Scores of workers heeded the call by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and gathered outside the offices of Gauteng premier David Makhura in Johannesburg as part of their one-day nationwide stay away over better working conditions.
Dressed in red T-shirts and singing Struggle songs, the protesters carried placards reading: “Decent Work = Fair Income”, “Away With Labour Brokers”, “End poverty, job losses and inequality” and “Corruption affects us all”.
The workers were also joined by SA National Civic Organisation (Sanco) members clad in white T-shirts.
Cosatu officials submitted a memorandum of demands to the Gauteng provincial government, which was accepted by transport MEC Jacob Mamabolo on behalf of Makhura.
The memorandum called on the government to address a variety of socio-economic issues that the workers believe are weakening the state of the country.
Cosatu deputy president Louise Thipe called on the government and the private sector to address issues workers are faced with in their respective workplaces.
“We have a duty to fight for our workers. We are calling on the government and business to do the right thing. They should join us in waging the war against job losses, retrenchments, low salaries and acts of gender-based violence in the workplace,” said Thipe.
Some of the demands made in the memorandum addressed to the government and the private sector are:
- Respect collective bargaining and labour rights, i.e. increase of workers’ salaries;
- Address the gender wage gap;
- Tackle sexual harassment and violence in the workplace;
- Ensure workplaces are safe spaces that are in line with the country’s occupational hygiene and safety laws;
- Provide additional resources to special crimes courts to fast-track the state’s ability to deal swiftly with corruption; and the
- Scrapping of e-Tolls
Mamabolo promised that their concerns would be sent to the office of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“Your issues will be addressed and you will get feedback,” said Mamabolo.
He said the provincial government supported their call for e-Tolls to be abolished, reiterating that they should be scrapped.
“E-tolls are a burden and they are not helping the government to generate the revenue it should be generating. As Gauteng province, we want the scrapping of e-Tolls now,” said Mamabolo.
The office of the premier is expected to respond to the workers’ demands within 14 calendar days.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.