10/07/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/07/2024 07:56
Monday, 7 October 2024: - Comrades, workers, the downtrodden masses of South Africa,
The South African Communist Party (SACP) stands in full, militant solidarity with the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and all progressive forces participating in the national strike on Monday, 7 October 2024.
This strike is not just a protest - it is a war cry against the relentless exploitation of workers, the tyranny of capital and its neo-liberal economic and workplace restructuring and policy agenda.
For too long, workers have borne the brunt of the capitalist system's crisis. While the capitalist bosses grow fat off the sweat of workers' labour, millions of workers and their families are condemned to poverty, unemployment and starvation wages.
Today, we say ENOUGH!
The blood of the workers is not cheap. Together, let us unite and not allow capitalists to bleed us as the working class dry while they hoard the wealth created by our labour and turn a blind eye to the suffering the working class endures.
As we take to the streets today, we are therefore also honouring the 79th anniversary of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), whose founding congress was held in Paris from 3 to 8 October 1945.
The WFTU represents the world's class-oriented and militant trade union movement, a revolutionary force that has fought tirelessly for the emancipation of workers across the globe.
Today, as we strike, we echo the demands made under the theme of the WFTU's anniversary: "We Demand Dignified Working and Living Conditions."
In line with the WFTU's militant legacy, we demand:
These basic human rights, including access to quality healthcare for all, should never be treated as commodities for the highest bidder.
These demands are not mere requests. They are the battle lines drawn between the forces of revolution and the reactionary forces of capital.
The capitalist system has no future for the working class. It is a system that thrives on exploitation, violence and inequality.
Let us build maximum unity, including by forging a popular left front and building a powerful, socialist movement of the workers and poor. Let us take our fight beyond demands for improvements and against symptoms of its inherent injustice, to intensify the struggle to end the exploitative capitalist system and replace it with the caring, socialist mode of production and just distribution of income from production, including trade.
The SACP supports the demands of the COSATU-led Strike
This strike is a clarion call to workers everywhere to unite and fight. The SACP calls on all workers, communities and progressive forces to sustain this mobilisation and deepen the working-class struggle with unrelenting determination.
Let it be known: The working class will not be subdued by fear, intimidation, or the false promises of reform.
Victory to the working class! Power to the people!
Forward to socialism!
Issued by the South African Communist Party,
Founded in 1921 as the Communist Party of South Africa.
Media, Communications & Information Department | MCID
Dr Alex Mohubetswane Mashilo, Central Committee Member
National Spokesperson & Political Bureau Secretary for Policy and Research
FOR INTERVIEW ARRANGEMENTS, MEDIA LIAISON & CIRCULATION SERVICES
Hlengiwe Nkonyane
Media Liaison Officer & Digital Platforms Manager
Mobile: +27 66 473 4819
OFFICE & OTHER CONTACT DETAILS
Office: +2711 339 3621/2
Website: www.sacp.org.za
Facebook Page: South African Communist Party
Twitter: SACP1921
WELCOME TO THE SACP DONATION PAGE: https://donate.sacp.org.za/. PLEASE MAKE A CLEAN DONATION.