COSATU announces a nationwide strike this Monday across all South African provinces

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has called for a nationwide strike set for Monday, 7 October 2024, in response to rising unemployment, high interest rates, and other pressing concerns. Thousands are expected to join the protest.

COSATU’s list of demands

As reported by Labourwise, COSATU gave notice to the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) of their intention to embark on a nationwide strike on Monday, 7 October 2024. It is important to note that the national strike is due to start at 00:00 and end at 23:59.

The intended protest action stems from COSATU’s demand some years ago that companies must stop retrenchments to maximize profits and allegedly stated that since then they ‘have seen the number of retrenchments increase at alarming rates accompanied by weak economic growth as well as rising costs of living’.

COSATU’s list of demands, as reported by capetownetc. is as follows:

• A stop to attacks on ‘Collective Bargaining’ in all sectors
• The prevention of crime and corruption
• Reduction of high interest rates
• Addressing the high and increasing cost of living
• An end to job losses and also privatisation
• Addressing the high unemployment rate and the creation of ‘decent jobs’
• The ‘speedy implementation’ of the Zondo Commission recommendations
• The South African Government must ‘stop misplaced pursuit of Austerity measures’
• Businesses and the South African Government must agree with COSATU’s labour law reform demands

“We see this strike as crucial issues because it addresses bread and butter issues for the workers.”
COSATU in KZN

They added that ‘about 11.3 million people in our country need jobs but on the one hand workers are retrenched day in and day out through the narrow application of Section 189.

Which areas will be hotspots?

According to Crisis24, COSATU announced gatherings at the following locations:

• Amazimtoti: Protest at Makro retail store, time unclear
• Cape Town: March from Hanover Street to the National Parliament, 08:30
• Durban: March from Nkosi Dinuzulu Park to City Hall, 09:30
• Durban: Protest at Isibaya Casino, time unclear
• East London: March from North End Stadium to the Department of Labour, 09:00
• Johannesburg: March from Sandton Park to the Treasury and also the South African Reserve Bank, among other locations, 08:30
• Jozini: Protest at Jozini Tiger Lodge, time unclear
• Kimberley: March from the Honoured Dead Memorial to the office of the Premier, 09:00
• Komatipoort: March from Strydom Block Road to the Sonoma Investment farm, 10:00
• Pietermaritzburg: Protest at Makro retail store, time unclear
• Polokwane: March from SABC Park to the office of the Premier, among other locations, 09:00
• Rustenburg: March from the taxi rank to the municipal offices, among other locations, 08:00
• Sasolburg: March from Eric Louw Circle to the municipal offices, 08:00

Additional protests are likely in large urban areas and increased security will likely be deployed near government agencies and also company headquarters. It is important to note that transport disruptions are likely near protest sites.