Jobs cuts, poverty and inequality highlighted at Cosatu march

A group of young teachers in the province who are facing job uncertainties joined the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) National Day of Action against what they described as a “crippling economic crisis”.

Hundreds of Cosatu supporters and affiliates peacefully marched to the Western Cape Legislature and Parliament on Monday to hand over a memorandum of demands.

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) on Monday morning said policing resources were deployed across the country as lawlessness, blocking of roads and any disruptions would not be tolerated.

“The government must end austerity budgets and its focus on reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio and reducing expenditure. One in four households had limited access to food and 1 in 4 individuals had limited access to food in 2023.

“Steep price increases in the food basket, electricity, municipal rates, and transport hit the poor especially hard,” said Cosatu. The union also wants the government to develop a more focused implementation and well-resourced GBV plan.

“This plan must include support for victims, stiffer penalties for offenders, and rehabilitation programmes.

“The government must suspend their ill-informed decision to cut teaching posts, there is a pending decision that will affect 2407 teachers by the end of this year. This is an onslaught on working class schools and the downgrading of educational outcomes,” it added.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a group of newly qualified teachers said the thought of losing their contracts in December was frustrating.

“To know we are faced with the possibility of being added to the statistic of unemployed people is nerve-racking.

It's our disadvantaged communities where overcrowding already exists that will be affected. Our government needs to do better, treat teachers better,” they said.

Cosatu demanded a response to their demands within 14 days. Signing and addressing the protesters outside Parliament, Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane said the grievances cut across various sectors.

“We want to affirm that we support the International Day for Decent Work, we are also committed to fill the gaps that workers are complaining about. I will share this copy of grievances with the various ministries,” said Nkabane.

Cape Times