During the World Labour Law Congress of the International Society for Labour and Security Law in September 2015 concerns were expressed as to the absence of a wider African voice. After an inaugural workshop in July 2016, and with the backing of the International Labour Organisation, law firms ENSafrica and Bowman Gilfillan, and other organisations such as Juta Law and Lex Africa, the African Labour Society was started in early 2017. The Society now has 180 members from 21 different African countries. The Society is affiliated to the ISLSSL which is situated in Geneva and that is supported by the ILO. The ALLS resolved that the idea of a wider voice of African Labour scholars should be taken forward. The Constitution of the Society was finalised at the 2nd AGM in September 2018.