Tag: Labor Day

    Statement of the Socialist Party on Labour Day – May 1, 2020

    Statement of the Socialist Party on Labour Day – May 1, 2020

    May 1, 2020 by Socialist Party Zambia in

    Our country is currently going through unprecedented times, jobs are being lost, working conditions are deteriorating, job insecurity is high, poverty is rapidly increasing. And today, on Labour Day, May Day, our people are reminded that they are steering through not only the Covid-19 pandemic but also the jobs crisis with inept, greedy and dishonest leadership.

    Let’s not forget that Labour Day started when Chicago police massacred workers and revolutionaries who were fighting for an eight-hour workday. Back then, workers drudged through ten, twelve-hour shifts.

    Today many workers in this country face the same long hours at dangerous work and still barely make enough money to get by.

    But for some of us, instead of working too much, we can’t find work at all.

    This has to change. Change must come. We have to struggle for a better order, a better society. And all need to participate, play a role.

    A strong labour movement is needed and remains crucial to us. Union membership is falling, and organised labour is becoming marginalised. Workers’ concerns are not addressed, and they feel bewildered, leaderless and helpless. Not surprisingly, they turn to crooked politicians that pander to their fears and insecurity, but offer no realistic solutions or inspiring leadership to improve their lives.

    Clearly, an apolitical approach to trade union issues can’t do. Organised labour must be part of the mass movement for the struggle for a more just, more fair, more humane and peaceful Zambia.

    It gets dark sometimes but the morning comes. Let’s not lose hope; a better Zambia is possible if we struggle for it. And it’s our duty to struggle for it.

    Let all the workers of this country join the struggle for a socialist Zambia.

    Issued by Fred M’membe on behalf of the Politburo of Socialist Party

    Garden Compound, Lusaka

    Statement on International Workers’ Day

    Statement on International Workers’ Day

    April 30, 2018 by Fred M'membe in

    Revolutionary May 1 greetings to all those who toil!

    May 1 is not simply a day  of celebration for the working class, their trade unions and  political parties – socialist parties.

    On this day, we are reminded about why the flag of working class organisations – trade unions, political parties – is red. “Our life’s blood has dyed its every fold,” goes the traditional labour song.

    We know that for the working class, its authentic trade unions and political parties the road ahead is tortuous, full of twists and turns.

    Therefore, for the working class and its organisations May 1 is a day for casting away illusions and preparing for struggle. It is a time to unite all working class forces against real class enemies.

    On a day like this we are reminded that not all those who wave the red flag or claim to speak for the working class actually do so.

    May 1 started when Chicago police massacred workers and revolutionaries who were fighting for an eight-hour workday. Back then, workers drudged through ten, twelve-hour shifts.

    Today, workers face the same long hours at dangerous work and still barely make enough money to get by.

    But for some, instead of working too much, they can’t find work at all, or can’t get enough hours in the clocking jobs they  have.

    What we need to realise is that this unemployment is not primarily due to globalised labour markets, but to mechanisation, digitisation or the shift from formal to real domination of capital.

    Therefore, this struggle is for the unemployed and precariously employed people too.

    To overcome these challenges is going to take serious effort to develop the working class theoretically and strategically as a class.

    A big reason why so many workers are out of work is because they been replaced by machines – excavators, combine-harvesters, ATMs and so on and so forth.

    In a more just, fair and humane world, it would be a good thing to have machines to do boring, dangerous, backbreaking work. It would mean that the workers have more time to learn, to be creative, to worship and develop themselves spiritually, to spend time with family and friends.

    But this isn’t a just, fair and humane world. This is capitalism. Workers produce enough to feed, house, and clothe every person on the planet, but millions starve and live without homes, proper sanitation, clean water, education, health services. This is because with capitalism the fundamental reason we produce things like food, houses, and clothing is not to use them, but to make a profit for the rich.

    An alternative world is possible, where workers  can produce what they  need in order to use it, and where they all have a say in what they make and how they make it. So how do workers get there? It’s through socialism and the Socialist Party!

    It’s only socialism and socialism alone that can help us solve these problems and create a more just, fair and humane society.