COSATUNW election statement 27-02-06

 

Every worker must be able to vote!

COSATU North West condemns the denial of farm and domestic workers, by individual farm owners, of the right to go and exercise their right to vote on 1 March 2006.

It was very clear last weekend, during the COSATU mobilisation for workers to vote ANC, in particular in the farming areas, that many workers have been intimidated by individual employers who have said that those who will not go to work on 1 March during Election Day will lose their job.

Some are told to go to the voting station after knock-off time which is 18h00, and have to travel over 60km to their registered voting station. In most areas where we were campaigning it was clear that those who support other political parties than the ANC look likely to be permitted to go and vote. As COSATU we view this as arrogance and racism.

COSATU North West wants to remind the employers that 1 March is a public holiday for every worker and all members of society to go and access their democratic rights as South Africans. No workers should be forced to work on that day.

We are requesting all farm workers and those in other sectors to report the matter immediately. If employers refuse them permission to vote, or threaten their rights on that day, reports should go to individual affiliates, the COSATU Provincial Office, local COSATU Officer Bearers and the IEC offices in their locality as soon as possible.

Lastly, COSATU North West also condemns those who are standing as independent candidates. We want to declare once again in public that we are not and we will not support the so-called independent candidates. We are appealing to all of them to withdraw their names from the IEC and remain loyal members of the ANC and continue to advance the interests of the movemen5t.

Our team is on the ground, in particular in the farm areas to make sure that the ANC wins the election of 1 March. All workers, let's go out on 1 march and vote for the ANC

For more information please phone the COSATU North West Provincial Office on 018 462 2406 or the Provincial Secretary, Solly Phetoe, on 082 418 0750.