SAFTU march goes ahead despite bus strike

DESPITE yesterday’s (Wednesday) bus strike, the SAFTU (SA Federation of Trade Unions) national stay away campaign went ahead, with at least 13 busloads of workers from around the King Cetshwayo District joining the march in Durban.

‘The bus strike had no effect on our district’s workers joining the SAFTU march. We had pre-arranged with a bus company to drive them down to Durban,’ said SAFTU King Cetshwayo District Regional Branch Deputy Chairperson, Thabiso Zulu, early on Wednesday morning.

‘The buses picked up workers from all over the district, including eNseleni and Ngwelezana, and there were no issues from striking bus drivers towards those transporting the protesters.’

SAFTU’s protest is against the proposed national minimum wage bill and amendments to labour laws.

ALSO READ: SAFTU calls for economic shutdown

The federation says the legislation will continue to entrench poverty and that proposed amendments to labour laws will undermine the workers’ right to strike.

‘The strike is a symbol,’ said Zulu. ‘The government we voted for is oppressing us and we aim to open the eyes of those who are most likely to be affected by the minimum wage and labour legislation changes.

‘With the cost of living as high as it is, who can live on R20/hour or R3 500/month?’

Aiming to defend the workers’ right to strike and fight for a living wage and decent working conditions, the march took place from Botha Street, finishing at the Durban City Hall.

A memorandum of grievances was handed over by members of the SAFTU Provincial Executive Committee.

‘We know things won’t change just because we march, but we need the government to see that these proposed changes are going to have the biggest negative impact on the workers who are needed the most.’

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