The federation is calling for stronger enforcement of the minimum wage and opposing job cuts at Sun International and dismissals at Makro.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is holding nationwide marches on Wednesday, October 7, to mark the International Day for Decent Work. The federation says workers face mass retrenchments, non-compliance with the minimum wage and growing casualisation.
COSATU spokesperson Zanele Sabela told SABC that demonstrators planned to protest planned job cuts at Sun International and the dismissal of hundreds of Makro employees, part of Massmart. She said Sun International intended to reduce staffing at its physical casinos even though those venues had generated 3.4 billion rand in revenue in the six months to the end of June.
The union is also seeking the reinstatement of Makro workers dismissed after taking part in a 2021 strike. Sabela described the strike as legal and protected; that characterization is the union’s. COSATU links its demands to high unemployment, which its spokesperson put at 43.8%.
Reports on the day said marches and pickets were taking place in different provinces. COSATU says it is seeking not only to protect jobs but also to secure stronger enforcement of the minimum wage.