NEHAWU International Worker's Day Statement
Sunday May 01, 2022
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] joins millions of workers across the world in celebrating the International Worker’s Day.
In celebrating this historic international worker’s day, NEHAWU joins our militant, class-orientated international federation of trade unions, the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) in saluting all workers who continue to wage a relentless struggle against the barbaric and exploitative system of capitalism.
Hence we join the clarion call of WFTU: “United, we continue! For the satisfaction of our contemporary needs, against imperialist-capitalist barbarity”. Equally, May Day 2022 coincides with the WFTU 18th World Congress to be held in Rome on 6 - 8 May 2022. We say forward to the 18th Congress.
The occasion of Worker’s Day presents an opportunity for the toiling masses to reflect on the gains and achievements made by workers.
As NEHAWU, a fighting, militant and transformative union we are fully conscious of the challenges that are faced by workers which amongst others include; jobless, retrenchments, victimization at the workplace, budget cuts, wage freezes, unemployment, inequality and poverty. As such, this requires more than ever before that as workers, we stand united and wage a serious struggle.
Workers should use this year’s celebration to demand and fight for the defence of collective bargaining. Collective bargaining is currently under attack from employers and they have embarked on reversing the hard-won gains of workers and the rights of workers.
Equally workers should use worker’s day intensify the fight against job losses, casualization, agentification, privatization and retrenchments.
Workers should relentlessly fight the job blood bath that is currently taking place across all sectors of the economy that has led to South Africa being ranked the most unequal society in the world with high levels of poverty, extreme inequalities and an unemployment rate of 35.3%.
As workers, we should intensify our campaign for the creation of decent jobs, living wage in all sectors, implementation of National Health Insurance {NHI}, End to Austerity Measures, and demand improved service delivery for the working class.
Forward to International Worker’s Day
END
Issued by NEHAWU Secretariat
Zola Saphetha (General Secretary) at 082 558 5968;
December Mavuso (Deputy General Secretary) at 082 558 5969;
Lwazi Nkolonzi (NEHAWU National Spokesperson) at 081 558 2335 or email: lwazin@nehawu.org.za Visit https://www.nehawu.org.za