On the 1st of May we will come together to celebrate Workers Day or what is known elsewhere as Labour Day. In this day we will pay tribute to millions of people in our shores who work tirelessly in mines, farms, classrooms, banks, hospitals, police stations and many other places alike – the workers who clearly keep the engine of our economy running.

Honourable Speaker, we will join millions across the world in encouraging each other to appreciate the work we do as valuable and essential, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Most importantly, we will on this day remember the historical struggle of workers and trade unions to attain decent working conditions and the mores of human rights in the labour market.

Honourable Members, this day will be celebrated few days apart, yet in one accord with Freedom Day. For if Tata Mandela has taught us one thing it is that, the achievement of our rights as sovereigns of this country and our rights as workers should be celebrated together, because our history has made them inseparable.

Tata Madiba’s lesson to us is spot on since our history informs us that black workers in the 1970’s were excluded from trade unions because the definition of “worker” in the industrial Constitution did not incorporate Africans. Thus, black workers had no voice and were exploited in many ways that included; delay in payment, dismissal without notice and compulsion to work overtime.

Madam Speaker, on the 1st of May we will celebrate Workers Day in a country distinct to the one of the former years. Contrary to the past, workers in this country are now free to join a trade union of their choice to represent their interests. In the same vein, several structures are now in place to protect the men and women who serve in good faith and contribute to the country’s growing GDP.

However, our celebrations will also take place in a country where very few people are in formal employment, many are unemployed, some retrenched as a result of companies closing down, and the remaining workers are below the poverty datum line. So, without sounding harsh, we will be celebrating Workers Day in a country with no work.

Honourable Speaker, the truth is that South Africa today has one of the highest unemployment rates, sixth behind states such as Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Greece and Spain as revealed by the International Monetary Fund’s recent figures.

What this revelation does, is flag the need for more workers in this country. In the same breath, it challenges us to start working seriously towards growing our economy. For however good our economic policies are, they will not bare fruits if not implemented and enforced.

Now more than ever, Gauteng needs a united and determined focus on creating jobs. We need to think long and hard about the people of this province who are locked out of the labour market, than those already in the market. For if indeed we all agree with the former statesmen’s idea that, Workers Day and Freedom Day are inseparable; then we need to contemplate on how unemployment is preying on the dignity and sense of self-worth of those unemployed Gauteng citizens. And maybe after doing this exercise we will redouble our effort on creating the much needed jobs.

Honourable Speaker, in the IFP, our commitment and economic policy is focused at addressing the scourge of unemployment that is slowly but openly tearing down our ideals of economic freedom and human dignity. We believe that there is a need to balance job creation and job protection by revising the labour laws to allow for flexibility. But, we are also mindful of the fact that the problem of unemployment can only be dealt with in a collaborative manner. Leaders, trade unions, civil society and the community need to participate in the implementation of good policy to help our people now and cater for future needs.

By so saying, the IFP pleads with all of us to dedicate this Workers Day towards addressing unemployment. We urge all of us to use this occasion to start a dialogue on how to drive sustained and inclusive economic growth which creates jobs. After all, we cannot have this day as a burden to our calendar simply because there is not much to celebrate in it.