Follow in MISA’s footsteps this Workers Day

1 May 2022
 
Follow in MISA’s footsteps this Workers Day
 
On Workers Day 2022 there is not much to celebrate in South Africa after the disastrous flooding in KwaZulu-Natal that claimed the lives of at least 448 people and destroyed nearly 4 000 homes.
 
“Workers nationwide will feel the impact of this disaster, contributing to the effects of global climate change. In the months to come, we will see workers being retrenched because of the floods which will result in more unemployment,” says Martlé Keyter, Chief Executive Officer: Operations at MISA, the Motor Industry Staff Association.
 
MISA donated R90 700 to the Gift of the Givers Foundation who are busy with numerous projects to assist victims who has lost everything in the floods. We hope other trade unions will also follow MISA’S example.
 
According to scientists, South Africa will be between 3 to 4 degrees warmer by the end of this century.
 
Dr Chispian Olver, Executive Director of the Presidential Climate Commission, says South Africa is already one and a half degrees warmer since 1951 to 2019. Durban flagged as one of the most vulnerable cities, should the sea level rise with 32% by in the next 80 years.
 
“The Climate Change Act was published in the Government Gazette on 1 October last year, but Parliament only took note thereof in February this year. There is no serious efforts to combat climate change or the 35.3% unemployment rate, with a staggering 65.5% of our youth remaining unemployed.
 
“Annually Workers’ Day commemorates the achievements of trade unions in the struggle against Apartheid. But were these achievements so great if the World Bank calls the rainbow nation the most unequal country in the world?
 
“Thirteen years after I established the MISA Women’s Forum in August 2009, to increase the understanding of gender equality issues in the “world of work” and women’s economic and financial independence, a woman is still more likely to be without a job than a man, according to StatsSA. The unemployment rate among women at 51%,” says Keyter.
 
According to Keyter, the struggle is far from over for trade unions in South Africa who has a duty to protect and create more jobs. 
 
“I believe that trade unions can no longer just maintain their traditional role of protecting the interest of workers and improving working conditions.  They need to get involved and take action.
 
“This Workers Day I challenge other trade unions to follow MISA’s example by taking action to empower women, to uplift and educate our youth and to play an active role in creating more job opportunities,” says Keyter.
 
Issued on behalf of MISA by Sonja Carstens, Media, Liaison and Communication Specialist.