The South African Federation of Trade Union (Saftu) acting president Nomvume Ralarala says they want more women in leadership positions. She argues that women have been marginalised in the workplace.
Speaking during May Day celebrations in Lebowakgomo, Limpopo, Ralarala has decried the lack of more women in leadership positions as a scourge.
“For far too long women have been undermined. We are regarded as people who must be led by men, but we’re saying we must change that women too deserve to be in senior positions whether in government in workplaces so all the time women will be prioritised we’re coming today on this May Day to say let’s fight together and end that scourge.”
Saftu is commemorating May Day in Bloemfontein:
‘May Day slowly losing its meaning’
Members of the South African Federation of Trade Unions say May Day is slowly losing its meaning and it’s incumbent upon the union to revive the spirit of the day.
Members from across the Free State are marking the day for workers as well as five years of the union.
The rally is being held at the Petrus Molemela Indoor Sports Centre in Bloemfontein.
Saftu Spokesperson, Trevor Shaku says the difficult economic conditions created by the government are rendering workers even poorer.
“We are also raising issues around austerity. The budget cuts of government have led to the government department being unable to deliver quality services to our people who are constituting 70% of the population of this country. And those are workers and the poor people of this country. So, we are saying government must reverse its austerity cuts so that the departments can be able to hire more people, but more importantly, can ensure that they build adequate infrastructure, can procure more equipment that’s required to ensure that these departments perform up to standard.”
Picket outside ParliamentÂ
Saftu in the Western Cape has called on the government to create more jobs. Members have staged a picket outside Parliament as part of Workers Day celebrations.
Provincial Chairperson Siyabonga Yalwa says the unemployment figures are worrying. “76% is not a small number. Every day Stats SA is telling us that the unemployment rate is increasing. The government must get its house in order and make sure that the budget is efficient. Don’t cut jobs, create more employment. Create industries. There must be factories that must be opened. Salt River line is a factory line. Those factories are collapsing. Where is the government?”
