FEDUSA MEDIA STATEMENT ON HAMMANSKRAAL WATER CRISIS AND CHOLERA OUTBREAK

23 May 2023

The Federation of Unions of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) calls on the government to urgently address the water quality crisis in Hammanskraal, North of Pretoria following the deaths of 15 people and the hospitalisation of dozens of others. The national, provincial and municipal government entities responsible for the safe supply of water to this area must hang its head in shame for continuously failing to address the crisis which has been common knowledge to all South Africans for over a decade. In 2019, the SA Human Rights Commission declared that water in the area was unfit for human consumption, with politicians in tow making several undertakings to address the calamity.

However, as we have now come to learn, very little positive outcomes emanate from such commitments. Now, the residents of Hammanskraal must pay the ultimate human price and are dying as a result of a government which is not bothered by the distress of its citizens. We will in coming days hear similar reassurances, which we have little faith will come to fruition. We call on civil society organisations to explore legal recourse to compel the Tshwane Municipality to fix the collapsed water infrastructure system in the area. Albeit that this is not the ideal solution to every crisis we face as a nation, evidence has proven that the government is unwilling to function outside of litigious processes at great cost communities and organisations.

The crisis in Hammanskraal is also a demonstration of a failing state. That in 2023, South Africa is experiencing a Cholera outbreak is a fact that must sent shivers down the spines of all South Africans about the government’s incapability and unwillingness to prioritise its mandate.

Last year, the SA Institute of Civil Engineering, the country’s industry body for civil engineering professionals again raised the alarm in its Infrastructure report card. It found that less than half of water supply systems, at 48% were in the low-risk category, that 18% were in the medium risk category, 11% in high risk and a whopping 23% were found to be in the critical risk category.

This means what is happening in Hammanskraal could easily take place in any other community which fails to meet the acceptable water quality standard. “The fact that 34% of systems are in the high and critical risk categories is of great concern,” read the report. These findings were published publicly for all to see. This included the government principals and officials responsible for the provision of clean drinking water in line with the country’s constitutional requirements. Yet, it was still not a crisis enough for communities such as Hammanskraal to be afforded urgent intervention.

The report also showed that one third of all water supply systems have no mechanism to sound the alarm when there is life-threatening microbiological contamination in the drinking water. The government can spare us its remorse performances and immediately address the crisis if it cares about the health of South Africans.

FEDUSA sends heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have unnecessarily lost their lives due to the failures of leaders in government and wishes the sick, a speedy recovery.

 

For media enquiries

Betty Moleya

063 736 5533

 

For interviews please contact:

 

Ms Riefdah Ajam

FEDUSA General Secretary

079 696 2625

 

Mr Ashley Benjamin

FEDUSA Deputy General Secretary

083 258 4433

 

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FEDUSA MOURNS THE PASSING OF DENNIS GEORGE

17 May 2023

 

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) lowers its flag as we mourn the passing of the organisation’s former general secretary, Dennis George. George was 65 years old at the time of his passing and leaves behind a legacy of commitment to workers’ rights throughout his career in the labour movement in South Africa and beyond. George was a marketing consultant at Sanlam when he was recruited by the Transport and Allied Trade Union to work as an organiser. He was later appointed General Secretary of FEDUSA in 1998 after serving in other roles in the federation.

George’s passion for education was witnessed in how he selflessly dedicated himself while working as National Training Officer at FEDUSA. We later witnessed this passion when he continued with studies to complete a Masters degree and later a PhD. His tenure as General Secretary of FEDUSA for over 20 years was categorised by many victories for workers which manifested in the growth of the federation.

He also represented the organisation with excellence when serving nationally in platforms such as the National Economic Development and Labour Council, the National Skills Authority, the National Board for Further Education and Training among others. Globally, George was actively engaged in committees at the International Labour Organisation, World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the International Trade Union Confederation, among others.

FEDUSA remembers George as a committed leader of the working class, who was a great champion of worker unity, starting with collaboration between the country’s different labour formations. He was full of life till the very end, always with a smile on his face as he travelled to every corner of the country in service of affiliates and members alike. During his tenure as general secretary of FEDUSA, he was always eager to form working relationships with business, government, other unions and the media fraternity.

A dedicated activist at heart, he had always called for all major stakeholders to increase their participation in schemes aimed at addressing national, company and shop-floor level issues for the sake of the country’s economic growth. His goal had always been to promote the interest and rights of works while enhancing social justice and the country’s economic prosperity. George was a truly patriotic South African. Throughout his years at the helm of the federation, he never expressed doubt about the country’s future. He was always positive and forward looking, believing that there is nothing that can stand in the way of the good intentions of the many who work hard for the country’s prosperity.

