By Johnathan Paoli
The SA Communist Party has declared its full support for the Congress of SA Trade Unions as it fights for workers’ rights and an end to systemic exploitation.
The federation held protests throughout the country on Monday as the globe marked World Day for Decent Work.
The national strike has been framed by SACP national spokesperson Alex Mashilo as a crucial battle against the neo-liberal policies that he argues have left millions of workers in dire conditions.
“This strike is not just a protest, it is a war cry against the relentless exploitation of workers and the tyranny of capital and its neo-liberal economic and workplace restructuring and policy agenda,” Mashilo said in statement.
He emphasised that while corporate leaders continued to prosper, many workers and their families suffered from poverty, unemployment and starvation wages.
Mashilo said the declaration of solidarity coincided with the 79th anniversary of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), highlighting a global struggle for workers’ rights.
The party laid out several demands aligned with the WFTU’s theme: “We Demand Dignified Working and Living Conditions.”
They include significant wage increases and stable, secure jobs that respect workers’ rights, decent working hours that allow for a life outside of labour, and health and safety standards in all workplaces to ensure worker safety.
In addition, the party wants a comprehensive public healthcare system that includes the immediate implementation of National Health Insurance, as well as universal access to education and social security.
Speaking at the party’s Red October campaign in Emalahleni on Sunday, SACP general secretary Solly Mapaila outlined the party’s stance against the growing influence of certain parties within the Government of National Unity in undermining the transformation agenda.
He accused the Democratic Alliance of not only interfering in the politics of the Tripartite Alliance, but also actively seeking to reverse the gains for workers made so far.
“We allowed forces like DA Federal Council chair Helen Zille to interfere in the ANC affairs, insult our comrades and dictate the president’s decisions. The GNU is a classist alliance, not a social cohesion alliance,” Mapaila said.
As workers across the country took to the streets, the outcome of Monday’s mass action remains to be seen, with many anticipating that this mobilisation could significantly impact the ongoing discourse around labour rights and economic equity in the country.
The support of the SACP and the increasing tension surrounding what some have called a policy shift as a result of the GNU, could possibly spell trouble within the alliance.
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