Pretoria- As South Africans mark Workers’ Day today government has thanked workers for their contribution to the country’s economy while it also called for peaceful resolution to disputes.
In its Workers Day message on Wednesday, government expressed appreciation to all workers for contributing to the development of the country’s economy while also adding that the freedom of rights as citizens and rights as workers in South Africa should be celebrated.
“South African workers, trade unions and other progressive movements fought so that we all can benefit from a free society which together with government is continually changing the lives of our people for the better.
"Freedom also comes with rights and responsibilities and government calls on all workers to engage employers in any dispute in an amicable manner and refrain from violent protests,” said acting Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) CEO Phumla Williams.
Williams urged that all protests should be conducted within the confines of the law.
Government called on workers to continue to strive to bring remembrance of the historical struggle to achieve fair employment conditions. Reformed laws have opened the way for improvements in working conditions, for example in health and safety in the workplace and in wage related matters.
While commemorating the day, the country should strive to address challenges in employment as well as implement the vision of the National Development Plan (NDP) amongst other key government policies.
The NDP aims to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality, which is achievable by raising levels of employment and, through productivity growth, the earnings of working people among others.
“Government calls on all South Africans to work together to uphold and recognise the rights of workers on this Workers’ Day and also calls on workers to recognise and take their rightful place in developing an economically viable South Africa,” said Williams.
Across the country, various rallies are being held to commemorate the day with ANC President Jacob Zuma expected to address a Northern Cape rally.-SAnews.gov.za
