Malema says EFF to create own union

EFF leader Julius Malema has made clear his party’s intention to create its own labour union.

He announced the move when he addressed a May Day rally in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, on Sunday.

An EFF union was inevitable, Malema said, adding that the party’s “extremely busy” labour desk was doing good foundational work in preparation for such a union.

“That union will never sell out. That union will always be on the side of the workers,” Malema said.

“We are preparing to do a union, and not a Mickey Mouse union, that is in cahoots and in bed with the employer,” he said.

Malema said that the EFF had been helping workers irrespective of their political party affiliation.

Its labour desk is situated at the party’s headquarters and led by EFF MP Hlengiwe Mkhalipi, which allows for walk-ins by workers with issues.

“The labour desk of the EFF is doing very well. It is fighting battles day in and day out,” Malema said.

He said the party’s labour desk’s intervention was constantly being challenged in court due to it not being a union.

“You know what they’ve resorted to now? Every time the EFF goes to intervene, they take us to court and say we’re not a union. We are fighting whether we are a union or not. As long as a black person is exploited, we are going to fight against those who exploit black people,” Malema said.

The party’s intended labour union is expected to push the EFF’s policy position of insourcing workers, especially in municipalities and government departments.