Organised Labour has rejected growing anti-migrant sentiment across the country and warned that migrants should not be made to be scapegoats for failures they did not create.
During a media briefing this week, held at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC), COSATU, FEDUSA, SAFTU and NACTU spoke as one, cautioning that removing foreign nationals from workplaces, communities or public spaces will not help South Africa in any way.
“We recognise the deep frustration of millions of South Africans facing unemployment, poverty, inequality, crime and deteriorating public services. These are real and legitimate grievances. However, South Africa’s economic crisis was not created by migrants. It is rooted in economic stagnation, deindustrialisation, mass unemployment, corruption, austerity, weak governance and the failure to build an economy that serves the majority.”
The federations say South Africans’ energy and frustrations must be aimed at the government alone, with demands that they fix the economy, create decent work and rebuild the state.
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They further expressed concern that the current surge in anti-migrant sentiment and mobilisation appears increasingly coordinated and politically orchestrated.
“Its purpose seems not only to divide the working class and redirect legitimate anger away from the real causes of poverty, unemployment, inequality and collapsing public services, but also to portray South Africa as a nation consumed by xenophobia and prone to barbaric acts of black-on-black violence in order to portray us in the most negative light in eyes of the international community.”
The bodies warn that dangerous rhetoric is sowing seeds of tribalism, chauvinism and conflict among African people, and threatening the unity that workers need to confront exploitation and fight collectively for jobs, decent living conditions and social justice.
“The working class must reject all attempts to divide it along national, ethnic or tribal lines and reaffirm the principle that an injury to one is an injury to all.”
They further state that they are “unequivocally opposed to vigilantism.”
“The enforcement of immigration, labour and criminal laws is the responsibility of the democratic state and its authorised institutions alone. No individual, organisation or self-appointed structure has the right to stop people in the streets, demand identity documents, raid workplaces, close businesses or prevent people from accessing public services.”
The unions say citizens have every right to march, but it cannot become a “licence for intimidation, unlawful detention, forced removals, ethnic profiling or violence.”
“South Africans have seen where this road leads, having lived through the deadly violence of 2008 and subsequent attacks on foreign nationals. We will not allow legitimate public anger to be manipulated into hatred and lawlessness. History has shown the devastating consequences of redirecting socioeconomic grievances against people based on their nationality or origin.”
At the same time, they have confirmed they are firmly opposed to the unlawful employment of undocumented migrants, with calls to investigate and prosecute all employers who exploit vulnerable workers.
The organisations have called on the government to enforce stronger labour inspection, effective border management, and ensure adequate staffing and technology systems to eradicate corruption in the system.
“Organised Labour also condemns all persons who solicit or accept bribes, facilitate illegal entry, issue fraudulent documentation or protect employers who violate the law. Such conduct fuels the crisis, undermines public trust and betrays the many honest public servants who continue to perform their duties under difficult conditions.”
They have also warned workers who stay away from work on 30 June that the proposed mass action is not supported by recognised labour federations and therefore does not constitute a protected strike.
“We urge workers to report for duty and not place their employment at risk. Government must communicate this clearly and act decisively against intimidation, unlawful shutdowns, attacks on workers, violence and threats to critical infrastructure.”
