S.A. Mine Killings: 'Why African Leaders Must Protect Workers' Rights

AGAINST the backdrop of recent massacre of mine workers in South Africa, African leaders have been charged to ensure that the rights of workers and citizens are not trampled upon if the socio-political development and freedom of their countries would be guaranteed.The immediate past Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Anthony Agbo, made the call while speaking with reporters in Enugu, at the weekend.He expressed disbelief that the horrendous killing of innocent civilians could take place in a democratic South Africa, pointing out that leaders should encourage dialogue and civility in dealing with citizens.Wondering why the issue of wage increase should attract highhanded censure, Agbo said: 'I watched with deep horror, the unbelievable images of South African mine workers being mowed down by police bullets as they protested for wage increase. That image was too shocking, too horrific and too barbaric for a post-apartheid, black-ruled South Africa.'This kind of massacre, under the defunct apartheid regime, could have instigated most nations' capital into uncontrollable street protests and demonstrations. This should be the worst and saddest day for self-ruled South Africa, all Africans, the world labour community and believers of human rights across the world.'Agbo said that the South African government must rise to the occasion to exact justice in the most transparent manner to these unfortunate workers who he said had to die for struggling for better livelihood for their families.He stressed that unless this is done, the leaders would have sent a signal that the nation does not deserve the freedom it got from apartheid.The Senator regretted that most political leaders on the continent easily go down the way of intimidation and use of force in situations that would ordinarily be resolved through dialogue and appeal to reason.He pleaded with all leaders and public officials charged with the welfare of workers to always explore the option of collective bargaining, insisting that it is erroneous to believe that no labour dispute could be easily and timely resolved through dialogue and openness.'My appeal is that our leaders should operate the superior agenda of peaceful resolution of disputes. It is painfully becoming a pattern for workers to be maligned and mistreated whenever they raise a voice for better conditions of service or increase in emoluments. We should remember that democracy abhors the use of force,' Agbo said.
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