Workers of the world unite for decent work
World Day for Decent Work calls for workers across the world to unite for better employment.
Since 2008, October 7 has been celebrated as World Day for Decent Work (WDDW). This is the day where workers across the world unite in their call for decent work.
The campaign was initiated by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and seeks to raise awareness about all challenges workers face in their workplaces.
According to ITUC, “This is a day for mobilisation all over the world: one day when all the trade unions in the world stand up for decent work.
“Decent work must be at the centre of government actions to bring back economic growth and build a new global economy that puts people first.”
South African workers are joining their counterparts from other countries in the fight against decent work.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has organised a one-day national strike for Friday where demonstrations are expected in various parts of the country.
Federation spokesperson Sizwe Pamla said, “We are convinced that a united force of class-conscious organised workers cannot afford the luxury of isolating itself by standing on self-indulgent schismatic grounds; merely satisfied with militant sounding slogans when other class forces are shaping the future of our country.”
In Johannesburg, the march is expected to move from Braamfontein to various places in the city centre.
Provincial Cosatu spokesperson Dumisani Dakile said, “We are targeting a number of places where we will be delivering our memorandum.
“The first one is the mayor’s office followed by the chamber of mines and the provincial Department of Transport. We will also be marching to Spar at Ghandi Square.”
Top of the list of issues to be raised are inequality, unemployment and poverty. The federation has also pledged support to the student movements in their call for free and compulsory education for all.
