The African National Congress (ANC) is not attacking the labour movement when it says it needs to be strengthened, the organisation said on Tuesday.
”Comments suggesting that the ANC is trying to belittle, abuse, ridicule or undermine the contribution of workers in the fight for freedom are wrong and misplaced,” said the ANC in a statement.
The party said it was concerned by the ANC’s alliance partners’ response to a national executive committee (NEC) discussion on strengthening the labour movement.
”While frankly acknowledging the strengths and weaknesses of the labour movement, the NEC discussion does not suggest that the labour movement is dysfunctional.”
The ANC said its NEC was trying to strengthen the South African labour movement to ”safeguard the interests of workers and advance the process of transformation”.
Debate would continue both within ANC ranks and with its alliance partners about how to strengthen all parts of the alliance.
”We believe that a stronger alliance is dependant on alliance partners allowing each other space to debate issues without fear or favour.
”The alliance remains the leading social force for progressive change,” said the ANC. — Sapa