Don’t Blame Migrants, Fix the Economy, Says IKORA

Political organisation Independent Komani Ratepayers Association (IKORA) has condemned what it describes as attempts to “scapegoat migrants” for South Africa’s unemployment and poverty, arguing that decades of neoliberal economic policy are the real cause of the country’s social crisis.

In a media statement released this week, IKORA said poor migrants were being used as a diversion from structural failures that have devastated working-class communities across the country.

The organisation pointed to privatization, austerity measures, labour market deregulation, and deindustrialization as key drivers of job losses and inequality.

It cited the closure of factories at the Queendustria Ezibeleni industrial complex near Komani as an example. “Most factories in the complex have closed. What became of those thousands of workers and their families?” the statement asked.

“Factories have closed, public services have deteriorated, and millions have been pushed into unemployment and precarious work,” IKORA said. “While the wealthy accumulate record profits, both South African and migrant workers are forced to compete for scarce jobs, housing, and basic services.”

IKORA rejected the narrative that migrants are responsible for unemployment, crime, or collapsing services. It described xenophobia as a “dangerous and reactionary response” that divides people who are exploited by the same economic system.

“When working-class communities turn against one another, political and economic elites escape accountability for systemic failure,” the organisation said. It added that blaming vulnerable groups is “a hallmark of right-wing politics worldwide.”

Instead of division, IKORA called for solidarity and sweeping policy change. Its demands include: massive public investment in industrialization to create sustainable jobs, reversal of neoliberal austerity measures,expansion of quality public services for all, living wages and decent work, strong action against corruption and corporate profiteering, protection of workers’ rights regardless of nationality and working-class unity across national, ethnic, and racial lines

“Our struggle is not against fellow Africans, migrants, refugees, or asylum seekers. Our struggle is against poverty, exploitation, inequality, unemployment, and an economic system that places profit before people,” the statement said.

The organisation concluded: “The answer to unemployment is not xenophobia. The answer is economic justice. The answer is not division. The answer is solidarity.”