28 April 2006
Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana today (Friday) urged workers and
employers to preserve the significance of the world-wide May Day workers
celebrations.
In his May Day message ahead of next Mondayâs celebrations, Minister
Mdladlana said it was important for everyone to think of those who were still
denied basic worker rights.
âOn Monday South African workers, as part of the global community will be
joining their counterparts around the world in celebrating the achievements and
fruits of the struggles that were waged by their forefathers more than 100
years ago. As we will be celebrating, it is important to note that this yearâs
celebration coincides with the 60th anniversary of the historic mineworkersâ
strike of 1946.
âIt is the struggles of this nature that led to the current improvements in
our working conditions,â he said. It was important for people not to treat the
May Day holiday as an ordinary public holiday.
âThe freedoms that we enjoy today resulted from attempts by the government
and its social partners to ensure the realisation of those struggles and I
would therefore like to remind our fellow countrymen and women that as we
celebrate, we should pause to spare a thought for those who are yet to enjoy
these basic conditions,â Minister Mdladlana said.
Enquiries:
Mokgadi Pela
Cell: 082 808 2168
Issued by: Department of Labour
28 April 2006
