11 July 2001
The South African Communist Party (SACP) is pleased at the publication of a report on the conditions of work and a minimum wage for domestic workers for public discussion. The SACP applauds the Department of Labour for the work and research done in order to publish this report and initiate a public discussion.
Domestic workers are amongst some of the most exploited sections of workers in South Africa. The working conditions of domestic workers is one of the most acute expressions of the oppression and exploitation of black women in our country. The SACP therefore believes that the report and the public discussion which will ensue will contribute to address the conditions under which domestic workers work.
However, the SACP regards the proposed amounts for minimum wages for different parts of the country as below a living wage and basically too low. The SACP takes into account the considerations of the Department of Labour that because of the nature of the domestic work sector, setting a high minimum wage could lead to job losses. However, as the SACP we are concerned that this can lead to a two-tier labour market and effectively reverse the basic floor of worker's rights we have established.
This therefore points to the basic question of socio-economic transformation and the specific need to consider a social wage in our country which must include a Basic Income Grant, a National Health Insurance Scheme, free education, free basic services and mobilisation of savings for retirement and socio-economic development. These are matters which the SACP will focus on in preparing its final position and response to the report.
What is most critical though is that in the end in order for domestic workers to earn a living wage and win fair working conditions they must be mobilised and organised into trade unions. The struggles and advances made by workers in this country has been proportionate to their strength of mobilisation and organisation. The SACP commits itself to pay serious attention to the mobilisation and organisation of domestic workers into trade unions.
The SACP calls on domestic workers and the broader public to earnestly discuss this report in order to advance the interests and rights of domestic workers and to intensify the organisation of domestic workers.
CONTACT
Mazibuko Kanyiso Jara (surname Jara)
Department of Media, Information and Publicity
South African Communist Party
Tel:011 339 3621
Fax: 011 339 4244
Cell: 083 651 0271
Email: sacp1@wn.apc.org