20100829
reuters

Pretoria — President Jacob Zuma has reiterated that whilst government fully understands workers frustrations caused by low salaries, protest actions should be undertaken within the ambit of the law and basic human decency.

"We fully understand the frustrations caused by the legacy of low salaries and slow progression for some categories of workers, which is something that the democratic government has been gradually addressing since 1994. We also respect the right of workers to go on strike in support of their demands.

"However, we reiterate that protest actions should be undertaken within the ambit of the law and basic human decency," said Zuma, speaking at the funeral of former deputy minister and struggle hero Joe Matthews in Cape Town on Saturday.

He said while great strides had been made to promote and entrench and promote worker rights and that government would always defend worker rights, the actions of workers should also not deviate from the collective commitment - as both government and public servants - to be a caring government and a caring society.

"The abandonment of patients, including babies in incubators, as well as school children, is difficult to comprehend and accept, no matter how sympathetic one is to the needs of workers," said the President.

He was confident that negotiations between government and unions would find a solution soon, "and help the country to get out of this unpleasant situation as quickly as possible".

"At the end of the day, we all have to put the interests of the country and South Africans first," added Zuma.

He described the late Mathews as an accomplished writer, legal practitioner, intellectual and freedom fighter who played a major role in shaping progressive intellectual thought during the 1950s, 60s and other periods during the struggle.

He said Mathews made a sterling contribution to the country's history and was someone who promoted unity.