Thousands of South Africans are marching to protest what they call poor working conditions and demand improved minimum wage levels.
The country’s Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) on Monday announced that it will embark on a general strike from Wednesday over what it calls “the biggest attacks on working-class people, trade unions and the poor” since the end of apartheid.
The federation has more than 20 unions, including Numsa and Tirisano Transport Workers Union (Taswu).
Wednesday’s nationwide strike is hoping to push through review of the national minimum wage and amendments to labour laws while addressing economic challenges facing South African workers.
A statement from the trade union earlier said “In particular we are mobilising workers against a ferocious declaration of war by the ruling class of white monopoly capitalists, who are trying to get Parliament to pass new laws which will entrench poverty and threaten workers’ Constitutional right to withdraw their labour.”
Wednesday’s general strike is taking place in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein with other street protests taking place across the country.
Source: Africafeeds.com
