Right to a living wage

HUMAN Rights Day was officially declared a public holiday as a reminder of the tragic Sharpeville massacre and a celebration of our unique constitution, which gives equal rights to all who live in South Africa.

When considering the subject of human rights, it is also important to deepen one’s understanding of social justice, race relations, coexistence, democracy and the Bill of Rights.

Although we live in a technologically advanced age, unfortunately, many workers do not earn a living wage because of various factors like a lack of skills, poor standard of education and, in some instances, race and gender.

Even though a living wage is a human right, the wages actually paid to workers, especially in the lower income bracket, are not sufficient to even cover basic living costs.

Unfortunately, the basic needs of the worker and the worker’s family are not adequately taken into account.

Receiving a living wage is an important requirement for securing other human rights such as a life of dignity, access to water, food, electricity and even basic education for children.

Insufficient income subjects workers to exploitation and a cycle of poverty, debt and social ills.

On this Human Rights Day, we reaffirm the urgent need to eradicate economic inequality and strive to affirm the dignity of all who live here. Mohamed Saleed Pietermaritzburg