15/04/2020
Giving the working class and poor a fighting chance against Covid-19
Csaawu’s view is that we should make immediate demands around giving the working class and poor a fighting chance against the Covid-19 virus. We must mobilise the working class and poor masses to expose the system degrading them. With almost 40% unemployment in South Africa a lockdown is a death sentence. The majority of unemployed are depending on the streets for their survival. The streets have now become inaccessible to many to make a living. This will lead to an inevitable social unrest if a cure, not for the virus, but a cure for pending starvation and hopelessness are not found. The appeal is Csaawu’s attempt to contribute for finding a cure for this.
The demands are made in the context of the threat posed by the Covid-19 epidemic. Therefore, they are immediate demands that have the potential to mobilise not only the masses but the middle classes as a means to defend themselves. The working class and poor cannot just be the recipients of food hampers but must be mobilised to fight for their human dignity. Therefore the 5 demands identified by Csaawu is to mobilise the working class and poor and all the left and progressive forces in support of the poor masses. They are:
1. A Basic Income Grant- This grant should only be for the unemployed and for the most vulnerable in our society that will succumb to the virus. The BIG will give the most vulnerable in society a fighting chance against Covid-19.
2. Access to clean water. Most South Africans do not have access to clean drinking water. How are the poor going to fight the virus effectively if they don`t have access to clean drinking water? They are sitting ducks for the virus.
3. Moratorium on all evictions. The regulations instruct people to stay at home, yet we are still seeing people houses being demolished and people facing eviction. With this extra trauma being inflicted on the working class and poor, how can people be motivated to fight the virus?
4. Homeless people to be relocated to decent living quarters with access to clean water and sanitation. You must stay in your home, but many homeless people have no homes. They are now located in tents, which will be unable to stand against the winter rains, Cape storms and all social ills that will confront those staying in such conditions.
5. Access to land. People are living like sardines in many townships and squatter camps all over South Africa. The regulations demand social distancing, but it is impossible for people in these areas to even think of social distancing.
The present conditions the working class and poor find themselves in will be in fact a death sentence if the virus get a foothold amongst them. It will affect all South Africans if this happens.
These social conditions are making it impossible for the majority of the working class and poor masses to adhere to these regulations. Therefore, Csaawu appeals to all left and progressive forces of the working class to unite and make an application to the Con-court as a collective to include these demands in the regulations as the responsibility of the state. We must fight against a narrow view in this period, everyone in their own corner with unity limited to just signing statements together. Csaawu’s appeal is that the left throws its resources and skills together to approach the Con-court. Let the whole South Africa focus on this. This will also be in the interest of the middle class and their security that these demands be met. So we must also appeal to the middle classes and upper classes for support. This will draw in those working class and poor people that never was part of organisations into struggle as these demands speak directly to them. It will assist raising the consciousness of working class and poor people and have the potential in weakening the system in the minds of the poor masses of our people.
We therefore appeal to all organisations of the working class and poor masses to speak with one voice on this matter. To act in unison around the demand for a BIG. To throw resources together and file an urgent application to the Constitutional Court to declare the regulations invalid without the inclusion of the 5 basic demands to give the working and poor masses a fighting chance against the virus.
We call on the Constitutional Court to reprimand the state as the representative of all South Africans, and to ensure that the dignity of the working and poor masses is enforced with immediate effect through these 5 basic demands. This will reduce the chances of potential violence, the likes of which has not been seen in South Africa for a long time. Let the Constitutional Court pronounce on the inclusion of the five demands, and let the working class respond.
Forward to maximum unity of all left and progressive forces of the working class for a Basic Income Grant. Amandla!
Trevor Christians
General Secretary
CSAAWU
