100 YEARS LATER: THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME
100 years ago our comrades were murdered for
fighting for workers power. But the evils they resisted then are
still alive today. Today society is more divided into classes than
ever before:
The bosses say South African workers are overpaid. But research
shows that average hourly earnings in manufacturing are actually
quite low by international standards. The wages of Black workers in
manufacturing are lower than those of workers in Korea, Brazil and
Mexico. We must not think in terms of competing with these workers-
we are all one class of people with one set of interests. Instead we
must work alongside them to raise wages in all countries.
It is the bosses who are overpaid. Recent reports show that top
management in big companies South Africa can "earn" up to R900, 000 a
year. This salary excludes bonuses, share options, medical aid and
pensions. This money comes from our exploited labour.
Nearly two-thirds of South Africans live in poverty whilst the ten
richest families are worth nearly R18 billion rand if taken together.
Despite economic growth of around 3% a year since 1992,
unemployment continues to grow. More than 126,000 jobs were lost in
the manufacturing, mining and construction sectors between May 1993
and mid-1996.
The State plans to cut 300,000 jobs in the civil service over the
next three years in line with its commitment to "free market"
policies (the so-called "Growth, Employment and Redistribution"
strategy (GEAR). This will affect up to 1,5 million people. (see
previous Workers Solidarity for discussion of GEAR)
Sources: Sunday Times: Business Times, 23/3/1997 p1, 22; article
by Desai and Bohmke in South African Labour Bulletin (June 1996);
article by Bethlehem and Makgetla in South African Labour Bulletin
(September 1994); Financial Mail, January 3, 1997.
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