Cosatu will hold marches in Kimberley, Upington and Kuruman on Thursday as part of ’Global Day of Decent Work’ commemorations.
COSATU will hold marches in Kimberley, Upington and Kuruman in the Northern Cape on Thursday, September 7 as part of ’Global Day of Decent Work’ commemorations.
Cosatu provincial secretary Orapeleng Moraladi said memorandums would be handed over regarding unemployment, corruption and the freezing of wages in the public and private sector.
“We want the moratorium on the employment of critical vacant and funded posts to be lifted. Hospitals in the Northern Cape are in dire need of health-care workers, nurses and medical staff. The payment of educators and community health workers also needs to be addressed,” said Moraladi.
He believed that government could not blame the Covid-19 pandemic for its inability to pay increases or appoint civil servants.
“It is a lame excuse. There is enough money, it just needs to be managed properly. Corruption is eating into funds that should be directed towards service delivery and the poor. Measures must be put in place to retain and create decent jobs.”
Moraladi added that all workers were encouraged to participate in the march or to stay away from work.
“It is a legal march and workers will stay away on a no work, no pay basis, for one day.”
He stated that while increases had been paid for the 2021 financial year, workers were still waiting for backdated increases that were signed for 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Moraladi said a march would take place in Kimberley on Thursday, starting at the city hall at 9.30am and proceeding to the Premier’s Office, where memorandums would be handed over to the premier, Sol Plaatje Municipality, Eskom, mining houses, the Department of Employment and Labour, the Department of Mineral Resources and the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.
“We have also requested retailers to meet at the Premier’s Office so that we can also provide them with copies of the memorandum. We are expecting 1,500 members to take part in the march.”
He added that about 600 workers would participate in the march in Kuruman, starting from the open space behind Absa Bank and proceeding to the John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality from 11.30am.
“Memorandums will be handed over to the municipality, Department of Labour, SAPS and different mining companies, as well as stores, retailers and restaurants where workers are being exploited.”
Moraladi indicated that between 700 to 800 workers would converge at Dr Harry Surtie Hospital in Upington at around 8am and march to Dawid Kruiper Municipality.
“A memorandum will be handed over to the South African Human Rights Commission regarding issues of racism in the Province that is affecting farmworkers.”
