Maseru, Jun. 18—South Africans (SA) now have conflicting views on the issues of illegal immigrants being forced out of SA.
Pretoria business community is reported to have sworn that if the protests ever get into their town, they will ensure that the protestors regret it.
Meanwhile, SA’s major labour federations have called on workers to distance themselves from the planned June 30 anti-immigrant protest, warning that targeting foreign nationals will not address the country’s deep-rooted economic problems.
The joint statement by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA), the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU), and the National Council of Trade Unions (NACTU) acknowledged that communities have genuine concerns over unemployment, poverty and economic hardship.
However, the federations argued that migrants should not be blamed for challenges caused by broader structural failures. They said SA’s economic difficulties are linked to issues such as slow economic growth, the decline of key industries, unemployment, corruption, poor service delivery and weak governance.
The unions stressed that removing foreign nationals from workplaces or communities would not resolve unemployment or improve public services, saying such actions would not revive struggling industries, fix failing municipalities or strengthen sectors such as healthcare.
They further urged workers not to participate in activities that could put their jobs at risk, encouraging them instead to report for duty and focus on addressing the real causes of the country’s economic struggles.
Ends/MP/BM
