Cosatu marches for decent work and against inequality

Workers from Cosatu affiliates took to the streets in major centres around the country in a general strike to highlight income inequality, poverty and high unemployment on the International Day of Decent Work.

Some of the main demands and issues raised by the union federation include decent job creation for millions that are unemployed, the government to place a moratorium on retrenchments, the end of attacks on collective bargaining, the rising cost of living (of food and electricity especially), crime, corruption and privatisation of state-owned enterprises.

In Cape Town

The march went to the provincial legislature and to national parliament. The strike in Cape Town saw workers from Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) unions marching side by side with those affiliated to Cosatu (Congress of the South African Trade Unions). The workers’ march arrived outside of the Western Cape legislature in Wale street, meeting there a pro-Palestine protest led by the Muslim Judicial Council. Public order policing members insisted on a barricade between the two groups even though the union leadership made it clear that they wanted the pro-Palestine group and the workers to mingle in mutual solidarity.

“The separation between the two groups is a deliberate act to create a wrong picture. It only serves those who oppress us. The workers struggle here is the same as those in Palestine,” said Thando Dedezane, the district chairperson of the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco). Addressing the workers, Sheik Riad Fataar from the Muslim Judicial Council said that the workers should continue to fight for their rights.

Addressing workers outside of parliament, Cosatu central executive council member, Bonita Loubser said that they are not happy that the trade union federation was not consulted on who should form part of the government of national unity. “Since the formation of the GNU, we have seen a continuation of attacks on workers rights, collective bargaining, privatisation and retrenchments. We will not standby idly whilst these attacks take place. We want to engage with the GNU through the social dialogue platform,” she said.

Speaking to Elitsha, Cosatu’s deputy chairperson in the Western Cape, Andile Ngqaneka said that the rising cost of living, especially the electricity tariffs and food prices, have had a negative impact on workers in the retail sector. “Some workers in the retail sector do not even have guaranteed hours of work. Their hours fluctuate. They do not know how much they are going to earn by the end of the week until they see the schedule. One week they might earn a bit more and sometimes a lot less. They cannot budget for food or electricity,” he said.

The impacts of austerity measures in education and other social services were one of the dominating issues that workers raised during the strike. Photo by Chris Gilili

Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (Denosa) Western Cape provincial chairperson, Eleanor Roberts said they supported the strike because of the alarming conditions that nurses are forced to work under in public hospitals. “Nurses have been working under very poor conditions since last year. The budget cuts are affecting us as well. The premier of the Western Cape announced health budget cuts last year, and announced further cuts in March this year. This has put nurses under strain because nurses are now overstretched. One nurse is forced to now do the work of two or three people. This places a burden on nurses, and their families suffer too as a result. These budget cuts are not our fault. We cannot guarantee quality healthcare given the conditions we work under,” said Roberts.

Long serving nurse and Denosa member, Amina Pinto said she was also concerned about the serious shortage of nurses in health facilities in the Western Cape. “We plead with the government to employ more nurses, and also not allow for large numbers of nurses to retire. We are overstretched. Nurses working in ICU and theatres are who we mostly need in order to do our work efficiently,” said Pinto.

The memorandum was handed over to the Minister of Higher Education who promised to share it with other relevant department.

In Johannesburg

Led by the federation’s 1st deputy president, Mike Shingange, Cosatu’s march went to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in Sandton. For Cosatu, the JSE symbolises the concentration of power and wealth and the companies listed on it use their dominance to hike food prices, collude and stifle entry for new entrants. “The wealth of this country is concentrated in the JSE, so that’s why we came here, so that we will be able to address those companies directly on what they should do with the economy. The JSE must pronounce non-retrenchment in our country until the economy recovers,” said Cosatu Gauteng chairperson, Amos Monyela.

Workers from Cosatu affiliates on the march to the JSE in Sandton. Photo by Simon Ramapuputla

The labour federation wants the reinstatement of 600 Makro workers who were dismissed last year. The union at the time said that the workers were dismissed for merely taking part in a strike. Cosatu also wants the urgent implementation of the recommendations of the Zondo Commission report.

Cosatu expects replies from all institutions it delivered memorandums to within 14 days.