The Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) on Thursday called on the Independent Communication Authority of SA to reject the new tariffs proposed by Telkom.
Cosatu representative Vukani Mde said with local calls increasing by 12,5% and international calls increasing by five percent, the poor were suffering while the rich would benefit.
”It is immoral and unacceptable to impose these additional costs on the majority of our people at a time when they face huge increases in food prices and housing costs,” Mde said.
Cosatu said Telkom proposals would make it even harder for the majority of its members to engage in income-earning activities.
Mde said 80% of the new lines Telkom extended in the past four years had been shut off, largely because ordinary households can no longer afford them.
”This situation again demonstrates the high costs the country is paying for the ill-considered introduction of foreign partners and deregulation in telecommunications, which is a basic service,” he said. – Sapa