NO COUNTRY can ever have a thriving economy where workers are exploited and not treated with respect and dignity, Congress of the People (Cope) national spokesman Dennis Bloem said on the eve of May Day celebrations.
The country will be celebrating May Day tomorrow. Bloem said the party viewed the day as one of the most important days in the country’s calendar adding the working class was the pillar of the economy of SA.
“It is also a painful fact that after 23 years of democracy many workers have not yet tasted the fruits of freedom with many of the workers only hearing about a better life for all. It is the responsibility of all of us and more importantly of the government to ensure that the working class enjoys the fruits of their labour,” Bloem said.
Cope was still concerned about some employers who refuse to hire locals and continue to exploit workers from other African countries. They hire these workers and not remunerate them properly. They take advantage of their desperate situation. When these workers complain they threaten to report them to the police for being in the country illegally,” he said.
He said Cope was calling on government to clamp down on this practice. Cope would be joining workers in celebrations around the country because members of Cope were workers. “Cope wishes all workers a happy and joyous workers day,” he said.
