COSATU calls for decisive action from government to eliminate racism in the workplace
23 March 2016
The recent public discourse and the public acknowledgement of the existence of the demon of racism by the leaders in different layers of government ,and by the country’s political leadership has the full backing of COSATU. The federation is encouraged by the clarity of our government and the political leadership general , in acknowledging that racism is alive and regrettably thriving in our society and in the workplace.
While the struggle against racism will not be won overnight, the federation expects government departments and other structures to act decisively to fight it using the powers they have.
The department of Labour needs to lead from the front and ensure that workers, who are daily subjected to the racist attitudes in the workplaces, get proper protection. Every day we see farm workers, domestic workers and other vulnerable workers being subjected to extreme forms of abuse and oppression by racist employers.
COSATU is worried that two decades after our democratic breakthrough farm workers and farm dwellers still experience evictions and some are still being killed by their racist employers. The failure by government structures and agencies to stop this rot from continuing is a stain in our democracy and it is something that needs to be rectified immediately.
We also feel strongly that our socio-economic policies have played a role in emboldening the racists in this country. The structure of the economy is in favour of white people and it still gives them power over black people. This is the source of power that allows even public personalities, to boldly vocalise their racist feelings because they have nothing to lose. We need to restructure the economy to ensure that black people are not only viewed as cheap labour in this country.
The poverty wages that are still paid to the black majority have left many black workers being viewed and treated by some white people as nothing but glorified slaves. The fact that 60% of the employed workers ,who earn less than R5000 a month are mostly black is proof enough that our economy remains rooted in apartheid and colonial capitalism.
What is clear is that public condemnations, seminars and other forms of public disapproval are not enough. All the speeches and public declarations will not change the attitudes of the racists if there is no action and political will on the side of government to eliminate the colonial attitudes of employers in the workplace.
Government needs to show its seriousness and commitment to the fight against racism and cannot behave like a helpless organ with no means nor power to stop it
Speeches are enough to show that we are opposed to racism but we need its action that will signal that we are ready to fight racism. COSATU has declared a war against racism in the workplace and will be using all avenues to hold racists employers to account. We call on all workers to speak out against racism and use all measures within the ambit of the law to fight against racism.
Issued by Sizwe Pamla, National Spokesperson, COSATU, 23 March 2016
