Little to celebrate this Workers' Day, say some political parties

JOHANNESBURG - Some political parties believe there’s little to celebrate as the country commemorates Workers’ Day on Wednesday.

The public holiday holds profound significance in South Africa's fight for fair employment standards, including better working conditions and fair wages.

But this year’s instalment comes when unemployment remains staggeringly high at 32.1%.

Leader of Build One South Africa Mmusi Maimane said an even bigger crisis is brewing in the Eastern Cape.

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The party held what it termed a "non-workers day" protest in KwaZakhele, in Gqeberha on Wednesday.

“The Eastern Cape has the highest level of unemployment, low levels of productivity and manufacturing has just about collapsed. Now is the time to build a Gqeberha that works.”

Meanwhile, leader of Rise Mzansi Songezo Zibi said more needs to be done to address the cost of living crisis faced by workers.

“We also need to recognise that workers are citizens, they’ve got problems in the community, they’ve got problems at home because of the economic and socio-economic conditions.”