Cosatu, the Congress of South African Trade Unions, has urged non-essential workers to participate in a National Day of Action on Monday, 7 October. The call comes as the country faces an economic crisis marked by rising unemployment, deepening poverty, and stark inequality. The federation has emphasized that joblessness in South Africa is at an alarming rate, with over 11.3 million people out of work.
Unemployment Crisis: The Core Grievance
Cosatu’s primary concern is South Africa’s exceptionally high unemployment rate. The federation has specifically demanded a halt to retrenchments, arguing that it is counterproductive to cut jobs when millions of citizens are already unemployed.
Zanele Sabela, Cosatu’s national spokesperson, pointed to significant job losses this year, such as the retrenchments at the SA Post Office and the metals company Sibanye Stillwater. Additionally, Seriti, a mining company, recently announced plans to cut over 1,100 jobs. Sabela stressed the broader impact of job cuts, noting that “one job supports seven people on average.”
Retrenchments and Their Ripple Effect
Sabela highlighted ongoing discussions between the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (Saccawu) and Pick n Pay, a major retailer, over its plan to retrench thousands of workers. These large-scale retrenchments are devastating, affecting not just individual workers but entire families and communities.
The Escalating Cost of Living: A National Concern
Alongside unemployment, Cosatu expressed concerns over the escalating cost of living. With inflation on the rise, the federation pointed to an increase in essential costs, particularly in the energy sector. Eskom, the national electricity provider, has proposed a massive tariff hike of over 36% for 2025, following a 12.5% increase earlier this year. If approved, this hike could spark inflation and further economic difficulties for South Africans, leading to higher interest rates and slower economic growth.
Cosatu criticized austerity measures, arguing that budget cuts are damaging the education system and threatening the quality of schooling for South Africa’s children. Workers, according to Cosatu, have had enough.
Nationwide Protests Planned for 7 October
Cosatu’s planned national strike will feature protest marches across South Africa. In Johannesburg, workers will gather at George Lea Park in Sandton and march to the JSE, where a memorandum will be delivered to various organizations, including Business Unity South Africa (Busa) and the National Treasury.
In Cape Town, protesters will march to the provincial legislature and national Parliament. Meanwhile, in KwaZulu-Natal, workers will march to Durban City Hall. While it’s hard to predict the turnout, Cosatu expects a significant number of workers to participate.
The strike will comply with section 77 of the Labour Relations Act, ensuring legal protection for participants against disciplinary action. Sabela noted that essential workers, such as healthcare professionals and police, will not be eligible to strike, as their roles are considered critical for the safety and well-being of the public.
Concerns Raised by Business Unity South Africa (Busa)
Business Unity South Africa (Busa) expressed concerns over the planned strike. Busa acknowledged the legal right to strike but stated that such protests would not resolve the structural issues Cosatu raised. Cas Coovadia, Busa’s CEO, urged for stability and collaboration to promote long-term economic recovery, stating that nationwide strikes only add more pressure to an already struggling economy.
Busa has called for a review of section 77 of the Labour Relations Act, suggesting that the time between certifications for protests and the protests themselves should be limited to 12 months. This would ensure that protests remain relevant to current issues.
Cosatu’s Response: Raising Worker Voices
Despite Busa’s concerns, Cosatu emphasized that the National Day of Action aims to raise awareness and give workers a platform to voice their frustrations. Sabela pointed out that policies are political choices, and through protest, workers can influence government decision-making.
The day of protest, according to Cosatu, is an opportunity to bring attention to critical issues facing the country and ensure that workers’ concerns are addressed in future policies.