Tomorrow, October 7, marks the World Day for Decent Work, and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is gearing up for a nationwide strike and protests against unemployment.
The federation aims to highlight the country’s economic crisis, characterized by income inequality, poverty, and high unemployment. COSATU’s national spokesperson, Zanele Sabela, emphasized that the strike is not just about job creation, but also about ensuring decent working conditions. “Even those who have jobs are not treated with dignity,” Sabela noted, citing recent incidents where workers were mistreated in restaurants and other workplaces.
Key Protest Locations:
- Amazimtoti: Protest at Makro retail store
- Cape Town: March from Hanover Street to the National Parliament
- Durban_: March from Nkosi Dinuzulu Park to City Hall
- Johannesburg: March from Sandton Park to the Treasury and the South African Reserve Bank
Thousands are expected to participate in the strike, with protests likely to take place in provincial capitals and major urban areas. While most marches are expected to be peaceful, authorities are preparing for potential clashes between striking workers and security forces.
The strike comes as South Africa grapples with an unemployment crisis, with 11.3 million people seeking jobs amidst ongoing retrenchments
