Natasha Archary
The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) plans a nationwide strike next week to bring attention to the economic hardship plaguing many sectors.
Calling on South Africans to join the #SAFTUStayAway movement planned for the 24th February, the trade federation will hold protests in all major cities around the country on the same day.
#SAFTUKZN Socialist Demands for socialist budget on the 24th February#SAFTUStayAway#SAFTUGeneralStrike pic.twitter.com/V7xKrcH7TI
— SAFTU (@SAFTU_media) February 17, 2021
According to SAFTU, the strike will be a peaceful protest and will only focus on a mass stay-away.
The strike will be the largest public gathering since the COVID-19 pandemic and aims to mobilize 800 000 protesting workers from main trade unions.
The Democratized Transport Logistics and Allied Workers Union are in support of the strike in order to push for change in the country.
DETAWU wants Mboweni to increase the R350 grant for unemployed individuals.
The unions General secretary Vusi Ntshangase is proposing 1 500 for each person every month.
Some of the issues the federation wishes to highlight are:
• Stop retrenchments and evictions
• Stop load shedding – it destroys jobs
• Pay various industries a relief grant
• Provide free burial for COVID-19 deaths
• Demands for increases
• Provide a permanent basic income grant to the unemployed
We demand…#SAFTUStayAway #SAFTUGeneralStrike#GeneralStrike pic.twitter.com/MjRXGmY8w6
— SAFTU (@SAFTU_media) February 17, 2021
The strike will take place the day Finance Minister Tito Mboweni delivers his budget speech. The federation accused government of using the pandemic as an excuse to cut workers’ pay.
This is a developing story, listen to Kaya 959 News for further updates.