Thousands of workers at the metal and mining industry, including the platinum belt in Rustenburg in the North West, affiliated to Amcu, have snubbed Tuesday’s Workers Day celebrations.
Union President, Joseph Mathunjwa says the May Day, only symbolises the struggle of workers from other countries.
Mathunjwa is proposing that the day be moved to 16 August.
He says, the 16 August has more significance for the struggle of the working class, as 34 Lonmin mine-workers were shot and killed by police during a protracted strike over wage increment.
Mathunjwa says they have already approached President Cyril Ramaphosa but nothing has materialised.
“Indeed we are not celebrating. May Day is informed by occurances of other countries around the world. So we feel strong that 16 August must be the workers day for the working class in South Africa, not just for Amcu but for the working class,” Mathunjwa says.
As you know there was the Lonmin massacre in 16 August 2012, which talks directly to our struggle, our struggle should be our history. We have been making the call to the state that, this day must be treated as workers day. We have extended an olive branch to the state president Cyril Ramaphosa to say Amcu is willing to engage but he has not done anything.”
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