The Citizen reports that the SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) is preparing to fight the National Minimum Wage Bill passed by the National Assembly this week with mass mobilisation that will culminate in a two-day national strike.
Rival labour federations Cosatu and Fedusa on the other hand have welcomed the passing of the bill. The draft legislation, which seeks to introduce a minimum wage of R3,500 per month or R20 an hour, is headed for the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) before it will be sent for signing by President Cyril Ramaphosa. On Wednesday, Saftu deputy general secretary Moleko Phakedi said they would embark on a national strike because the wage was tantamount to a slave wage. The federation added it would intensify its campaign against the Bill, along with the attendant legislation that required workers to undertake a balloting process before embarking on a strike. Saftu recently organised its first national strike against the wage and its legislation. Phakedi said they would soon embark on another national strike to voice their opposition to the Bill. “We’re going to have two to three days strike action, for government to realise workers and working class will not fold their arms when they’re being attacked.”
- Read this report by Eric Naki in full at The Citizen
- Read too, Labour law amendments met with mixed reactions, at City Press
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page