FEDUSA honours George for his dedication to the growth of the South African organised labour movement. We will honour his memory by forever remaining true to the core of the work of unions, which is to serve members with distinction.

 

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For media enquiries

Betty Moleya

063 736 5533

 

For interviews please contact:

 

Ms Riefdah Ajam

FEDUSA General Secretary

079 696 2625

 

Mr Ashley Benjamin

FEDUSA Deputy General Secretary

083 258 4433

 

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WORKERS’ DAY 2023

30 May 2023

As South Africans and workers across the world mark International Workers’ Day, the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) commemorates this important day in the lives of workers with a heavy heart. Despite the painstaking efforts of workers in the various sectors where we organise, society continues to suffer many challenges which have befallen this beautiful nation as a result of incompetent political leaders and private industry captains. We celebrate the efforts of workers against a tragic backdrop of collapsing municipalities, shrinking wages, a weakening economy and the heightening of the triple crises that is unemployment, poverty and inequality.

Crime has also negatively affected the quality-of-life South Africans are entitled to enjoy as per the prescripts in the country’s constitution. Meanwhile, more and more workers and people, in general, are suffering from mental health illnesses due to these factors and many others, forcing us as a caring labour federation to take a step back and reflect on Safety and Wellness as Fundamental Rights in Workplaces.

Albeit the Occupational Health and Safety Act guarantees workers many protections, we have realised that many employers continue to exploit workers, putting their lives and health at risk as many are incapable of speaking up in fear of compromising their job security. However, even with this reality, FEDUSA wants to encourage workers to make use of the anonymous tip-off lines at the Employment and Labour Department to report employers who are incompliant with the OHS Act. The tragedy here is that while many are silent as they are exposed to hazardous materials and collapsing buildings in their places of work, they equally fall victim to these inhumane conditions that they should not be subjected to in the first place.

The government itself has been exposed for being among the leading contraveners of the OHS Act and other regulations set to guarantee the safety of workers. We have found it even more alarming that despite the recorded and well-researched data on the rise of mental health illnesses in the country and globally, more so after the Covid-19 pandemic, employers still turn a blind eye to this crisis. Many have resorted to paying lip service to this crisis instead of addressing the root cause, which mostly emanates from the very toxic workspaces employees are subjected to. Employers and managers continue to fail to distinguish between incapacity, poor performance, misconduct and disability in people suffering from depression among other mental health issues. Instead of addressing the illness and offering workers the necessary support, many resort to unfair dismissals, further clogging the overstretched CCMA and Labour Court system.

Just last year, the World Health Organisation and the International Labour Organisation called for concrete action to address mental health concerns in the working population globally. This was on the back of research which indicated that an estimated 12 billion workdays are lost annually due to depression and anxiety, costing the global economy almost One Trillion US Dollars. The evidence is clear that the cost of not paying attention to health, safety and wellness in workplaces has far-reaching consequences on not only the lives of workers but also our economy and the overall well-being of South Africans in general. FEDUSA agrees with the World Health Organisation’s guidelines on mental health at work which recommended several actions including addressing heavy workloads, negative behaviours and other factors that create distress at work. What is needed is comprehensive training of bosses and managers across the board on how to create healthy working environments.

The level of staff turnover in key industries in South Africa, including in the media sector is indicative of a crisis that ought to be tackled. Many workers choose to walk away from work they are passionate about in the interest of their health. As we commemorate Workers’ Day this year, FEDUSA calls on employers to introspect and change their ways.

It is also shameful that nearly 30 years into the country’s economy, workers continue to face deadly working conditions.

The fact that the country’s mining sector still must account yearly for fatalities in their operations speaks volumes about how little has changed. That teachers in rural settings, along with learners still must risk their health and lives using pit latrines is an abomination. The fact that the Employment and Labour Department’s inspectors still declare buildings “death traps” in the public and private sectors also speaks volumes about the commitment of employers to the wellness of workers.

FEDUSA and its affiliates commit to continuing its work aimed at advocating for the rights of workers regarding occupational health, safety and wellness. These are not just suggestions but fundamental rights in workplaces. We call on workers to find their voice and not allow fear to turn them mute in the face of this injustice because failure to act threatens their well-being. May South African workers and society at large use this year’s Worker’s Day commemorations to reflect on these injustices to revolt against it!

We wish all workers a peaceful and reflective May Day!

 

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For media enquiries

Betty Moleya

063 736 5533

 

For interviews please contact:

 

Ms Riefdah Ajam

FEDUSA General Secretary

079 696 2625

Mr Ashley Benjamin

FEDUSA Deputy General Secretary

083 258 4433

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