WORKERS’ DAY MESSAGE FROM SPEAKER NONTEMBEKO BOYCE

WORKERS’ DAY MESSAGE FROM SPEAKER NONTEMBEKO BOYCE: “LET US ALL HONOUR ESSENTIAL SERVICES EMPLOYEES WHO ARE DILIGENTLY TRYING TO STOP THE SPREAD OF COVID-19”

KwaZulu-Natal Legislature Speaker, Ms Nontembeko Boyce has joined leaders around the world in honoring the role played by essential workers in the fight against the deadly Coronavirus as the world celebrates the Workers’ Day.

In her message on the Workers’ Day, the Speaker said essential workers such as healthcare workers, farm workers, truck drivers, law enforcement agencies and grocery shops workers risked their lives as they tried to prevent the spread of the pandemic and keep South Africans going during the lockdown.

“Today workers around the world commemorate international workers despite challenges imposed by the pandemic. Workers are facing a lot of challenges including uncertainty of their future because of the impact of COVID-19 and Lockdown on the economy however we are confident that government will reignite the economy after this difficult time address the economic recovery of South Africa post Covid-19. We must appreciate the role played by essential workers as the world tries to defeat the deadly virus. Some workers have lost their lives while others have lost their jobs because of the pandemic. We therefore commend all those who continue to lend a helping hand to workers through donating various protective equipment. Government’s social and economic support package to mitigate the impact of the pandemic is also highly commendable,” Said Boyce.

The KwaZulu-Natal Legislature is working tirelessly close with labour federations to ensure that the interest of workers are championed. Discussion around Workers parliament that was meant to sit on the 7-8 May within Umgungundlovu District are still underway taking into consideration the restrictions and regulations of the lockdown, there are number of proposals including having a virtual parliament.

“We have finalized our comprehensive workers’ month programme which will see our institution working closely with labour federations to respond decisively to challenges faced by the workers. The programme will be finalized and communicated to the public early next week. With the country observing national lockdown due to the serious pandemic of Coronavirus/COVID19,now that we have moved from level 5 to level 4 , the legislature is fully aware that this year workers day will not be like any other before, there will be no traditional May Day rallies and will be celebrated differently,” added Boyce.

The KwaZulu Natal Legislature salutes the workers of KwaZulu Natal especially the frontline workers who are confronting the deadly virus on daily basis, this holiday is a testimony to the hard battles that workers have waged for workers’ rights and social justice over many decades however many challenges still confront workers.

ISSUED BY THE SPEAKER’S OFFICE
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Nomusa Phungula
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