A war still to be won

Workers in South Africa are yet to access a better life and are trapped in poverty wages, a labour activist said.

“It is common knowledge that workers and the working class, in general, are yet to access a better life as they remain trapped in poverty wages. The wage gap, which is characterised to a large degree by race, continues to perpetuate racial polarisation between workers in the same industry,” said labour activist, Ngako Elifas Ngoepe. “A battle to bring about better working conditions, safer work environment, job security, a living wage and so forth remains an ongoing battle by workers and the working class, in general, the world over.”

Ngoepe said access to mine housing still reflected racial stereotypes with mine hostels remaining 100 percent African, whilst their white counterparts were offered decent family accommodation in nearby suburbs. “Similarly, squatter camps that envelopes the mining areas are characterised by high levels of stinking poverty with neither sewer systems nor adequate water supply.”