Empowering partnerships for Decent Work and a seasonal message of hope and progress

As we approach the close of 2024, I would like to extend warm seasonal greetings to our valued partners, colleagues, and stakeholders across the United Republic of Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. This season provides an opportunity for reflection, renewal, and the celebration of the collective efforts we have made to advance decent work and social justice in our region.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) remains committed to ensuring that decent work—encompassing employment creation, rights at work, social protection, and social dialogue—is central to fostering inclusive, resilient, and sustainable economies. In 2024, we have made notable progress in these areas, driven by the collaboration of governments, workers’ and employers' organizations, civil society, and our development partners.

Pillar 1: Employment Creation

In 2024, one of the primary focuses of the ILO in East Africa has been to support employment creation, particularly for youth, women, and marginalized communities. According to the ILO’s most recent updates, promoting formalization of informal employment and improving employment opportunities in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and the digital economy has been a priority.

In Kenya, the ILO has supported initiatives aimed at improving youth employment through skills development and vocational training, particularly in digital technology and entrepreneurship. This is critical in a country where youth unemployment remains a key challenge. As stated on the ILO website, the Skills Development and Employment Promotion Programme in Kenya has enhanced job prospects by aligning training programs with labour market needs, fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors to create new jobs.

Uganda has also seen progress in employment creation with initiatives targeting women and youth. The ILO's work in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Uganda has been pivotal in creating jobs by strengthening the business environment and providing training and financial support to entrepreneurs. This aligns with ILO’s commitment to employment promotion and decent work as vital drivers of economic growth, particularly in developing countries.

In Rwanda, the ILO has focused on digital jobs for youth, empowering them with necessary skills to thrive in the digital economy. As noted in the ILO’s regional updates, initiatives to train young people in coding, data analysis, and digital entrepreneurship have opened up significant job opportunities, particularly in the growing tech sector.

In Tanzania, the ILO’s work on improving employability through the Skills Development Project continues to focus on equipping young people, especially in rural areas, with vocational and technical skills. These efforts are crucial in combating youth unemployment and addressing the skills gap in key sectors such as agriculture, mining, and renewable energy.

Pillar 2: Rights at Work

The protection of workers' rights has remained central to ILO’s mission in the region. In 2024, the ILO continued to advocate for labour rights, particularly for vulnerable groups such as migrant workers, informal sector workers, and those in precarious employment.

In Kenya, labour law reforms have been a key area of focus, with ILO's involvement in policy discussions to improve workers' rights, including the right to organize and collective bargaining. According to ILO reports, these reforms have resulted in improvements in working conditions in sectors such as agriculture, construction, and services.

In Tanzania, the ILO has been actively involved in improving labour rights through the RBSA on Care Economy project, which has advocated for better wages, benefits, and working conditions for care workers—predominantly women. Additionally, the Kigoma Joint Project has addressed the rights of refugees and host communities, ensuring that displaced people and those in remote areas have access to safe working environments and labour protections.

The ILO’s work in Burundi has also contributed to ensuring that workers’ rights are respected, especially in the context of post-conflict recovery. Strengthening labour rights and improving the working conditions of workers in key industries such as agriculture has been an important part of rebuilding the country’s economy.

Pillar 3: Social Protection

Social protection plays a critical role in safeguarding the well-being of workers, particularly those in vulnerable sectors. In 2024, the ILO worked closely with governments in the region to expand social protection coverage to informal workers and those affected by the economic impact of COVID-19 and climate change.

In Uganda, the ILO’s social protection initiatives focused on improving access to social security and healthcare for workers in informal sectors. The ILO website highlights the successful Social Protection Floors Recommendation as a key milestone in the country’s efforts to provide universal social protection, ensuring that the most vulnerable are covered.

In Kenya, efforts to enhance social protection systems have focused on pension coverage, healthcare, and unemployment benefits. ILO’s collaboration with Kenya’s Ministry of Labour has been pivotal in advancing the country’s social protection floor, ensuring that the most vulnerable workers are not left behind.

In Tanzania, social protection efforts have been bolstered by the expansion of health insurance schemes for informal sector workers and the integration of social security systems for marginalized groups. The ILO’s involvement in digitizing social protection in rural areas has also been a key development, ensuring that workers in remote communities have easier access to these essential services.

Pillar 4: Social Dialogue

Social dialogue remains a cornerstone of decent work. In 2024, the ILO has continued to strengthen social dialogue mechanisms to promote more inclusive and transparent labour market policies across the region.

In Rwanda, the ILO has facilitated dialogue between workers, employers, and the government to improve labour market policies, especially in the burgeoning digital and technology sectors. The importance of tripartite cooperation between trade unions, employers’ organizations, and the government has been highlighted in the ILO’s work to enhance labour rights and improve labour conditions.

The ILO’s work in Kenya has further reinforced the importance of social dialogue to advance fair working conditions, particularly for migrant and seasonal workers. Public-private partnerships have played a significant role in developing and implementing policies that ensure decent work in key industries, such as agriculture, construction, and hospitality.

In Uganda, the ILO has supported trade unions and employer organizations in improving labour relations and enhancing the industrial relations framework. The ILO’s guidance on conflict resolution and workplace negotiations has helped foster stronger cooperation between labour unions and employers, creating a more harmonious working environment.

The Global Coalition on Social Justice

As we look ahead to 2025, the ILO’s work is closely aligned with the Global Coalition on Social Justice, which advocates for fair and just labour market policies at both national and international levels. By focusing on inclusive development, labour rights, and social justice, the Coalition’s efforts resonate across our countries, as we work towards a world of work that leaves no one behind.

The Coalition encourages cooperation between governments, employers, workers, and civil society, strengthening policies that promote decent work and human rights for all. This year, we have seen tangible results, with improvements in labour laws, social protection systems, and employment creation that will contribute to more resilient economies in East Africa.

Looking Forward to 2025

In closing, I would like to express my deepest appreciation for the ongoing partnerships and efforts that have made our successes in 2024 possible. We are committed to continuing our work in employment creation, social protection, labour rights, and social dialogue, ensuring that the foundations we’ve built in 2024 pave the way for a more inclusive and prosperous future for all workers in Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.

I extend my best wishes to all for a peaceful and joyful festive season. Together, we will continue to work towards a fair, inclusive, and just world of work for everyone.