Cosatu to march in Northern Cape.
COSATU and its affiliated unions will hold marches in Kimberley, Kuruman and Upington on Wednesday next week.
Cosatu provincial secretary Orapeleng Moraladi said on Thursday that 500 members were expected to participate in the marches on October 7.
“The federation calls on all workers to stay away from work next week Wednesday to join in the marches, pickets and demonstrations at various locations and towns in the Province since this is a protected strike,” said Moraladi.
“We are resolute in our call for justice and fairness. We have had enough of being treated like glorified slaves, robbed of service delivery and denied job opportunities as a result of corruption. The masses have run out of patience and cannot languish in poverty any longer.”
Moraladi said the march in Kimberley would proceed from City Hall to the Premier’s Office, where a memorandum of demands will be handed over to the premier at 11am, as well as the Department of Labour, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration and the Department of Mineral Resources.
“In Kuruman, members will converge at the Absa open space at 8am and proceed to the John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality at 11am.
“A memorandum will be handed over to the regional heads of various departments at the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality in Upington at 11am.”
Moraladi added that memorandums would also be handed over to the Department of Social Development, The Department of Home Affairs and the South African Social Security Agency.
“Our key demands are to deal with rampant corruption, defend the collective bargaining agreements and pay the public servants their salary increases.”
He indicated that the march also encompassed the need to provide proper personal protective equipment for front-line workers and the implementation of health and safety protocols in all workplaces.
“We are fighting against gender-based violence and harassment in the workplace and are demanding a safe, healthy, effective and efficient public transport system that is equal and affordable for workers and commuters in general.”
