Abstract

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has adopted a very ambitious plan of advocating for decent work for all, which will facilitate protection for the vulnerable in society and alleviate poverty. The Decent Work Agenda essentially recognizes that labor law can regulate the market as it assists in accelerating the alleviation of poverty through provision of jobs and income security, social security, and the protection of fundamental rights. Using the ILO Decent Work Agenda of core labor standards and the basic social protection floor of universal access to healthcare, basic social security, and income security as proxies, this chapter reviews current policies and regulatory frameworks of labor and social law developments in selected African countries. The chapter suggests solutions to challenges to the attainment of the Decent Work Agenda and social protection for all and how best these can be addressed toward the implementation of a Decent Work Agenda. It undertakes an examination of the varied developments of labor legislation, relevant jurisprudence, and labor market institutions to determine the direction of labor market regulation as a tool in guiding the broad objectives of adequate social security, job creation, and training in Africa.