Worker’s Day celebrates the role played by Trade Unions, the Communist Party and other labour movements in the struggle against Apartheid.
May Day, as we know it, refers to various socialist and labour movement celebrations conducted on May 1 every year.
Former NUM general secretary Frans Baleni and Boksburg resident shared some light about what is Workers Day and its importance.
“Workers Day can be traced to the workers’ struggle in the USA and other developed countries in 1880s,” said Baleni.
“Workers day was informed by the struggles of workers demanding certain rights such as an eight-hour working day. May 1, was declared a holiday by workers in celebration of their achievements or milestones.”
“In South Africa, under the apartheid government, the ruling party then refused to recognise workers day, especially May Day, since it was associated with the socialist countries such as the USSR, Cuba, East Germany and others.”
“As workers under Cosatu, working with the UDF and underground structures of the liberation movement, we fought for May Day to the extent that we declared it our holiday. We were subjected to no work no pay and disciplinary action for this.
“We were very motivated and determined to secure this day. This holiday struggle resulted in many workers being dismissed and there are some who sacrificed their lives.”
- More to fight for
Baleni said it is painful to see some workers not commemorating this day when other workers fought for the liberation of workers.
“While workers celebrate many achievements post 1994 such as maternity and paternity leave, improved basic conditions of service, protection against unfair dismissal, leave pay, there is still more to fight for.
“South African workers must still fight and defeat inequality, gender-based remuneration, racism at the workplace, transformation and equal pay for a similar job.”
Baleni said unions are the only powerful weapons which can be utilised to stop unrest in workplaces.
“The unions in South Africa are getting more fragmented which causes a concern.
“When we started organising mineworkers, the NUM was the only union for black mine workers, today there are many unions. Cosatu had as one of its organising principle of ‘One Union, One Industry: One Federation, One Country’.
“The fragmentation of unions and labour federations can only serve the interests of employers and capital.”
“I urge all those involved in active union space to remember the call we made during the formation of Cosatu that the unity of workers is sacrosanct.”
“The unions must render quality service to members and not pursue leadership positions and personal interests.”
- Fourth industrial revolution
Baleni highlighted that unions have to be strategic and reposition themselves in the era of the fourth industrial revolution.
“The re-skilling of workers, women and youth employment must be a key area of focus; whereas government and the private sector have to come to the party on how best to address the high level of unemployment, the scourge of poverty and unacceptable inequalities.
“The unions and employers must find a way of contributing to the call made by the President of the country to stimulate the economy.”
“Much as there is a need for stability in the workplace, such stability does not necessarily eliminate the inherent permanent contradiction between workers and employers, however, it does serve the purpose of reducing the sharpness of this contradiction.”
“To the workers of this country I say, remember the founding rallying call of all times. Workers of the world unite. We have nothing to lose but our chains,” Baleni said.
