EFF statement on Workers' Day
2 May 2018
The EFF marks the 132nd Anniversary of May Day which was ultimately adopted by the socialist and communist labour movements as the International Workers Day. We mark this day as an important reminder that a true solution to capitalist development is socialism. This means industrial and technological developments will only lead to true human freedom when production and distribution is driven for people as opposed to profit for profit's sake.
We, therefore, join the international community in calling on workers of the world to unite against multinational companies and imperialism in a united effort to build an alternative socialist future. Capitalism which over the last 200 years has only led to inequality, poverty and exploitation for the working class, can only be defeated by a united international working class.
South Africa faces one of the most brutal capitalist developments in human history whereby whose articulation with colonial anti-black racism continues to sustain wage inequalities on racial lines. Above all, apartheid and the post-apartheid states have ensured the continued availability of blacks as cheap and easily disposable labour.
We reiterate our rejection of the Youth Employment Service as launched by the Ramaphosa presidency. We reject it as an extension of EPWP into the private sector where capital will be allowed to pay graduates low wages without hiring them on permanent secure contracts. Furthermore, whilst we welcome the minimum wage in principle, we reject the set figure of R20 an hour. All these programs trap workers in low wages whilst companies and bosses live lavishly out of profits.