The strike is in opposition of the new National Minimum Wage Bill and other changes to labour laws. The union feels that the minimum amount of R20 an hour is not enough for an average family to survive on. The minimum for farm workers will be R18, R15 for domestic workers and R11 for workers employed by the External Public Works programme.
Also Read: Shoprite Checkers workers embark on a three-day strike
Saftu’s Zwelinzima Vavi said he believed these rates “would entrench poverty, make inequalities a permanent feature of the labour market and represent an insult to the very idea that we were promised a better life for all”. He asked parliament to reject these rates “and that in the honour of the Marikana martyrs who died for a R12 500 salary, we have to talk about those rates”.
It is uncertain how the strike will affect Roodepoort and to what degree the day will be disrupted.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!