Cosatu to march over low wages, inflation and load-shedding

POLOKWANE – The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) in Limpopo said they will embark on numerous marches across the province to commemorate the International Day for Decent Work.

The union’s national day of action is set to take place across all five districts in Limpopo on Friday (October 7) and will address issues of employment, low-wages, economic issues and load-shedding among others.

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Cosatu Limpopo’s provincial organiser Mamodula Toekie Kgabo said workers should be able to organise and participate in the decisions that affect their lives, where there is equality of opportunities and treatment for all women and men.

“Decent work must provide better prospects for personal development, social integration, and freedom for people to express their concerns,” he said.

Kgabo added that workers have no option but to go on strike to demand action to bridge the wage gap in the face of rampant inflation, high fuel prices, high electricity costs, devastating food prices as this is depriving households and communities of any chance of a decent life and a decent future.

Cosatu members are expected to gather in the following areas:

· Capricorn District – Polokwane (SABC Park)

· Mopani District – Letaba (Kgapane)

· Sekhukhune District – Fetakgomo (Apel)

· Vhembe District – Collins Chabane (Malamulele)

· Waterberg – Bela Bela

Kgabo said they will also hand over memorandums to the South African Police Service on Gender Based Violence and Femicide.

“The escalating and continuous hateful killings of women and children is shocking. Cosatu calls on all communities to work hand in hand with the authorities in ensuring that the perpetrators are apprehended and sentenced,” he said.

Meanwhile, Cosatu’s national spokesperson Sizwe Pamla said government’s increase of austerity measures such as tax increases has led to massive reductions in all aspects of social and economic benefits to the people including wages, retirement benefits and pensions, health and education and social welfare transfers.

Pamla said the number of people suffering from depression and mental illness has increased as a consequence of attacks on working people’s livelihoods.

“As more working people are attacked, through salary cuts, job losses and foreclosures, inequalities have widened. South African workers built this country’s economy and they continue to keep its wheels turning. They deserve a decent  living wage and working conditions,” he said.