South Africa’s biggest trade union, the Congress of the South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), said on Tuesday that it is fully behind the strikes by Modikwa mineworkers and Johannesburg Metrobus drivers.
“Cosatu fully supports the thousands of our members who are presently moving into action to implement the national congress resolution to step up its Jobs and Poverty Campaign by striking for better wages and working conditions and struggling against racism and exploitation,” the federation said in a statement.
More than 2Â 000 members of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) at the Modikwa Platinum Mine in Limpopo started striking last Friday to demand an end to racism. NUM is an affiliate of Cosatu
“We are protesting against the many discrepancies caused by racism in the company. Working conditions for white people here are made to be much better than their black counterparts,” said NUM spokesperson Onis Serothwane.
Based in Limpopo province, Modikwa Platinum is jointly owned by Patrice Motsepe’s African Rainbow Minerals and Anglo Platinum.
Meanwhile, about 600 bus drivers and members of the South African Municipal Workers’ Union — which is also a member union of Cosatu — entered their second day of striking on Tuesday in a dispute over the encashment of accumulated sick leave.
Cosatu added that it will be supporting the strike by road-freight workers — led by the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union — who are set to embark on a nationwide strike within two weeks.
Satawu is demanding 11% wage hike across the board and a 1% increase in provident funds. — I-Net Bridge