GOOD Statement by Brett Herron ,
GOOD Secretary-General
01 May 2025
Workers’ Day stands as a powerful reminder of the struggles and hard-won gains of workers and the labour movement. It is a time to honour the sacrifices made in the pursuit of fair employment standards, decent working conditions, and the broader fight against the injustices of apartheid.
However, it is difficult to truly celebrate Workers’ Day when millions of South Africans remain excluded from the economy. The unemployment rate remains stubbornly high at 31.9%, painting a stark picture of economic hardship and social inequality.
Out of 41.6 million people of working age in South Africa (15–64 years), 8 million are unemployed. An additional 3.5 million have given up looking for work entirely, classified as discouraged work seekers. A further 13 million are not economically active. This leaves 24.5 million South Africans without a source of income to support themselves or their families.
These numbers reflect more than just statistics, they represent real lives, real families, and a deepening sense of hopelessness for many. On this Workers’ Day, while we remember and honour the past, we must also confront the urgent need for bold, inclusive economic reform that creates jobs, supports small businesses, and provides real opportunities for our people. Unless the country can achieve a sustained economic growth rate of 5%, South Africa will not be able to meaningfully reduce unemployment anytime soon.
As the Minister of Finance prepares to table the Budget for the third time. GOOD calls on minister Enoch Godongwana not to renege on his commitment to social spending. Social expenditure is not a luxury, nor a political favour. It is a constitutional obligation. The State bears the duty to care for the basic needs of the tens of millions of South Africans who are unable to support themselves in an economy still marred by inequality, unemployment, and systemic exclusion.
The struggle continues, not just for workers’ rights, but for the right to work itself.
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