NUMSA backs Cleaning Workers Strike
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) fully backs the ongoing strike action by cleaning workers for a living wage as led by our reliable and dependably ally, SATAWU.
The malodorous arrogance displayed by the cleaning industry oligarchy with their newly found friends, the tenderpreneurs, who are profiteering from outsourced cleaning tenders from government and other strategic public utility's, is indicative of their intentions to maintain and reproduce the old apartheid income inequalities amidst the deepening crisis of poverty, mass unemployment, escalating costs of basic necessities, fuel and transport to the detriment of the workers and the poor.
We are conscious of the fact that the cleaning industry has become a lucrative business venture for tenderpreneurs occupying strategic positions of power and influence in our movement and the state for their primitive and self-centred accumulation interests to the benefits of their spouses and extended families.
The profits or money accumulated from these cleaning tenders are being blown-up or wasted on Golf courses and opulent parties where food is served over bodies of naked women. Whilst the hard working and dedicated cleaning workers are left-out to fend for the next meals or transport money to come to work.
This strike action is taking place during the very important month of August 2011, as we celebrate the heroic 1956 struggles by the women of our country. And the cleaning industry is mainly dominated by female workers and it would be an insult to our government through the Ministry of Labour, if it does not act in the interest of these workers by imposing a minimum wage to the employers.
We call on the cleaning company bosses to concede to the legitimate and genuine demands of workers, such as a minimum wage demand of R4 200-00 per month, employers contribution to the Provident Fund, a 40 hours of work per week and an 13th cheque bonus. These demands by workers are in sync with the ANC's electoral promises of creating decent work and the Freedom Charter's resolve for equal pay for equal work.
We call on the cleaning workers to remain firm and resolute in their demands for a minimum wage and improved conditions of employment. Fighting together we can achieve more for our workers!
Statement issued by Castro Ngobese, NUMSA national spokesperson, August 10 2011
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