The SACP - on this day of the commencement of COSATU’s programme of action on job
losses and job creation - re-affirms its full support for this action by workers. It is
time now that South Africa’s working class mobilises to fight this job loss bloodbath
that has been underway in our country for the last few years. Unless workers take up the
fight against job losses, there is a very real danger that our democracy is increasingly
going to be enjoyed by fewer and fewer people at the direct expense of the working class
whose sacrifices were central in securing the democratic breakthrough. This is informed by
our belief that there can be no sustainable political democracy without economic justice
and redistribution of wealth in our
country. It is for these reasons that the SACP in its Year 2000 programme of action has
prioritised the question of job creation and eradication of poverty, including the fight
against job losses.
However it is our considered view that the fundamental cause of jobs crisis in our country is capitalism, particularly its current phase of globalisation. The extent of job losses, and the resultant poverty, is as a direct result of the ease with which capitalist enterprises retrench workers in their quest for profit, outside of a broader commitment to job creation and social stability in our country.
Capitalism and poverty are the twin evils that pose the most serious and direct threat
to the consolidation of our democracy. It is for this reason that we believe that this
programme of action by the workers should be intensified into a generalised offensive to
roll back capitalism and fight poverty. For us as the SACP we are also strongly of the
view that this action should be part of strengthening and consolidating working class
power in South African society as the only foundation upon which to deepen and
defend our democracy.
Indeed we expect that capitalist ideologues and their apologists will use this
opportunity to intensify their attacks on the working
class, particularly its organised sections. These attacks are normally made in the name of
fighting for the interests of the poor. The SACP re-affirms its view that a struggle
against job losses is an integral component of the struggle against poverty. The struggle
of the working class is therefore one and the same struggle as that of the rural and urban
poor – a struggle for a better
life for all.
We therefore call upon all our members to fully support and actively participate in COSATU’s programmes, and ensure that we mobilise our communities to support this action.
Issued by:
SACP Dept of Media, Information and Publicity
For further information please contact
Mr Mazibuko Jara - 0836510271
South African Communist Party - Head Office
COSATU House
No. 1 Leyds Street - 7th Floor
Braamfontein 2001
Republic of South Africa
Tel: 27 11 339-3621/2
Fax: 27 11 339-4244
E-Mail: sacp1@wn.apc.org
31 January 2000