government’s commitment to deepening social dialogue and ensuring that no one is left behind in the country’s economic journey. The presence of employers, workers' organisations, and government officials under one platform demonstrated the strength of Tanzania’s tripartite foundation.

Over in Nairobi, President William Ruto led the national Labour Day ceremony with a forward-looking address focused on preparing the workforce for the demands of a rapidly evolving economy. He spoke of harnessing digital technologies, expanding social protection, and investing in skills that align with future job markets — particularly for youth. The event brought together national trade unions, private sector leaders, and informal economy representatives, all united around the goal of building a more inclusive and resilient labour force.

Across the border in Uganda, Labour Day took on historic significance. In front of a national audience, President Yoweri Museveni formally launched Uganda’s third Decent Work Country Programme (2025–2029) a major milestone outlining the country's long-term vision for employment, rights, social protection, and dialogue. The event also marked the rollout of Uganda’s new Labour Market Information System, a digital platform designed to improve labour data, shape smarter policies, and match skills with jobs. Building on this momentum, the President announced a set of transformative labour reforms from establishing a National Productivity Centre to revitalising wage governance institutions and intensifying efforts to end the casualisation of work through more robust labour inspections. Taken together, these actions signal Uganda’s deepening commitment to shaping a labour market that is fair, inclusive, and forward-looking.

Further east, Zanzibar’s celebrations brought workers, unions, and employers together in a show of unity and resolve. Public rallies and dialogues focused on workers’ rights, workplace safety, and the role of decent work in strengthening communities. Here too, the spirit of tripartism stood tall a reminder that the future of work must be shaped collaboratively.

Taken together, Labour Day 2025 unfolded as a chorus of national voices each distinct yet bound by a shared belief: that the path to prosperity must be paved with dignity, equity, and decent work for every woman and man.

National Employment Policy and DWCP Extension in Burundi

In Burundi, two major frameworks were finalised and extended to support the country’s development trajectory.

The government completed its National Employment Policy for 2025–2030, which outlines a long-term strategy to boost job creation, formalise the economy, and foster inclusive growth. At the same time, Burundi extended its Decent Work Country Programme through 2028 to ensure alignment with its Revised National Development Plan (2018–2027) and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023–2027). These actions reflect Burundi’s commitment to integrated, sustainable, and nationally owned employment policies.

Advancing Social Protection and Inclusion

Efforts to expand and strengthen social protection systems continue to bear fruit across the region.

Burundi made significant progress with the technical-level approval of its Universal Health Coverage financing strategy, paving the way for greater access to health and social services, particularly for informal and vulnerable workers. The creation of a National Technical Committee on Social Protection Data, trained in ILO standards and tools, marks a step forward in building the evidence base for informed policymaking.

In Rwanda, a South-South peer learning exchange deepened understanding of how to expand coverage for informal workers and strengthen employment services.

Uganda’s newly launched Labour Market Information System (LMIS) is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping inclusive social protection policies informed by labour market realities.

Promoting Occupational Safety and Health

The World Day for Safety and Health at Work was commemorated across the region with renewed commitment to prevention and protection.

In Tanzania, high-level events and technical sessions emphasized the importance of inspections, data systems, and joint planning to address workplace hazards. The government reaffirmed its responsibility to enforce OSH regulations in high-risk sectors and to work with employers and workers in creating safe and healthy work environments.

Ending Child Labour and Advancing Social Justice

Protecting children from exploitation is a moral and developmental imperative.

In Tanzania, this year’s World Day Against Child Labour was marked with a high-level press conference that reignited national conversations and commitments. Government, employers, and civil society came together to reaffirm a coordinated path forward.

In Kenya, the national commemoration in Busia County an area heavily affected by child labour in agriculture and informal cross-border trade underscored the urgency of action. The event featured survivor testimonies and new pledges to accelerate implementation of the national plan to eliminate child labour.

