Sudan without Salaries: A Crushing Living Crisis, ILO Sounds the Alarm

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Sudan has been grappling with a severe economic crisis since the onset of the conflict. From violations and sexual violence against women and children to the recent salary crisis, these challenges have acutely affected various sectors.

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Since the outbreak of fighting, banks in the capital, Khartoum, have closed their doors. Among the hardest-hit groups are port workers, who face prolonged delays in salary payments and financial instability, leading to severe social consequences in their daily lives.

In this context, workers are striving to voice their concerns and demands to the international community, hoping for a fair resolution to their crisis.

Amid this situation, the International Labour Organization (ILO) issued a memorandum, citing reports from unions affiliated with the Sudanese Trade Union Front, announcing that the Sudanese government has ceased paying salaries to state employees and retirees. Additionally, numerous private sector companies have arbitrarily dismissed their employees without compensation.

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The ILO deemed this approach by the Sudanese government and certain major companies a blatant disregard for its obligations to international labor standards, where the right of workers to fair wages is a fundamental principle.

It also described the situation as a clear violation of international labor laws, particularly Convention No. 95 of 1949 on wage protection and Convention No. 173 of 1992 on the protection of workers’ claims in the event of employer insolvency.

The ILO stressed that workers’ right to wages is safeguarded by Convention No. 173. Salaries cannot be seized or relinquished except in cases prescribed by law. Furthermore, Article 10 of Convention No. 95 ensures that workers’ wages cannot be garnished beyond what is necessary for the sustenance of the worker and their family.

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Financial Crisis and Impact on Port Workers

Due to prolonged delays in salary payments, Sudanese port workers face an unprecedented crisis. They are unable to meet basic needs, such as food, housing, and education for their children. Moreover, low wages amidst rampant inflation make the situation even more challenging, as salaries no longer suffice to keep up with the continuous rise in prices.

Many workers can no longer afford transportation costs to reach their workplaces. Some have been forced to take on additional, low-paying jobs to cover their expenses, exacerbating their hardships and affecting their work efficiency.

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Social Impact of the Crisis

The repercussions of the crisis extend beyond the economic domain, significantly affecting the social lives of workers and their families. Financial pressures have led to an increase in divorce rates, while mental health issues have surged among workers who live in constant anxiety due to the lack of stable income.

Children have also been profoundly affected. Some families have been forced to withdraw their children from school, unable to afford tuition fees, threatening the future of an entire generation.

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Workers’ Protests and Demands

In response to these dire conditions, workers have resorted to strikes and protests, demanding their fundamental rights, including timely payment of salaries, wage adjustments to match inflation, and the provision of a safe and stable working environment.

Despite their peaceful efforts to present their demands, authorities’ responses have remained limited, with no tangible measures taken to address the crisis. This has deepened workers’ frustration and sense of marginalization.

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Amplifying Workers’ Voices Internationally

Given the lack of adequate response from Sudanese authorities, workers aim to bring their plight to the international stage by engaging human rights organizations and global media. They seek to pressure the Sudanese government to find urgent solutions to their crisis and hope to attract the attention of international institutions that could help improve their conditions.

The crisis facing Sudanese port workers is part of the broader economic turmoil plaguing the country. However, it highlights the suffering of a vital group on which the transport and trade sectors heavily rely. Ignoring their demands will only exacerbate the worsening economic and social conditions, necessitating an urgent response from the government and international community to ensure their rights and secure their future and that of their families.

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