South Africa’s opposition Economic Freedom Front will soon establish a labour union to address challenges faced by workers in the country, party leader Julius Malema has said.
Speaking at Workers’ Day rally in Middelburg in Mpumalanga province on Sunday, Malema said the EFF has – through its labour desk – been helping workers, notwithstanding their political party affiliation.
“We are having a labour desk because we are preparing to have an EFF union. The union of EFF is inevitable,” Malema said.
Led by Hlengiwe Mkhalipi, the labour desk allowed walk-ins at the party’s headquarters by workers experiencing labour issues.
He said despite its successes, the party was continually being taken to court by companies claiming the EFF did not have the jurisdiction to challenge worker-related issues as it was not a labour union.
“The labour desk of the EFF is doing very well. It is fighting battles day in and day out,” Malema said.
He added: “You know what they’ve resorted to now? Every time the EFF goes to intervene, they take us to court and say we’re not a union.”
He insisted that until its union is formally registered the EFF would continue to fight for workers’ rights “whether we are a union or not.”
“As long as a black person is exploited, we are going to fight with those who exploit black people,” the EFF leader said.
He said the union would push the EFF’s policy position of in-sourcing workers, especially security staff and cleaners, in municipalities and government departments.
NM/jn/APA