Youth empowerment and Digital Innovation

Youth continued to lead the way in transforming the world of work.

In Rwanda, over 120 youth from Musanze, Muhanga, and Huye participated in hands-on business development training under the project “Boosting Decent Jobs and Enhancing Skills for Youth in the Digital Economy,” supported by the Government of Luxembourg and implemented through Kina Rwanda. Using the ILO’s Start and Improve Your Business and Digitalize Your Business methodologies, participants gained practical tools to plan, manage, and scale their businesses in a digital environment.

In Kenya, youth-led initiatives harnessing artificial intelligence are opening new employment pathways. Through ILO-supported innovation labs and bootcamps, young people are developing digital tools and enterprises that address local employment challenges and expand opportunity.

Decent Work for All- Gender Equality and Inclusion

Ensuring that no one is left behind means confronting inequality in all its forms.

In Tanzania, one of the most urgent calls is to ensure recognition and protection for domestic workers the majority of whom are women. The ILO continues to strongly urge the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania to ratify Convention No. 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers. Ratifying C.189 would send a powerful signal that the rights of domestic workers to fair wages, safe working conditions, and social protection are not optional, but fundamental. It is time to bring the invisible workforce into the heart of national labour standards.

In Kisumu, Kenya, our disability inclusion programme is working with county officials and training centres to improve access to jobs and entrepreneurship for persons with disabilities guided by inclusive policies and accessible infrastructure.

Elsewhere in Kenya, we’re addressing the intergenerational care gap by supporting market-based daycare centres in informal markets. These spaces enable mothers to work with peace of mind, while their children receive care and early education — a practical solution that links gender equality, economic empowerment, and childhood development.

Regional Cooperation and South-South Partnerships

Cross-border collaboration is unlocking new opportunities and shared learning.

This year, Kenya and Madagascar advanced South-South Cooperation through mutual exchanges on youth employment, social protection, and informal sector reform. These engagements are helping countries co-develop and adapt solutions to fit local realities.

In Rwanda, our peer learning forum on employment and social protection further strengthened regional collaboration with policymakers sharing models for scaling up inclusive employment strategies.

Greening Jobs and the Future of Work

In the face of climate change, Kenya made an important step forward with the development of its National Green Jobs and Skills Development Plan. With ILO support, the plan outlines a strategy to equip workers with the skills needed to succeed in emerging green sectors such as sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and circular economy industries. This is a critical part of ensuring a just transition that leaves no one behind.

South-South Cooperation and Regional Solidarity

Across the region, we continue to see the power of regional collaboration.

Kenya and Madagascar engaged in a South-South knowledge exchange focused on employment formalisation, youth skills, and social protection systems.

In Rwanda, a regional peer learning forum brought together stakeholders from multiple countries to share experience on building inclusive employment strategies and adaptive social protection models. These exchanges demonstrate the strength of African solutions built through solidarity and shared learning.

A Message of thanks and resolve

As we move into the second half of the year, let us build on this momentum. Together, we can create a future where every worker is protected, every young person empowered, and every community supported to thrive.

None of these achievements would have been possible without the tireless efforts of our tripartite constituents’ governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations as well as our development partners, civil society, and UN colleagues.

Our journey in the first half of 2025 has been rich, demanding, and rewarding. I am deeply grateful to our tripartite constituents, UN partners, development agencies, and most importantly, the communities and individuals who drive our work forward.

As we move into the second half of the year, we remain guided by our founding vision: that labour is not a commodity, and that every person, regardless of background, deserves dignity, fairness, and opportunity.

Let us continue to build economies that are not only productive but just.

With determination and solidarity,

To all of you: thank you. Your dedication fuels our mission.

As we look ahead to the second half of 2025, I invite us to stay the course. Let us continue to ask bold questions, challenge inequality, and create systems that work for everyone especially those left furthest behind.

Because when we work together, decent work is not a dream, it is a promise we can keep.