Workers must unite on wages

ALLOW me to congratulate the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) on a successful rally held at Kwazakhele stadium on Workers Day (May Day).

Cosatu, as the biggest federation in South Africa, should shift its focus and put more effort into workers’ demands than ever, such as minimum wages, high rate of unemployment, exploitation of farm workers etc.

This could resuscitate the spirit of workers to come back to Cosatu in huge numbers, before the rival South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) opportunistically takes over the struggle of workers. I believe the recent march organised by Saftu on the minimum wage was honest enough in fighting against capital monopoly, not testing its strength against Cosatu.

Capitalists look at all opportunities to divide the working class for their own benefit and to exploit the workers.

On the minimum wage, Saftu should create a platform to debate the matter with all union federations without grandstanding, and stop putting the blame on individuals.

We are aware that a tremendous amount of revolutionary energy has accumulated among workers. But it should not be dissipated in scattered engagements and clashes with no coherence or definite plan. All efforts ought to be made to concentrate the bitterness and anger of the working class into a common goal of unity, to make them feel they are not isolated.

If Saftu’s mission is to get rid of Cosatu affiliates, it will lose ideological content and perish within a short time.

Workers should not shy away from the revolutionary zeal of the working-class philosopher Karl Marx, who said “workers of the world must unite”. I urge the unity of the working class and poor for a better life for all.

Thabang Maseko, secretary, Mzala Nxumalo SACP branch