The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] joins millions of workers across the world in celebrating the World Federation of Trade Unions [WFTU] International Day marking the 76th Anniversary of our international class-oriented federation.
The World Federation of Trade Unions [WFTU] was established in Paris on 3 October 1945, and ever since its formation, it has at all material times been rooted in struggles of the working people of the world following the line of a militant class-oriented trade union movement in defence of workers and the working-class from the barbaric system of capitalist exploitation and oppression.
This year’s WFTU International Day is celebrated under different circumstance mainly due to the ongoing global health pandemic – coronavirus pandemic – which has brought about unparalleled devastation to the world especially to workers and this is evident with the job loss bloodbath with millions of workers having lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19. The coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated the global crisis of unemployment, high levels of inequality, and extreme poverty. This is as result of capitalism and its imperialist policy of neoliberal-globalisation.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the failures and weakness of the capitalist system especially its response to the pandemic and thereby confirming that it does not have any solutions to the challenges and workers and the working-class are left with no other choice than to fight for a systemic change that will bring about better conditions.
It is precisely on that basis that our international class-oriented trade union federation, WFTU, in marking its 76th Anniversary has themed the International Day on “Dignified Life for workers and the Peoples around the world” for it understands that the barbaric system of capitalist exploitation has not provided workers and the working-class a dignified life and this requires the class to venture into a struggle for a dignified life. As such, NEHAWU fully support the demands as set-out by WFTU in calling for a dignified life for workers and the peoples around the world.
These demands include amongst others:
· Public and free healthcare for all
· Improvement of the living standards of workers and pensioners
· Trade union and democratic freedoms
· Eradication of racism and discriminations
· Protection of the environment
· Workers’ solidarity
· All the Peoples have the right to decide on their own about their present and future
Lastly, we will work with WFTU to wage a relentless struggle in ensuring that these demands are achieved in order to guarantee a dignified life for workers and the peoples around the world.
As NEHAWU, we congratulate our international class-oriented trade union federation for this historic milestone of 76 Years.
Hope Lies in Our Struggles!!!
Long Live WFTU, Long Live
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 Acting National Spokesperson) at 081 558 2335 or email: lwazin@nehawu.org.za