Saftu calls on all workers to stay home on Wednesday
The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) has called on all South Africans to stay at home on Wednesday in support of its national shutdown.
Thousands of South Africans across the country are either expected to stay at home or join protests against the high cost of living.
“We are not emphasising on the big, big numbers on Wednesday and Thursday. But we are emphasising on the need of workers to stay at home, not to go to work but embark on a protected general strike to shut this economy down,” says general-secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.
Rival federation, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), is also expected to hold its own shutdown on the same day.
Details of Cosatu’s plans is still sketchy, despite both federations sharing the same speakers’ list.
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Vavi said Saftu hoped to work with Cosatu to forge a common purpose, but “egos got in the way”.
“Cosatu has announced that it’s own members will be assembling on the same spot. It will be joined action. It will be unity in action.
“There was misunderstanding I felt, I suspect that there were ego problems and spirit of competition which we must eliminate over time or fears of being dominated by this or other group.”
The shutdown in Gauteng is expected to start in Tshwane on Tuesday, where Saftu will hold a night vigil.
On Wednesday, marchers are expected to gather from Burgerspark in the Pretoria CBD where the march will then proceed to the Union Buildings.
