Cape Town – Good Party says Labor Day stands as a powerful reminder of the workers' struggles and the interests of the hard-working labor movement.
“It's time to celebrate the sacrifices made in pursuing fair employment standards, decent working conditions and a wider fight against apartheid injustice,” said Good Executive Director Brett Herron on Thursday (May 1, 2025).
“But it's difficult to truly celebrate Labor Day, as millions of South Africans remain excluded from the economy.”
The unemployment rate remains stubbornly high at 31.9%, drawing a harsh picture of economic hardships and social inequality.
“Of the 41.6 million working ages in South Africa (ages 15-64), 8 million are unemployed,” lamented Herron.
“A further 3.5 million people have given up on being completely looking for jobs categorized as people seeking a disappointing workplace.
“A further 13 million people are not active economically.”
Heron said this would result in 24.5 million South Africans not having a source of income to support themselves and their families.
He said these numbers reflect more than just statistics, representing a deeper sense of despair for real life, real families and many.
“On this Workers' Day, we remember and honor the past, but we also have to face the urgent need for bold and inclusive economic reforms that create jobs, support small businesses and provide real opportunities for people,” Heron said.
“Unless the country can achieve a sustained 5% economic growth rate, South Africa cannot reduce unemployment significantly anytime soon.”
Heron said the good party is pleading Finance Minister Enoch Godonwana not to reject his commitment to social spending.
“Social spending is neither luxury nor political favor,” Heron said. “That is a constitutional obligation.”
Heron said the state is obliged to care for the basic needs of tens of millions of South Africans who are unable to support themselves in an economy that is still undermined by inequality, unemployment and systemic exclusion.
“The struggle continues not only for workers' rights, but for the right to work itself,” he said.
