Ramaphosa to address Cosatu’s Workers’ Day celebrations

ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address Cosatu’s Workers’ Day celebrations at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg in the North West later on Sunday morning. He will share the stage with the labour federation’s President Zingiswa Losi and the SACP General-Secretary Dr Blade Nzimande.
Workers’ Day also known as International Labour Day, is celebrated on May the 1st every year in most countries, including South Africa.  

Following the first democratic elections in South Africa in 1994, May the 1st was declared a public holiday.  

Cosatu has vowed to use this year May Day celebrations to recommit to fight against inhumane working conditions.  

With unemployment at almost 40%, the federation’s President Zingiswa Losi says they will intensify their fight against slave wage.  

She will share the stage with President Ramaphosa later this morning.  

Other ANC heavyweights are deployed in different provinces with the party’s second in command David Mabuza billed to address the Eastern Cape event while his National Chair Gwede Mantashe is deployed in the Western Cape celebrations.  

As the world marks International Workers ‘ Day today, concerns are being raised that over 70% of workers in South Africa do not belong to any trade union. However, some labour experts have blamed unions for not being more active in recruiting new members in the industries that they organise in.  

Unions also say some employers are reluctant to let employees join unions.  

Unions cite many reasons for workers not belonging to unions.  

Cosatu North West Secretary, Kopano Konopi, “There is still victimisation in a number of sectors when a worker joins a trade union, employers are not hesitant to fire employees who are members of a trade union and the workers are still fearful of a trade union. They think a trade union are against them but as a trade union, we are there to help and bring a labour peace in a work place.” 

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) in the Western Cape says it will picket outside Parliament today. It says the aim of the picket is to highlight its concerns about the country’s rising unemployment.  

The day, which is observed internationally, celebrates the achievements of workers. 

Saftu National Spokesperson, Trevor Shaku, “In the Western Cape, there will be a picket at the National Assembly to raise issues around unemployment, around wage cuts, wage freezes and what we consider an onslaught against in particular in this country. Budget cuts have serious effects on the ability of government to deliver.” 

Workers’ Day celebrations: