Deputy President Paul Mashatile has urged labour union leaders not to fear the Government of National Unity (GNU) formed after the May 2024 elections.
“Don’t be scared of the GNU. I know in the beginning there were many saying this GNU includes those who don’t have the interest of workers at heart, so we might see the reversal of the gains that workers have made over the years. But I said to them, don’t worry we’re there,” Mashatile said.
Mashatile explained that the GNU is made up of a collective in a Cabinet, appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“The Ministers are not allowed to come with their own policies. We agreed on the priorities and statements of intent. Yes, people can talk about their policies in their parties. But in government, we all work in terms of the priorities of government.
“We will make sure that the workers’ rights are protected, so don’t be scared. Workers’ rights will always be protected even in the GNU. Please sleep peacefully at night,” he assured the leaders.
The Deputy President was delivering a keynote address at the annual Nedlac Organised Labour School, held at Kievits Kroon in Pretoria, on Tuesday.
He stated that they have to ensure the achievements made over the past 30 years are preserved, and that they will continue to defend these accomplishments.
Mashatile highlighted the GNU's policy priority areas, which include growing an inclusive economy, reducing the cost of living, and building a capable, ethical, and developmental State.
“In realising these priority areas, we believe that we must continue to create a social compact with labour, business, and civil society, as we have done through NEDLAC [National Economic Development and Labour Council].”
The Nedlac Organised Labour School takes place every year to evaluate the current state of the labour market and the challenges that workers face in the country.
Delegations from various labour federations, guests from the International Labour Organisation, and representatives from government departments, filled the conference room.
The union leaders raised key points, including the defence of progressive policies, the importance of local government collaboration, and the challenges of funding and corruption.
This year, the country’s second-in-command, said government will host the National Dialogue aimed at drawing from lessons from the past, to shape the future beyond the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030.
According to the Deputy President, the National Dialogue will take place in a year when South Africa celebrates 70 years of the Freedom Charter, a statement of core principles that have and continue to shape policy in South Africa.
“The task of organised labour in this regard is to provide innovative solutions on how best to strengthen our economy, build social cohesion and improve governance systems, placing the needs of the workers at the forefront.”
He believes that the National Dialogue will shape the country’s outlook towards and beyond 2055, a year when the country will celebrate the centenary of the Freedom Charter.
“Our ultimate objective must be to realise a South Africa that belongs to all who live in it, Black and White, as envisaged in the Freedom Charter. Indeed, this is the only way that we can realise the country of our dreams as charged by those who gathered in 1955 in Kliptown.”
Nedlac is the vehicle by which government, labour, business, and community organisations seek to cooperate, through problem-solving and negotiation, on economic, labour, and development issues and related challenges facing the country.
The Deputy President defined the labour movement as the backbone of the nation, holding the power to drive South Africa’s economic transformation.
"Together, through collaboration and collective action, we can overcome the challenges of the 21st century and create a future of dignity, equality, and prosperity for all workers,” Mashatile said – SAnews.gov.za
