By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) called on its members to unite to fight against capitalist exploitation, poverty wages and growing inequality.
“We are celebrating international Workers’ Day against the background of a deepening crisis of capitalism which has resulted in a global crisis of unemployment, high levels of inequality, and extreme poverty. Workers and the working class have had to endure the miseries, pains and suffocation brought about by this barbaric and inhumane system of capitalism,” a statement from Nehawu read.
Numsa is blaming the ANC government for creating the most unequal society in the world.
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) said that more than two decades of ANC rule has “created the most unequal society in the world, with extremely high levels of poverty and unemployment”.
“We can characterise the last 29 years of the ANC government as ’29 wasted years’ because after they were given an overwhelming mandate by the working class in 1994 through the elections, they have wasted all this time entrenching the power of the capitalist elite, instead of dismantling the colonial and apartheid structure of the economy,” it said in a statement.
“We are celebrating the national Workers’ Day against the background of a deepening crisis of capitalism which has resulted in a global crisis of unemployment, high levels of inequality and extreme poverty.”
The IFP has warns the SABC to stay politically neutral especially with the 2024 general election looming.
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) wants an investigation into the decision of the SABC to withdraw its crew from its Workers’ Day rally.
“The IFP’s leadership was stunned this morning to learn that an SABC broadcast crew was pulled by the SABC from IFP Workers’ Day activities, after it had already arrived at the location, shortly before IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa arrived,” party spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said in a statement.
Moshoeshoe Monare, SABC’s group executive for news and current affairs, said there was no editorial interference with regard to coverage of the IFP event.
“The decision was made by editors at their diary meeting this morning. We have since communicated to the leadership of the IFP regarding the rationale behind that editorial decision,” Monare said.
The IFP, however, maintains the SABC’s move was interference at the highest level.
DA says there are millions still without jobs, struggling in poverty.
DA leader John Steenhuisen says there is not much to celebrate on Workers’ Day when millions of South Africans cannot find a job.
“How can we celebrate when youth unemployment stands at 56%? How can we celebrate when workers come by with less and less of their wages because food prices have gone up by 14% and electricity by 19% in the last year?” he asked.
“The thing we can celebrate however is that we live and aid democracy. In the 2024 national election, we can displace this job-destroying ANC government and replace it with a job-creating DA-led moonshot pact government. Our top priority is to lift people into jobs and opportunity. It is the quickest way out of poverty and the surest way to build a better future.”
SA In dire need of strategies and policies
The FW de Klerk Foundation, also in a statement, said the country was in dire need of strategies and policies to promote an environment conducive to investment and economic growth.
This would ultimately lead to job creation, the foundation said.
“Especially worrying. and often described as a ticking time bomb, is the high number of unemployed youths. According to StatsSA, youth aged between 15 and 24 and 25 to 34 years old recorded the highest unemployment rates of 61% and 39.9% in Q4:22 respectively.”
Fight for better working conditions
Parliament’s Presiding Officers have joined millions of workers around the world in celebrating the victories gained in the fight for better working conditions.
Since 1994, Workers’ Day in South Africa has been officially recognised as a celebration of workers’ rights, and a reminder of the critical role played by the country’s workforce in the struggle against apartheid.
Parliament has paid tribute to workers for the gallant struggles they waged against oppressive labour laws under colonial and apartheid systems of government.
Led by National Assembly Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Ngqakula and National Council of Provinces Chairperson, Amos Masondo, the Presiding Officers of Parliament acknowledged that workers are the backbone of the economy.
Over the years, Parliament has consolidated the rights of workers through a wide range of labour-related laws, which promote, strengthen, and protect workers’ rights.
“Key pieces of legislation such as the National Minimum Wage Bill, the Labour Laws Amendment Bill, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and the Labour Relations Act have all contributed to building a socially just labour system.”