The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and Workers’ World Media Productions are hosting the 6th Annual Labour Film Festival nationwide, which commences on Wednesday, 13 April at 6pm at the Ekhaya Centre in Diepkloof, Soweto.
The opening night will include speeches by leaders from Cosatu and trade union federations from Tunisia and Egypt. This year the film festival forms part of the two organisations’ Mass Education Campaign that seeks to educate workers and poor communities on issues affecting them. The particular focus is on the pending takeover of MassMart, the owners of Game, Dion and Builder’s Warehouse, by the US company Wal-mart. Cosatu and its affiliated trade unions have opposed the buyout and several of the films focus on the experiences of workers and communities in North America. Walmart is the biggest company and employer in the US and reputed to be one of the most anti-union in the world.
The 6th Annual Labour Film Festival will be held in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London and Durban, at venues located in areas most accessible to working class people. Entry to the festival is free and those organisations and individuals who wish to attend should book their places by phoning, 011 336 1877 or 021 447 2727.
