The fresh democratic wind blowing through our country has had no liberating impact on our labour movement. All those who have struggled consistently for the independence of the labour movement must certainly now feel a great sense of dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Labour over RUSAL’s refusal to honour the union agreements and laws for improved wages and better working conditions.
We have argued, at several forums and at different times, that economic and social progress are not sustainable or even possible without workers’ rights being respected. We have said before that while we recognise that privatisation and divestment bring much benefit to workers in creating jobs, workers’ rights must be respected. I still hold very strongly to this point of view. No one can deny that the GB&GWU and its members played a leading role in the great struggle for a return to a democratic Ministry of Labour. I have noted the snail’s pace with which the Ministry of Labour has been moving to resolve disputes in the sugar industry and the mining sectors as they relate to wages and salaries and better working conditions. These issues were long festering and allowed some unscrupulous employers to benefit by increasing the exploitation of workers.
The unions involved in disputes will welcome the readiness of the Ministry of Labour to intervene and assist in resolving these matters. Workers are also disheartened by the fact that today unions can hardly bargain directly with employers on vital issues, in particular on wages, despite the fact that collective bargaining is so sacred to trade unions. This is vital if we are to improve the working and living conditions of our people. GB&GWU through consistent struggle and militant action will regain its collective bargaining and then it will be able to move earnings to a more satisfactory level and at the same time improve working conditions.
Yours faithfully,
Mohamed Khan
