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30 April 2009

The 1st of May 2009 marks the 15th anniversary since Workers' Day was celebrated in 1994. It is also a celebration of 15 years of our democracy which is largely owed to the millions of workers, which without your support and sweat we would have not heralded the kind of South Africa we have today.

Workers' Day is recognition of the struggle fought by many in the rank and file of our alliance trade union partners and our workers all over, for rights, a living wage and human dignity, among many achievements. We pay tribute to our workers because, through you, we as representatives of our communities can continue making with programmes to create jobs; closing the wage gap in some sectors of our economy, allowing us to introduce minimum wages and prescribe working conditions, among the many of our objectives.

You have never shied away from challenges to bring about a better life for workers. You turned out in numbers at the polls on 22 April 2009. You have played a fundamental role in building South Africa into what it is today. We thank you and salute you for that and call on you to continue the heroic struggle to bring about a better life for all.

The workers struggle is far from over. We will continue with programmes such as rural and economic development, the emancipation of women, particularly rural women, and ensuring that the youth build their lives in the economy. Our ANC-led government has embarked on a vigorous programme to protect the most vulnerable workers. This has resulted in the active role of women in a previously male-dominated workplace. Women are now playing a central role in shaping our economic growth, and have become captains of their destiny within our economy and beyond.

The emancipation of women, particularly rural women, still remains at the top of our agenda. Women continue to encounter injustices of unfair and abusive labour practices, which are being addressed. We will ensure that youth programmes are implemented to empower our young and, particularly, unemployed graduates.
The 2010 FIFA World Cup also presents workers with a great economic opportunity to participate in our shared economic growth and have their fair share of the cake. The infrastructure and services being put in place will be a true reflection of the sweat and efforts of the working class for generations to come.

This is by no means exhaustive in addressing the challenges going forward. More needs to be done to eradicate apartheid’s legacy of unemployment, poverty, inequality and racism. Poverty and unemployment continue to be the greatest challenges facing South Africa, and the working class in particular. The focus of the ANC’s economic policy is the creation of decent work opportunities.
For this to be achieved, it is necessary that the forces of democratic change and progress are united and strong. We look to the workers alliance to assist us with dealing with the socio-economic challenges facing our country.

With your vote on April 22, you have not shied away from challenges to bring about a better life for workers. You have played a fundamental role in building South Africa into what it is today. We salute you for that and call on you to continue the heroic struggle to bring about a better life for all.

Long live the workers of South Africa. We pledge to contribute as much as we can in our efforts to better the lives of all South Africans, especially the poorest of the poor. We also pledge to intensify our struggle against the eradication of illiteracy in our province, as our present efforts through our Masifundisane Campaign demonstrate that such a goal can be achieved.

We also want to voice our recognition of the right of workers to safety at the workplace, in a similar way as we voice our concern for the basic right of food security for all. On this Workers' Day, we call on the workers in South Africa to continue the fight and to transform South Africa into the country of our dreams.

Together we can do more.

Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Premier's Spokesperson
Cell: 083 644 4050
E-mail: maistryl@premier.kzntl.gov.za

Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
30 April 2009