Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
03 May 2023 | 13:12 CAT

Photo credit: Mail&Gaurdian

On Monday, International Labour Day was observed with sorting energy, fuel, food prices and chronic unemployment as a backdrop. Millions of young people are living in poverty and despair. Public Service and Commercial Union says the synergy between workers’ income and employer profits is long overdue. The Union is calling for steps to increase the purchasing power of the working class, which will end their economic problems.

To expand more on the issue, Radio Islam International speaks to the Secretary-General – of the Public Service and Commercial Union, Tahir Maepa.

“The economic woes of South Africa worsen day by day and the youth will be left in the rough,” says Maepa.

The role of the Union is to look after the employed, including a social responsibility over the families of the working class. According to Maepa, on this premise, the Union fights to ensure the economic challenges of South Africa get addressed.

Driven by the government’s policy, which determines the prosperity or disarray of the country, South Africa has a commendable economic policy. However, Maepa argues it is far from the truth as South Africa is the best only on paper.

While Covid-19 has ravaged the economy of South Africa, Maepa noted that the top 20 JSE-listed companies in South Africa made billions of rands in profit during the period despite retrenching many workers.

He says, “The greed within the private and public sector impacts our economic situation. Employers have a responsibility to share their profits with their employees who assisted their achievements, this will enable governments to concentrate on subsidising companies facing financial difficulties.”

Listen to the full interview on Sabahul Muslim with host Moulana Sulaiman Ravat.