The national shutdown is only a day away, and more trade unions have joined the fray.
These trade unions are joining the national shutdown
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), in collaboration with the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU), is delivering on a promise it made in early July 2022.
Two of the country’s largest labour organisations will take to the streets in all nine provinces to protest against what they term “the impending collapse of South Africa’s economy.”
Not only is the national shutdown an attempt to raise awareness about the rising cost of living in South Africa, it is also a resounding call from the labour market for the resignation of Eskom Chief Executive Andre de Ruyter and the dissolution of the African National Congress (ANC) as a ruling party.
Economists have warned that the single-day protest will, if anything, further hamper the country’s flailing economy instead of helping it.
Isaac Matshego, an Economist at Nedbank, noted in a statement to EWN that the national shutdown was a counterproductive exercise that, in all likelihood, “will not really achieve any objective.”
“I’m not justifying a longer stay away because that would be more damaging,” he said.
Cries against the national shutdown from economists and other experts have fallen on deaf ears. instead, more trade unions have surfaced in support of Wednesday’s nationwide strike.
Here are all the trade unions expected to participate in the national shutdown on Wednesday, 24 August 2022:
COSATU
COSATU is South Africa’s largest labour federation with more than 21 affiliate trade unions.
- Industries: Agriculture, Chemical, Energy, Communications, Nursing, Metal, Mining, Law enforcement and correctional services, Catering, Textile, Teachers, Medical, Finance, Security
- Membership: 1.8 million
SAFTU
SAFTU is one of the three largest labour groups in South Africa, with more than 22 affiliate trade unions.
- Industries: Transport, Public Sector, Manufacturing, Mining, Construction, Commercial Services, Security, Cleaning
- Membership: 800 000
Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU)
POPCRU is a COSATU-affiliated trade union representing police officers, traffic officials and correctional services workers.
- Industries: Law enforcement, correctional services.
- Membership: 120 000
National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU)
- Industries:
- Membership:
National Union of Mineworkers (NUM)
NEHAWU is South Africa’s largest public sector trade union.
- Industries: Public Services, Health, Education, Welfare
- Membership: 235 000
Treatment Action Campaign (TAC)
The TAC is a non-profit organisation that monitors advocacy and campaigning within South Africa’s healthcare industry.
- Industries: Health
- Membership: N/A