SAFTU General Secretary Zwelinzim Vavi. Image: EWN
SAFTU said that migrants must not be scapegoated for failures they did not create.
Organised labour unions have formally rejected claims that foreign nationals are the cause of South Africa’s economic crisis.
The National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC), comprising Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA), South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU), and National Council of Trade Unions (NACTU), briefed the media on Wednesday about the growing tensions around migration in South Africa.
This is after tensions heightened and more protests popped up across the country in the lead-up to the 30 June ultimatum issued by anti-migrant and vigilante groups, demanding all undocumented foreign nationals leave the country.
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SAFTU argued that while there are legitimate grievances, systematic factors like corruption, deindustrialisation, and exploitative employers who hire undocumented migrants for cheap labour are to blame.
Secretary General Zwelinzima Vavi said that migrants must not be scapegoated for failures they did not create.
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Organised labour pushes back as migrant blame intensifies amid economic strain
“People have a right to be angry when they are facing the circumstances of today. Eighteen million people plus unemployed, 60% plus of the young people below the age of 25 are roaming the streets, losing hope, being sucked into antisocial behaviours.
“[But] the wrong people are being fingered. The anger is directed away… it should be directed to the employers who are exploiting the situation.”
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Vavi highlighted the government’s failure to address the root causes of the crisis.
“Home Affairs has as low as 40% of the staff that it needs to effectively monitor our border and its migration policy. So, our people have a right to be angry about porous borders.
“Regrettably, it is not the migrant that has created these conditions. So, even if you were to effectively manage our borders, the reality is that the factories that have been closed will not reopen.”
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Vavi emphasised that the unions are worried as the 30 June deadline looms closer.
“We are worried that there seems to be a coordination. There is money involved. These people have the money to transport people from hostels all over the republic.
“They have T-shirts to print, and more importantly, there is a political hand from the very same forces that generated the July 2021 unrest, who are now marching together,” he said.