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“We demand the government to prioritise policies that speak and favour the workers,”
Cosatu Northern Cape Secretary, Orapeleng Moraladi said this during the federation’s protest in the province. Hundreds of Cosatu affiliates, including Sadtu, Saccawu, Nehawu, Popcru, the Communist Party and Sanco marched to the Premier’s office, Dr Zamani Saul.
The protest was against joblessness, inequality, privatization and an end to contract workers.
Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) MEC Bentley Vass and Education MEC Abraham Vosloo flanked by representatives from the Department of Mineral, Saul Plaatjie Municipality and SAPS received the memorandum on behalf of the Premier
.Moraladi said the federation was concerned about corruption and retrenchments at the mines.
“We are disturbed by imminent and ongoing retrenchments at the mines. Which has led to joblessness; hence Cosatu has organised this national march. We are also concerned about the municipal manager at Saul Plaatjie Municipality halting a multi-million-dollar rand project. The project can potentially create 22000 jobs in the Province,” said Moraladi.
Sacca President Patrick Hailane explained that the working class cannot afford the current cost of living.
“The inflation rate is high, making it difficult for us workers. When inflation is high, many workers become unemployed. The working class are also facing high Eskom tarrifs,” said Hailane.
The Cosatu affiliates have also appealed to law enforcement agencies to speed the arrest and prosecution of government officials who are implicated in corruption.
Nehawu Second Deputy President, Patrick Makhafane said: “We have opened cases as various affiliates under Cosatu for those corrupt elements to be taken to task and we don’t think the government is taking us seriously.”
Makhafane also urged the justice cluster to act harshly against perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence
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