The Unfinished Struggle: Why Workers’ Rights Are Central to True Freedom

The Unfinished Struggle: Why Workers’ Rights Are Central to True Freedom

A Workers’ Day call to action highlighting how economic justice remains the missing link in South Africa’s freedom, with a focus on community-based and SRHR workers.
The Unfinished Struggle: Why Workers’ Rights Are Central to True Freedom

As we close out Freedom Month, we are reminded that political freedom without economic justice remains incomplete. Thirty-two years into democracy, many workers in South Africa especially women, young people, and those in community-based roles continue to labour under conditions that fall short of the promise of dignity, safety, and equality.

At the Soul City Institute, we witness this reality daily through our work on the ground. Community mobilisers operate at the frontlines of change, often with limited resources and inadequate protection. Our Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) programme teams work tirelessly to advance access to healthcare, bodily autonomy, and gender justice. Facilitators and peer educators create and hold critical safe spaces for young people navigating complex social and health challenges. These workers are essential to advancing health, rights, and social justice in our country. Yet their labour remains too often undervalued, underpaid, and invisible. This reflects a deep contradiction within our democracy: those who are doing the work of building a just and equitable society are not always afforded justice in their own working conditions.

Workers’ Day must therefore be more than a moment of recognition it must serve as a call to action.

To truly honour the spirit of freedom, we call for:

  • Increased investment in and protection of community-based workers
  • Fair pay, safe working conditions, and access to psychosocial support
  • Recognition of care work and social impact work as essential labour
  • Meaningful inclusion of frontline workers’ voices in decision-making processes

The work of liberation did not end in 1994. It continues in communities across the country, led by workers who remain committed to advancing dignity, health, and justice for all.

Freedom will remain incomplete until every worker is able to live and work with dignity.

Ends.

Media Enquiries:
Akona Zibonti
Communications Officer
Soul City Institute
akona@soulcity.org.za/0746045799

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