South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
Workers across South Sudan joined the global observance of International Labour Day. Union leaders took this opportunity to emphasize the challenges faced by public servants and to advocate for urgent reforms in salary payments and working conditions.
Every year, May 1st is celebrated globally as International Labour Day. This day pays tribute to workers who toil tirelessly while promoting their rights. The theme for 2025 is “Safety and Health of Workers.”
In a media statement on Thursday, Agasio Akol Arop, Deputy Secretary General of the South Sudan Workers Trade Union Federation, extended his congratulations to workers nationwide and underscored the significance of the day.
“Why do we celebrate International Labour Day? The answer is simple: it is to recognize the achievements and contributions of workers despite the challenges they face. Their resilience and commitment in their various capacities deserve our utmost respect.”
Tracing the history of the global labor movement, Arop noted that the celebration originated from the 1886 labor protests in Chicago, which fought for the eight-hour workday. He emphasized that South Sudanese civil servants, in particular, deserve special recognition.
“Our civil servants should be honored for their commitment and resilience in delivering services under tough conditions,” he said. “Labour laws must be respected, and children must be protected from labor exploitation.”
Arop called for social security for all workers, including those in the private sector and NGOs, while pointing to inflation, low salaries, and the lack of minimum wage legislation as critical issues.
“There is low pay across the country due to inflation and the weakening of our local currency against the dollar. The current salaries are simply not enough for workers to cover basic needs or pay school fees,” he said. “Still, workers keep pushing forward with their lives, even when their salaries fall short.”
He urged unity among workers and encouraged collective bargaining to secure better working conditions.
“Let us use this Labour Day to remember our struggles and the successes of the labor movement,” Arop added. “Respect the laws of the country, and pray for peace and unity.”
Meanwhile, Autoneit Benjamin Buba, the Information Secretary of the South Sudan Workers’ Trade Union Federation, praised the resilience of women during this economic crisis.
“There have been many achievements by women in these hard times. You’ll find women on the streets of Juba doing small businesses just to ensure their children can attend school,” Autoneit said.
Autoneit criticized the delay in salary payments, pointing out that some states have not received salaries since the beginning of the year.
“The salaries are too small while market prices are very high. I call on the government to increase civil servant wages and implement the plan to pay salaries on the 24th of every month, as proposed by the Vice President and the Chairperson of the Economic Cluster.”
Autoneit expressed hope that revenues from the petroleum sector would soon be used to ensure regular monthly salaries.
“Happy International Labour Day to all workers; we pray that things improve and civil servants begin receiving timely payments again, just like before.”
In the late 1800s, it was common for most industrial workers to work 12-hour days, seven days a week. Working conditions were often dangerous and dirty, with deadly accidents being common. In many countries, children as young as five or six worked in mines, mills, and factories. Trade unions emerged as a way for workers to unite and protest unsafe conditions, long hours, and low pay. Workers around the world were inspired by Australian stonemasons, who called a strike in 1856 and won the right to an eight-hour day. Hoping for similar success, trade unionists in Chicago called for a general strike and demonstration in May 1886.
On May 1, 1890, trade unionists and supporters demonstrated in Europe, the United States, and South America to commemorate the anniversary of the Haymarket affair and demand reform. In the years that followed, May Day became a day to honor workers throughout most of the world. Exceptions include Canada and the United States, which celebrate Labour Day on the first Monday in September, and New Zealand, where the observance falls on the fourth Monday in October.
