The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] joins millions of young people and young workers across the world in observing International Youth Day.
In observing this day, NEHAWU joins our militant, class-orientated Trade Union International – Public Service and Allied (TUI – PS&A) in saluting all young workers and young people who continue to wage a relentless struggle against the barbaric and exploitative system of capitalism. Hence we join the clarion call of TUI – PS&A: “Youth to the Front! Building Class Orientated Trade Unions”.
The observance takes place against the backdrop of a deepening global capitalist crisis which has created challenges for young workers and young people across the world. Capitalism has caused unprecedented destruction of livelihoods of millions of young people and young workers. It’s young people that have had to bear the brunt of being unemployed, precarious work, casualisation, and outsourcing. The capitalist system has been unable to respond to the satisfaction of young people.
The system of capitalism continues to place profits before the needs of humanity. Millions of young people are denied access to quality education, healthcare, housing and decent livelihoods, while resources are directed towards imperialist wars, militarisation and the accumulation of profit.
As NEHAWU, we join millions of young who continue to call for an end to wars, occupations and imperialist aggression and demand that resources be directed towards universal access to quality public education, skills development and lifelong learning. Young people must be equipped to participate meaningfully in economic and social development.
As we observe International Youth Day, we must emphasise that the struggles of young people must be linked to the broader struggles of the working class. Young people cannot be mobilised only around issues of unemployment and education while ignoring the broader capitalist system that reproduces exploitation, inequality and poverty. The youth struggles must therefore be connected to the everyday struggles confronting workers and working-class communities. The struggles against privatisation, austerity, attacks on collective bargaining and the rights of workers, unemployment, inequality and poverty.
Lastly, the union reaffirms its unwavering support, solidarity and commitment to the struggles of young people and young workers across the world. It is for these reasons that we must intensify our campaigns for the development of young people and young workers, decent work, quality education, social protection and wage a relentless struggle against the barbaric system of capitalism. The struggles of young people and young workers are an integral part of the broader struggle of the working class against capitalism.
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Issued by NEHAWU Secretariat.
Zola Saphetha (General Secretary) at 082 558 5968; Welcome Mnisi (1st Deputy General Secretary) at 082 455 2897; Baxolise Mali (2nd Deputy General Secretary) at 066 305 0591 or Lwazi Nkolonzi (NEHAWU National Spokesperson) at 081 558 2335 or email: lwazin@nehawu.org.za