Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions urges South Africa to address root causes of irregular migration and xenophobia
via NewsDay Zimbabwe6 min read
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions ZCTU has called on South Africa to be transparent with Zimbabwe regarding its political and economic direction, asserting that xenophobic attacks will persist unless both nations tackle the underlying issues driving irregular migration. Over a million Zimbabweans have migrated to South Africa seeking better economic opportunities. The ZCTU argues that lasting solutions require Harare and Pretoria to confront the economic and political conditions fueling migration and anti-immigrant sentiment, rather than merely managing the violence after it occurs. These remarks follow renewed xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in South Africa and growing concern for the safety of Zimbabwean migrants. ZCTU acting secretary-general Runesu Dzimiri stated that South Africa needs to complement law enforcement with an honest assessment of the conditions pushing people to migrate. He added that South Africa must be candid with Zimbabwe on its political and economic trajectory to seriously address irregular migration. Dzimiri noted that as long as Zimbabwe's economic challenges persist and employment opportunities remain scarce, citizens will continue to seek opportunities abroad, leaving them vulnerable to violence and discrimination. The ZCTU emphasized that diplomatic dialogue alone will not stop movements like Operation Dudula and March & March from harassing foreign nationals if economic and political fundamentals are not fixed in both host and
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by NewsDay Zimbabwe.
Must ReadXenophobic violence in key economic hubs, particularly South Africa, threatens Africa's economic growth and foreign direct investment. Despite a 75% surge in FDI to a record US$97 billion in 2024, recurring xenophobic incidents deter investment, disrupt intra-regional trade, and strain diplomatic ties. Migrant entrepreneurs are significant contributors to South Africa's economy, with International Labour Organization data indicating they contribute approximately 9% to the GDP, and over a third of international migrant enterprises employ South African citizens. The African Continental Free Trade Area AfCFTA, projected to increase intra-African trade by 45% by 2045, relies on the free movement of labor and safeguarding cross-border investments. The economic cost of instability is substantial, with research showing high-intensity conflicts can lead to a cumulative loss in per capita GDP of approximately 20% over five years. Xenophobic attacks in 2019 led to diplomatic tensions and operational disruptions for South African corporations like MTN, Multichoice, and Shoprite in Nigeria. The business community's silence on xenophobia is a misjudgment, as it represents a systemic business risk affecting supply chains, consumer markets, and investor confidence. Addressing xenophobic violence is crucial for sustained economic development and regional competitiveness, and for securing the "peace dividend" of social stability and productive investment. The success of the AfCFTA is linked t
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