The leadership of organised business, labour, community and government at the National Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) has urged all employers to support and allow their employees vote in the upcoming general elections on May 29.

Nedlac explains that while election day is a public holiday, there are still those who are required to work, such as those in the essential services and in the retail and agricultural sectors.

“Our democracy is only sustainable if every registered voter is allowed to vote on election day,” Nedlac said.

The Labour Council encouraged all employers to observe election day as a paid public holiday and, where possible, to give workers the day off. 

“This will enable all eligible workers to cast their votes and reduce pressure on voting stations as people rush to vote at night. It will also avoid voters being at risk of crime at night,” it said.

It added that for those employers providing an essential service or needing to work on election day, they should provide adequate time to for their staff to go to their voting stations.

The Labour Council also requests that where it may not be practically possible for workers, and where it is absolutely essential for them to be at work or on the road, the Labour Council encourages them to go to their nearest Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) office at their municipality to register for a special vote.

Registration for special votes closes on May 3.

It notes that on April 27 South Africa collectively celebrated 30 years since the achievement of its constitutional democracy.

“…a month later, South Africans will be heading to the polls in our seventh democratic elections. The social partners at Nedlac believe that it is important to enable all voters to exercise their fundamental constitutional right to participate in the election and cast their votes.”

“We are determined as the leadership of social partners and government to help nourish and honour our proud history as a nation of holding elections whose integrity is beyond reproach. We pledge to do all we can to help contribute to free, fair and credible elections,” it said.