CWU is shocked by Julius Malema’s attack on workers

8 February 2016

Communication Workers Union joins thousands of South Africans who condemn the EFF and its Commander in Chief, Julius Malema, for his unfortunate and misplaced attack on workers.  On the 4th February 2016 during the EFF’s press briefing, Julius Sello Malema took his time to launch an attack on workers, i.e. journalists, from ANN7 and New Age.  His comments contradict what he and his Party claim to be, i.e. a vanguard of the working class.

It’s important for Mr Malema to be alive to the fact that these workers come from the most vulnerable, downtrodden and poorest of the poor communities.  These workers in their majority are blacks whom he claims his party represents.  It’s a travesty that a Commander in Chief of a Party which claims to be a vanguard of the working class is unable to separate those who own the means of production (capitalists) from those who are exploited by the same capitalists he claims to be fighting.  This has exposed his political backruptcy and narrow politicking.

As a union we are up in arms against ANN7 and New Age with regard to poor working conditions in these companies and we know how exploited these workers are and how they struggle daily to make ends meet.  These are our members and we will encourage the EFF to fight its political battles with the Guptas and not focus on easy targets, workers who are defenceless.

We call upon state security agencies including the employer to provide sufficient protection for our members at ANN7 and New Age while they are on duty trying to make a living.

We further call for an Indaba of all stakeholders in the media industry to discuss issues of security and allowances for field journalists.

Issued by Communication Workers Union, 8 February 2016