The national socio-economic strike of the unions begins in SA

JOHANNESBURG / CAPE TOWN / DURBAN – Workers had yet to gather at different assembly points in Gauteng on Wednesday morning to take part in marches and car parades as part of the nationwide strike by the country’s four major labor federations.

The protests focus on corruption, the failing economy, gender-based violence, and the government’s failure to implement this year’s pay increases for civil servants.

• LIVE BLOG: Operations Stop When Unions Around South Africa Go On Strike

Despite calls for workers to stay home on Wednesday and plans for a few to protest according to the limitations of lockdown regulations, the nation’s capital was buzzing with activity as people headed to work.

The municipal employees continued their business as usual with the street cleaners seen working in Tshwane.

Among the workers expected to participate in the action were teachers, health workers, public transport operators, among others. They planned to protest in front of different institutions in the country’s capital.

While the South African Congress of Trade Unions (Cosatu), the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu), the National Council of Trade Unions (Nactu) and the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Fedusa) participated in the strike, the organizations organized different activities throughout the country.

Cosatu president Zingiswa Losi was expected to lead a caravan of cars to the Department of Employment and Labor in the city, while Saftu leaders would form a human chain at Union Buildings.

However, it remained to be seen whether the workers would come out in droves given the cloudy morning weather.

COSATU KZN PROTEST

At the same time, Cosatu in KwaZulu-Natal said that most of its workers in the province had heard the call to stay home.

The labor federation said it would ensure that Wednesday’s events adhere to COVID-19 regulations when its members deliver their memos to five public institutions.

Cosatu Provincial Secretary Edwin Mkhize said they had planned car parades in various parts of the province to raise awareness about the plight of workers.

“Some comrades are traveling to Port Shepstone, some from Pietermaritzburg, and others will travel from Empangeni, Richards Bay and Mandini,” Mkhize said.

Mkhize said later on Wednesday that they planned to meet at the KwaZulu-Natal provincial police headquarters.

“We will be delivering five memoranda to different institutions. The government memorandum will be picked up by the prime minister, ”he said.

He said they also plan to organize pickets in front of companies that did not comply with safety regulations and those that refuse to pay workers the money from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) that is owed to them.

SITUATION IN THE WESTERN CAPE

Meanwhile, protesting workers began to gather in Langa in the morning.

The protesters were expected to form a caravan driving from Langa to central Cape Town.

#NationalStrike From here, a caravan will depart for the Cape Town Civic Center. KB pic.twitter.com/EsTkO5OjPj

– EWN reporter (@ewnreporter) October 7, 2020

They weren’t just satisfied with retiring their job. The protesters wanted to stop traffic to make their point.

Vehicles joining the protest march began arriving at the Langa multipurpose sports center.

They would charge the protesters before taking the N2. They would then deliver a memorandum to government representatives in the city center.

Cosatu Provincial Secretary Malvern de Bruyn said: “Now we can see that there is movement in terms of government dealing with corruption, but we think they are not doing enough. We want people to be arrested. “

The protesters were expected to converge in the provincial legislature and Parliament.

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