Unions expect SONA to address labour issues
Cosatu want government to recommit itself in creating decent work.
Expectations are high today as President Jacob Zuma is expected to deliver his State of the Nation Address(SONA).
South Africans from all walks of life are expecting the president to address the issue of the economy which is currently at its knees.
Employment is another area of concern for many, especially the youth.
The Confederation of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) is expecting labour issues to be high on the agenda on the SONA tonight.
The federation expect the president’s speech to present a strategy which will deal with retrenchment especially in the mining sector.
“The federation expects the president to revisit the previous commitments made by government of creating decent work and sustainable livelihoods for all and also of improving our education and health systems,” said Cosatu’s Sizwe Pamla.
Unemployment is currently at 34% according to the federation and it can rise due to retrenchment.
Pamla said, “The economy is not absorbing any new entrants to the labour market and government has completely missed all its job creation targets. Something drastic needs to be done to change the status quo and we expect the SONA to articulate that.”
President Zuma will deliver his SONA tonight in Parliament in Cape Town at 7pm.
