S.Africa: MASSIVE STRIKES BY BLACKS: Workers take to SA city streets to call for rethink on austerity measures, job cuts and price hikes
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Workers from multiple unions painted the streets red in a day of national strike action, with a memorandum handed over at Parliament in Cape Town that called for the creation of more jobs, a decrease in electricity prices, and safe working conditions.
On Monday supporters of the trade union federation Cosatu took to the streets of the city in Cape Town and Sandton in Johannesburg — and other centres in the country —to demand speedy implementations of the Zondo commission of inquiry into State Capture and the National Health Insurance Bill, for the government to stop its “misplaced” pursuit of austerity measures and a call for reduced interest rates, among other things.
The Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) also joined the day of action.
In Johannesburg, the Cosatu march started at the George Lea Park in Sandton. Most of the workers were in high spirits and dressed in red Cosatu regalia.
Cosatu spokesperson Zanele Sabela said: “We are saying the high unemployment rate and retrenchments in the country are untenable and unacceptable. That is why we are marching to the JSE.”
Large retailers were targeted about plans to retrench staff, and Discovery was also targeted for its opposition to the National Health Insurance Act (NHI), which was recently passed into law.
For many years now South Africa’s economic growth has been very sluggish, with the National Treasury projecting 1.6% growth in the country in the next three years. The slow growth has resulted in slow job creation and countless job losses for the employed.
The Cape Town march began in Hanover Street close to a Cape Peninsula University of Technology learning centre. Affiliated and non-affiliated unions including Fedusa, SAvDemocratic Teachers Union, and the SA Clothing and Textile Workers Union marched to the Western Cape provincial Legislature in Wale St and national Parliament to hand over the memorandum.
Day of solidarity
Calling for a day of solidarity for job seekers and the working class, Cosatu’s provincial secretary in the Western Cape, Malvern de Bruyn, said: “We’ve seen the cost of living skyrocket and we feel the government should do more.”
The memorandum handed to Parliament focused on “a long list” that included questions on crime, job losses, GBV, generative value to the workplace and the implementation of labour laws.
The threat to cut teacher posts amid budget austerity measures also came under fire.
Daily Maverick spoke to a few protesters in Cape Town.
Theresa Anthony, a worker, said: “I am joining the march because of the high cost of living. I have to work and put food on the table, but it is hard because the price of electricity is high and jobs are scarce,” she said.
COSATU and various other trade unions marched to parliament during the nationwide strike on October 07, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa. The group protested over the economic crisis which is characterised by high unemployment rate, poverty and income inequality. (Photo: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)
Another worker and protester, Nathan Williams, said: “We want the government to feel our pain because everything is going up, but our wages are the same. We don’t have money to send to our children (and) electricity is also going up,” said Williams.
According to Fedusa General Secretary Riefdah Ajam the intent was to raise concerns on the escalating cost of living crisis.
“We are calling for decency. We are finding that poverty is what faces workers due to the cost of electricity and transport. These prices are leaving workers with no disposable income. The government must intervene to make sure that we are not left on our knees every year,” said Ajam.
Another worker who took part, Zakhele Mqhobhozi, stated: “We want all prices to go down today. The food prices have increased, we want them to decrease. We did not go to work today, we are here to fight for our rights so that the government may decrease prices… We are being abused here, they hire people from across the border, and after that South Africans do not work and the government allows it because they tax them.”
Absent from school
As a result of Sadtu’s participation in the strike, many teachers were absent from school. Some schools issued prior notices asking children to stay at home as most teachers are Sadtu affiliates.
Cosatu’s De Bruyn said that teacher posts must not be cut amid budget pressures as this would aggravate the unemployment crisis.
“The DA government (in the Western Cape) wanted to dismiss over 2,400 teachers. We say no to that, because… if those people have been dismissed, those 2,400 teachers will be affected,” said De Bruyn.
COSATU and various other trade unions marched to parliament during the nationwide strike on October 07, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa. The group protested over the economic crisis which is characterised by high unemployment rate, poverty and income inequality. (Photo: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)
Sadtu Deputy Secretary in the Western Cape, Kenneth Williams, said they joined the march to also call for the government not to cut jobs.
“One reason that we are joining the March today is because of the cutting of the 2,407 posts by the department, and blaming it on austerity measures. When it comes to job losses, our youngsters are not getting jobs. Companies are closing, and it seems that the government is not doing anything to stop the bloodbath out there,” said Williams.
Not everyone showed support for the strike action. In Johannesburg, Sandton resident Dale Quintas said: “It’s a waste of time. Cosatu has lost all relevance. The march will not achieve anything except for being used by Cosatu to claw back into relevance at the expense of the poor workers.”
The Cosatu strike, which coincided with World Day for Decent Work, was hailed by Cosatu members as a huge success.
“It’s an important day for workers across the country, and we are confident that the action today will help move some parts in the labour and employment sphere,” Cosatu’s Monyela said.
Alternative routes
Several streets in Sandton were closed and motorists were directed to alternative routes, while Catherine Street has been closed from this past weekend following an event.
“We have deployments across the country monitoring the strike. We can confirm that all systems are in place. The strike will be protected but all individuals are urged to act responsibly.” National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure Colonel Athlenda Mathe said.
According to Statistics South Africa, the country’s unemployment rate rose to 33.5% in the second quarter of 2024 from 32.9% in the first quarter. The agency said the number of unemployed people rose to 8,384 million in April and June this year from 8,226 million in January and March.
Under an expanded definition of unemployment, which includes those discouraged from seeking work, 42.6% were jobless in the second quarter compared with 41.9% in the previous quarter.
South Africa has one of the highest unemployment rates in the world. DM
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