Cosatu celebrates Worker’s Day with rally in Ermelo

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) in Mpumalanga held their annual May Day celebrations in front of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform’s district offices on Tuesday, 1 May.

The streets of Ermelo came to a standstill as members of the different unions under the Cosatu umbrella marched from the Mpumalanga Stadium in Wesselton to the offices.

The speakers of the day ranged from the union’s provincial leadership, including the Cosatu deputy general secretary, Mr Solly Phetoe, leaders of unions from different sectors and the South African Communist Party’s deputy general secretary, Mr Solly Mapaila.

Members of Parliament were also in attendance, with the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, and the Minister of Higher Education, Ms Naledi Pandor, on the stage.

The theme throughout the day was workers’ rights and the fight for land.

Union leaders in the province spoke with one accord on the subject of minimum wages, arguing that while the figure of R3 500 was a clear rejection of the figure of R2 000 that was first proposed by Government and big businesses, it still fell short of the federation’s initial proposed figure of R4 500.

Mr Mapaila extended a message of support on behalf of his party to the union, reiterating their stance on the issue of land.

Ms Nkoana-Mashabane also addressed the crowd and spoke from a woman’s point of view.

“Women should know their rights and not be subjected to unfavourable conditions in the workplace,” she said.

Mr Phetoe welcomed new unions that have joined the Cosatu umbrella and wished them well as they join their fight for equal rights for workers in the country.

The celebrations were capped off with members of the federation singing party songs with the leaders.

Look at more photos here.