COSATU has urged thousands of workers to join nationwide protests and other activities across the country on Friday to mark the World Day for Decent Work.
The labour federation it was calling on all workers to participate in the planned activities and exercise their right to demand that employers and policymakers respect labour laws and take seriously the calls for decent work.
COSATU spokesperson, SIzwe Pamla, said from its very founding the labour federation committed itself to organise and unite workers on the basis of improving their wages and raising their standard of living and making sure that they protect themselves from the insecurities of life.
“Recently, the South African government finding itself incapable of dealing with this ongoing capitalist crisis has resorted to increasing austerity measures,” said Pamla.
“This has seen cuts in public spending, leading to massive reduction in all aspects of social and economic benefits to the people, in wages, retirement benefits and pensions, health and education and social welfare transfers.”
Pamla added that “these draconian public service cuts in the public service wage bill have plunged this economy into meltdown and decimated the township and rural economy.”
“The numbers of people suffering from depression and mental illness have increased as a consequence of these attacks on working people’s livelihoods.”
“As more working people are attacked, through salary cuts, job losses and foreclosures, inequalities have widened. The increase in inequality means working families’ purchasing power is significantly diminished.”
COSATU added that the workers need to unite in defending jobs, fighting corruption, as well as the shortcomings of law enforcement agencies in fighting corruption and gender-based violence.
“We need to fearlessly express our determination to protect the integrity of collective bargaining, and to resist all attempts by employers to undermine it,” said Pamla.
“We will be using this coming National Action to demand a response to the memorandums that were submitted last month during our Socioeconomic strike on the economic crises. A strike remains a primary tool of exercising power that workers have at their disposal.”
He said COSATU is also demanding that this upcoming Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) show that government “is ready to abandon the ineffectual budget cuts and adopt a macroeconomic framework geared to address the basic needs of our people, transform the economy, strengthen the public service, and renew efforts to build a capable developmental state.
He said upcoming MTBPS must clearly provide a commitment on the Eskom dept in order to finally address the energy crises that continues to weaken the South African economy.
COSATU said South African workers built this country’s economy and they continue to keep its wheels turning.
“They deserve a decent living wage and working conditions,” said the federation in a media statement.
INSIDE POLITICS
