The Citizen reports that the SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) said on Thursday their efforts towards a living minimum wage would be broadened and intensified if their demands were not met.
This came after the federation’s members were violently kicked out of parliament where the matter of the national minimum wage (NMW) was being discussed on Wednesday. The portfolio committee had been convened to ratify proposed amendments to labour laws, including the proposed NMW of R20 per hour. Saftu spokesperson Patrick Craven said: “Saftu says no to poverty pay and attacks on union rights. Already yesterday (Wednesday), workers in Cape Town peacefully demonstrated in the portfolio committee meeting, in support of the campaign [to scrap the minimum wage bill] and let the members of parliament know how strongly they feel. They were then violently ejected from the meeting by parliamentary security staff. This is just the beginning. We shall be seen again when the National Assembly and NCOP debate these bills and we shall be taking to the streets again, in ever increasing numbers.” Craven said the union was calling on workers to remain mobilised and if parliament did not scrap the bill, would consider a total shutdown of the economy for two to three days.
- Read this report by Chisom Jenniffer Okoye in full at The Citizen
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