The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) said that they expect 5,000 workers and affiliate supporters to show up for their march in Cape Town on Tuesday, as they mark International Day for Decent Work.

The march in Cape Town forms part of activities in all provinces to raise the plight of millions and place a spotlight on the call for decent work.

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.

The march in Cape Town is expected to begin at Hanover Street at 10am, with the first stop set for the Western Cape Provincial Legislature, and then ending at the City of Cape Town’s Civic Centre offices.

Western Cape Provincial Secretary, Malvern De Bruyn, said they will be handing over their memorandum to Premier Alan Winde, and have sent communication to the office of the National Assembly speaker, Thoko Didiza, to also be in attendance at the legislature for the memorandum collection.

“Our memorandum will cover the issues of International Day of Decent Work, and we’re also calling for jobs, and the protection of jobs in the province and nationally.

“The content (of the memorandums) will basically cover job losses in our country, and where we also demand decent work for our workers. We want more jobs,” De Bruyn said.

De Bruyn said that they will also be handing over a memorandum to the City of Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, covering the issue of high electricity and water tariffs, as well as the “anti-poor Budget” that was passed.

“We are also asking for the abolishment of the EPWP (Expanded Public Works Programme) sector that has been abused by the City of Cape Town. Those are some of the core issues; we are also talking about the issue of crime within our province

“A majority of the inhabitants of the City were not in support of the budget, and they basically rubberstamped and bulldozed the budget by using their majority in council. The budget doesn’t talk to the issues of the poor,” De Bruyn said.

“You see the high tariffs in the province, and that is not addressing those issues, and that is why we said let’s march to them and tell them that the people of Cape Town do not support the budget because it doesn’t talk to the issues of our people.”

The City’s budget has faced considerable criticism over its fixed charges and also faces legal challenges as organisations head to court.

De Bruyn said that they will be supported by several support groups and like-minded individuals. He added that it is a protected strike, “meaning that workers are protected”.

“We are calling on all the workers and members to come in their numbers on Tuesday.

“It will be no-work no-pay, no disciplinary action, and no worker can be victimised, or disciplined for participating in the strike. We are calling on workers, where they experience employers that will prevent them from going to the march to inform Cosatu immediately.

“The issue(s) we are talking about are issues that affect our workers directly.”

theolin.tembo@inl.co.za

Source link