Brussels, 26 May 2008: The ITUC, through its African Regional Organisation ITUC-AF, has called upon President Thabo Mbeki to take action to end xenophobic violence against migrants in South Africa. In a letter to President Mbeki on Friday, ITUC-AF General Secretary Kwasi Adu-Amankwah referred to the solidarity of African workers with their South African counterparts during the dark era of apartheid and stressed the need for "well thought out and clear policies to effectively integrate migrant workers in the South African communities".

"We are outraged that the lives and properties of tens of thousands of innocent migrant workers and their families are subject to hatred and violent attacks. All efforts are needed to maintain peace in South Africa and to create an enabling environment for a real social integration of the migrant workers in the South African communities", said Adu-Amankwah.

South African trade unions have been at the forefront of efforts to tackle the crisis, with ITUC-affiliated Congress of South African Trade Unions organising public mobilisations against xenophobia and calling for action on the root causes of poverty, unemployment and lack of housing rather than placing the blame on migrant workers.

The ITUC represents 168 million workers in 155 countries and territories and has 311 national affiliates.

For more information, please contact the ITUC Press Department on: +32 2 224 0204 or +32 476 621 018.