The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) has called on all South Africans to take part in the national shutdown on Wednesday.
The shutdown is set to take place in six provinces where Saftu and its allies will protest to “defend and advance the socio-economic interests of workers and the working class at large.”
Limpopo, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, Western Cape and the Free State are among the provinces where the protests are expected to take place.
Saftu and 200 working-class formations as well as political parties such as the EFF, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, Azanian People’s Organisation, Workers and Socialist Party and others have endorsed to join the strike.
Saftu says they are expecting all workers to participate in the stay-away except for essential workers, as the strike is protected under Section 77 of the Labour Relations Act. Protests are expected to take place across the country at various government institutions.
Saftu’s general-secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said: “Our national shutdown is organised to show our working class that the only way is to fight back. We are calling for a general strike, a stay away and a general strike of all workers both ordinary workers and professional workers of white and black workers, of middle class, and the unemployed people who are concerned about the future of our country and the future of our people to join us.”
Organisers demands include a R1500 basic income grant, the de-escalation of the interest rates, fuel, electricity, and food prices, an end to the privatisation of government institutions, as well as an end to wage cuts and below-inflation wage increases in the private and public sector.
Demonstrations on Wednesday will include a march to the Union Building in Pretoria, a march to Parliament in the Western Cape, a march to the Free State Premier’s office in Mangaung, and a march to Eskom Park in Witbank, Mpumalanga.
Source: SABC News, IOL, fin24, Times Live, image from Twitter: Jacaranda News
