Party leader - Cancel Workers' Day!

THERE is no point to celebrate Workers' Day in Mzansi.

This is according to the South African Rainbow Alliance (Sara).

Sara president Colleen Makhubele said on Tuesday, 30 April that going around celebrating the day on 1 May every year was an insult in a country with majority of its people not working.

"What's the point of Workers' Day with more people, especially women, out of work and without sanitary pads in South Africa? Rather give unemployed women pads in every public toilet instead of condoms. They need the holiday from borrowing money for sanitary pads," she said.

She claimed that the government valued sex more than unemployed women and girls.

"Using a condom for sex is a choice, but unemployed women and girls have no choice when it comes to monthly menstrual cycles. With the high cost of living and rising global crises, it is unemployed women and girls who suffer the most and are unduly embarrassed," said Makhubele.

The outspoken leader called on the government to cancel the Workers' Day for an unemployed nation.

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"Is Workers' Day for the unemployed? Nearly half of South African Women are out of labour force and jobless. It's harder for women to find work compared to men with over 50% of South African women recorded as economically inactive. As a result, they can't afford basic necessities especially, sanitary pads on a monthly basis," said Makhubele. 

She emphasised that the labour market continues to favour men and shows no signs of making real progress towards improving prospects for women. Makhubele pointed out that over the years, the unemployment rate for women remained above the national average.

Sara has called for the establishment of "Equal Opportunity Commission", a body that will protect and uphold the rights of women against the "Glass Ceiling Syndrome" and victimisation of women in all industries.

"This will be the women ombudsman in fighting gender-based subtle abuse in the workplace and especially the political, arts and sports and corporate space," said Makhubele.