Africa needs appropriate development policies in order to create decent work and put an end to poverty, President Jacob Zuma said on Tuesday.

"We need a co-ordinated effort to make this a priority," he said in opening the International Labour Organisation's 12th Africa regional meeting.

"The most effective weapon in campaigning against poverty is through the creation of decent work."

The gathering, which ends on Friday, is taking place at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, under the theme "Empowering Africa's People with Decent Work".

Zuma said decent work in Africa might seem like a pipedream, given the history of neo-colonialisim and forced labour.

However, the continent was charting a new path of development and progress, he said.

"African workers should not be left behind."

Unemployment, poverty and inequality were some of "the most pressing issues" that needed to be tackled, said Zuma.

He said the "decent work" agenda could not ignore the widespread poverty characterised in the economy.

The gathering aims to find solutions on how to create a labour market conducive to investment and economic growth in Africa that will result in the creation of jobs for African people.

Delegates include Labour Ministers from around the continent, led by South Africa's Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant.