Cosatu to highlight workers' challenges during national day of action in Durban

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) is set to hold a national day of action on Tuesday, October 7, to mark the International Day for Decent Work. 

The trade union federation said this year’s action is doubly significant as it is set to celebrate its 40th anniversary on December 6 at Dobsonville Stadium and as it comes on the heels of the 80th anniversary of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) on October 3.

In a statement, Cosatu said despite the hard-won gains over the past four decades, workers are still confronted by crippling economic challenges including joblessness, poverty and inequality.

“The South African economy hasn’t grown beyond 1% for years, while unemployment is alarmingly high at 42.9%, and harrowing among youth aged 15 to 24 at more than 72%. Yet, companies including Glencore, ArcelorMittal, Ford, Coca-Cola and SABC to name just a few are still intent on retrenching workers. Cosatu is committed to supporting the unions who represent workers in these and other companies as they fight to defend jobs.” 

Marches will be held in all major cities in the country including Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town.

In Durban, the march will start at the King Dinuzulu Park at 9am and will end at City Hall where a memorandum will be handed over to government, state owned entities and employers.

In a recent opinion piece, Cosatu general secretary Solly Phetoe said that the International Day of Decent Work is a rallying point for the trade union movement to push employers and governments to do more to improve the working and living conditions of the working class.

Cosatu said it will soon embark on a living wage campaign, during which it will advocate for workers to be paid twice the National Minimum Wage.

THE MERCURY