Opinion | April 30, 2026
As official celebrations of International Workers’ Day take place, thousands of public employees face delayed salaries and the absence of basic living necessities—raising pressing questions about social justice and the credibility of honoring workers amid a deepening livelihood crisis.
By William Sunday D. Tor
As the Government of South Sudan prepares to mark International Workers’ Day on May 1, a profound contradiction emerges between official rhetoric and the lived reality of thousands of public servants. While slogans praise the role of workers in nation-building, stability, and development, many endure extremely harsh conditions due to prolonged delays in salary payments—stretching for months, and in some cases, years.
According to a report by Eye Radio, the Minister of Labor and Public Service, Hon. Anthony Lino Makana, has announced that South Sudan will host its inaugural national celebration of International Workers’ Day on May 1, 2026. The event, to be held at Juba National Stadium under the theme “Empowering Workers, Developing South Sudan,” is expected to bring together government officials, trade unions, and international partners.
Yet, for many workers who remain unpaid for extended periods, this ambitious theme stands in stark contrast to their daily reality—raising deeper concerns about whether empowerment can be proclaimed without first ensuring economic justice.This stark contradiction raises a fundamental question: how can workers be celebrated while they are deprived of their wages? And how can an official celebration reflect genuine appreciation when workers themselves cannot provide basic needs such as food, healthcare, and education for their children?The crisis of delayed salaries cannot be reduced to a mere administrative or financial lapse; it strikes at the core of social justice and human rights.
Wages are not a privilege or favor—they are a legal and moral right earned through labor.This right is clearly enshrined in international legal frameworks. Article 23(3) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms that every worker has the right to just and favorable remuneration ensuring a life of dignity. Articles 7 and 8 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights further guarantee fair working conditions, equitable wages, the right to form and join trade unions, and the right to strike as a legitimate means of defending workers’ rights.
These protections are reinforced by conventions of the International Labour Organization, particularly Conventions No. 87 and No. 98, which safeguard freedom of association and protect workers from discrimination or punishment for engaging in trade union activities or peaceful strikes.At the regional level, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights guarantees the right to work under fair and satisfactory conditions, as well as freedom of association—strengthening workers’ ability to defend their interests within the African Union human rights framework.At the national level, the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011 and the Labour Act, 2017 establish a clear legal basis for fair wages, trade union rights, and lawful strike action.
Yet, the gap between legal provisions and actual practice remains wide and deeply troubling.Beyond legal frameworks, moral and religious teachings also strongly affirm the justice of timely wage payment. The Bible states: “Pay them their wages each day before sunset” (Deuteronomy 24:15), establishing a clear link between work and prompt compensation. Likewise, James 5:4 warns against withholding workers’ wages, emphasizing that such injustice “cries out” and stands condemned morally and spiritually.
In light of these realities, celebrating Labour Day without addressing the root causes of the crisis risks becoming a symbolic gesture rather than a genuine act of recognition. For many workers, it may even appear as a disconnect from their daily suffering.Honoring workers is not achieved through speeches or ceremonies, but through policies that ensure a dignified life, regular wages, protected labour rights, and a fair working environment.
If the celebration is to carry real meaning, urgent and concrete steps must precede it:First, the immediate settlement of all outstanding salary arrears for public servants, or at the very least, the announcement and implementation of a clear and binding payment timeline before Labour Day.Second, a comprehensive review of the wage structure to reflect the rising cost of living and ensure a minimum standard of human dignity for workers and their families.Third, full protection of trade union freedoms, including the right to organize, engage in collective bargaining, and undertake peaceful strike action without fear of punishment or retaliation.
Fourth, the establishment of an independent and transparent mechanism to monitor salary payments and enforce labour laws, ensuring accountability and reducing corruption and mismanagement.Fifth, the initiation of a genuine national dialogue between the government, trade unions, and civil society organizations to address the wage crisis sustainably.
Finally, Labour Day should be redefined as a moment of accountability and measurable progress—not merely a ceremonial event detached from reality.Ultimately, the success of any Labour Day celebration will not be measured by attendance or speeches, but by whether workers can live with dignity, receive their wages on time, and exercise their rights without fear.
William Sunday D. Tor is Human Rights activist, and former Chairperson for Justice and Peace Committee in Sts. Peter & Paul Parish, Catholic Archdiocese of Khartoum, and currently a Lecturer in Security Studies and International Development and Regional Planning at Starford International University, Juba. He can be reached at: williamtor2011@gmail.com.
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