• Africa's labor laws were created to protect workers.globe displaying africa and europe image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com
  
  Across the African continent, legislation on labor has been created to regulate the workplace and protect worker's rights. Due to a history of colonialism, many of these laws have their roots in European common law. Yet, Africa's labor laws have been tailored to address the realities of specific countries, from bans on the employment of children to bans on forced labor or slavery.
  
  

Kenya

• Kenyan workers are protected by the Work Injury Benefits Act.construction worker,carpenter image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
  
  A former British colony, Kenya's labor laws are influenced by English contract law. The Labour Relations Act prohibits discrimination against an employee or an individual seeking employment. It also provides guidelines for the creation of unions in Section 12.
  
  Child labor and forced slavery is banned by the Children Act and the Employment Act, which in Section 56, specifies that children under the age of 13 cannot work. The Employment Act also dictates the amount of annual leave afforded employees, requires three months of paid maternity leave and guarantees sick leave. The Work Injury Benefits Act aims to protect employees from on-the-job accidents and their consequences by requiring all employers to be insured and prepared to pay compensation to staff made disabled or killed due to their employment.
  
  

Nigeria

• In Nigeria, the Labour Law protects workers.chantier image by victor cossy from Fotolia.com
  
  Nigeria's Labour Law requires that an employer create an employment contract that guides the relationship with employees. Corporations must have a staff handbook that provides details on wages, work hours, vacations and much more. Employers cannot prevent workers from forming or joining a union, and maternity leave can begin six weeks before the birth of a child and last until six weeks afterward. The mother will receive only half of her usual pay.
  
  Under the Factories Act, every factory must be registered with the director of factories, remain sanitary and not be overcrowded. The Workmen's Compensation Act guarantees compensation for those injured during the course of employment. If an employee dies on the job, his dependents will receive 42 months worth of his pay.
  
  

South Africa

• The Occupational Health and Safety Act protects South Africans.bricklayer,mason image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
  
  The Department of Labour is charged with regulating the relationship between employers and employees in South Africa. It enacts legislation such as the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), which aims to protect employees on the job. Although OHSA is a labor law, it does not apply to miners and those who work in fisheries.
  
  Another South African labor law is the Employment Equity Act which promotes equal opportunities for disadvantaged groups. The law also requires employers to reduce any wage gaps among employees and forbids discrimination in the workplace. The Labour Relations Act deals with unions and allows bargaining councils to resolve labor disputes and conclude labor contracts.
  
  

Ghana

• The rights of Ghanaian workers are overseen by the National Labour Commission.ghana flag button image by Andrey Zyk from Fotolia.com
  
  Ghana's Labour Act is enforced by the National Labour Commission. It stipulates that employees get paid annual leave and that the maximum number of work hours are eight per day or 40 per week. Regarding the disabled, the law also provides for the creation of incentives to employers that hire disabled workers and to disabled individuals who start their own businesses. The law also prohibits anyone from being forced to work and requires government officials to inspect workplaces to ensure they are safe.