BL Premium reports that labour federations have called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to take decisive action in his state of the nation address (Sona) on Thursday to address the country’s socioeconomic crises.
The address, which marks the annual opening of parliament, will be Ramaphosa’s first as head of the government of national unity (GNU) that was formed after the ANC lost its majority support during general elections in May 2024. The Federation of Unions of SA (Fedusa) and Cosatu said they were “strongly” opposed to the continued implementation of austerity measures, “which have disproportionately affected the working class and the most vulnerable in our society”. Fedusa’s Riefdah Ajam said: “As the voice of 617,000 workers, Fedusa urges the government to take bold, decisive action to address critical socioeconomic challenges and implement measures that promote inclusive growth, job security, and social justice.” Cosatu spokesperson Zanele Sabela said the federation was anxious to hear what Ramaphosa would say regarding a political solution to the conflict in east of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that has claimed the lives of 14 SA National Defence Force troops. Cosatu also called on Ramaphosa to discuss public employment programmes. National Council of Trade Unions (Nactu) general secretary Narius Moloto said they hoped the president would address the scourge of unemployment in SA and “continued retrenchments”. SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said they approached the Sona with “deep concern and scepticism.” He explained: “Saftu has consistently warned that the coming together of these two political forces would be a doomsday scenario for workers and the poor. We expect no fundamental changes to the failed economic programmes that have reproduced unemployment, poverty, and inequality.”
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
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