Some suggest that unemployment rates are high because of laziness or a dependency effect created by social grants, but numerous studies have failed to find empirical support for these claims. The one drum of this kind that continues to be beaten is the claim that...
wage
Hands off COSATU
How ironic that the attack on COSATU comes from within. Ironic but not unexpected. Supporters of the SACP/ANC faction in COSATU want to get rid of Vavi as he is too independent minded and too critical of Zuma and the government. He has been outspoken against the...
End rural slavery in South Africa!
During the month of November last year, the world watched farm workers strikes, particularly those working in vineyards in the Western Cape Province, in South Africa. They were protesting against exploitation and poor working and living conditions on farms, demanding...
The 2013/14 Budget: One step forward, two steps backwards
This budget takes one step forward, only to take two steps backwards. It is delivered in a deepening economic and social crisis. In our country, this is highlighted by desperate struggles for basic needs. We have seen this in Marikana and the mineworkers' and...
Amplats’ Restructuring: reflective of broader trends
Anglo's platinum operations are not "unprofitable". Rather, they are not "profitable enough". Plans to restructure will jeopardize the income of 14 000 workers and more than 100 000 dependents. AMCUs call to nationalize in response reflects the growing consensus on...
Farm strikes: Radical changes needed.
Farm workers began the centennial year of the 1913 Land Act with a continuation of the most militant industrial action in the sector in decades. On January 9th, various Western Cape farming towns were turned into warzones as protestors demanding an increase to a...
Tebogo: the plight of a female mineworker| by Jeanne Hefez
My name is Tibugo, I'm one of the strike committee leaders at Anglo American in Rustenburg. I work as a PTV (personnel transport vehicle operator) at Amplats, I do mostly pipe work. Sometimes I clean the tunnels. It's extremely labor intensive. I've been here for a...
The spectre of equality Platinum: the politics of a simple wage demand | by Amandla! editorial staff
For two months Angloplats refused to negotiate over the minimum demand for R16,500 per month before tax and deductions – a variation of the demand for a living wage of R12,500 in hand that spread like wildfire in the mining industry. The bosses repeatedly sent...
Euro crisis: the economics of class warfare
Conversation with Özlem Onaran From the start, the neoliberal project in Europe was marked by a striking pro-capital redistribution of income, wealth and power. This seemed to be a good solution to overcome the profitability crisis, but it sowed the seeds of another...






