SAFTU released posters ahead of the national shutdown on 20 March, demanding job creation, ending load shedding, implementing a basic income grant, and insourcing various workers, among other demands. Images: Supplied/Storm Simpson.
National Shutdown: SAFTU demand an end to load shedding, a R1500 grant and R72 per hour for workers
SAFTU pledged to join the EFF for a national shutdown on 20 March. The red berets are calling for Ramaphosa’s head, but Zwelinzima Vavi stressed that the trade union federation is independent and is not joining the party’s political programme.
SAFTU released posters ahead of the national shutdown on 20 March, demanding job creation, ending load shedding, implementing a basic income grant, and insourcing various workers, among other demands. Images: Supplied/Storm Simpson.
The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) pledged to take to the streets on 20 March with the EFF. The red berets plan to bring the country to a standstill over load shedding, service delivery and President Cyril Ramaphosa’s resignation.
TRADE UNION FEDERATION TO JOIN EFF SHUTDOWN
About a week ago, SAFTU confirmed it would participate in the national shutdown and that it would be a protected strike.
However, Zwelizima Vavi, the trade union federation’s general secretary, made a point of stressing that SAFTU was not joining the EFF’s political programme, instead, it was responding to the crisis.
“SAFTU is not willing to just join a political party programme, we can’t do that we are an independent federation.
“We can only join a broad front of left formations working together to achieve a common goal of an effective national shutdown,” said Vavi.
SAFTU’s DEMANDS FOR NATIONAL SHUTDOWN
On Wednesday, 8 March 2022, the trade union federation released a pamphlet and posters ahead of the national shutdown.
The bright red posters carry the slogan “Don’t moan, mobilise or starve” and speak about issues, including the rising cost of living and low wages; the need for a basic income grant; and striking against unemployment, outsourcing, budget cuts, corruption and privatisation.
Pamphlet National Shutdown by Storm Simpson on Scribd
SAFTU’s 12 demands include job creation, ending load shedding, implementing a universal basic income grant, lowering the cost of living, ensuring a minimum living wage for all workers, ending crime and violence, transitioning to renewable energy without job losses, re-nationalising certain entities, reversing budget cuts, expanding the public sector wage bill, protecting collective bargaining, and insourcing various workers.
SAFTU embarked on a national shutdown in August 2022, and its demands have largely remained unchanged. Given the incessant power cuts in South Africa, ending load shedding has been deemed a priority for the trade union federation.
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