NEWS about a planned national strike tomorrow (Wednesday, 25 April) has caused concern for residents around Durban.
In a press conference held on Monday, 23 April, the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) announced that on Wednesday 25 April, SAFTU, its affiliates and allies in civil society will take to the streets across the country in a general strike to protest “against the biggest attacks on working-class people, the trade unions and the poor majority of South Africans since the end of apartheid”.
#SAFTU President: Mac Chavalala getting feedback from Provincial Convenors on the state of readiness for the 25th April National Shutdown#SAFTUstrike pic.twitter.com/NZwkpBIsSb
— SAFTU (@SAFTU_media) April 16, 2018
In an official statement, SAFTU said its support is growing daily and they are confident they will bring South Africa to a standstill
and fill the towns and villages with angry workers, employed and unemployed, member of all unions or none, who are demanding action to end the country’s unemployment, poverty and inequality.
READ: Large street protests in South Africa against Zuma
SAFTU will assemble at Botha’s Place, and plans to march to Durban City Hall, Departments of Labour, Economic Development and the Premier’s and Mayor’s offices.
COSATU has moved to dispel rumours that it is part of the strike. It said although it supports the National Minimum Wage, it will not join in the planned strike action.
On top of the bus strike, SAFTU wants the country to be on stand still tomorrow. They want the few workers lucky enough to have jobs in SA to march against proposed minimum wage bill. Wonderful, let's risk the few jobs we have.
— Unathi Kwaza (@Unathi_Kwaza) April 24, 2018
“We have noted with deep concern the misleading statements by some leaders of SAFTU, who have been claiming that COSATU will join the planned strike on Wednesday, 25 April. We want to make it clear that this is totally not true and COSATU is not part of the planed strike. We condemn the mischievous attempt to confuse our members by SAFTU,” said Cosatu spokesman, Sizwe Pamla.
Pamla said the minimum wage will be a huge achievement which will see wages rise for the 47% of workers (six million people) who earn less than R20 an hour currently. This represents the foundation that will help build towards the goal of a living wage.
“The strike on Wednesday is based on fabrication, misrepresentation and outlandish conspiracy theories,” said Pamla.
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