MEMBERS of Cosatu marched to National Treasury and Tshwane House on Friday, 6 October, demanding implementation of the collective bargaining agreement signed with the South African Local Government Association and to address socio-economic climates faced by South Africans.
According to Cosatu president, Zingiswa Losi, the march marked International Day of Decent Work, a day celebrated around the world on 7 October, but they decided to mark it on a working day.
"The purpose of this day is to acknowledge the conditions the workers are working under. We still have workers working under bad conditions. We remind government and the private sector on the importance of ensuring that workers are given decent living wages and conditions," she said.
She said City of Tshwane refuses to honour the wage of its members under the South African Munucipal Workers Union.
She said the cost of living is very high, which makes it impossible for workers to have a decent living with the amount they get at the end of the month.
"We are here recognising this day, but also saying it's the right of workers to earn a decent living wage and also have decent working conditions," she said.
Kenny Moretsele, public relations officer of e-Hailing Partners Council, said they are in solidarity with Cosatu together with South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu).
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"In this federation we are partnered with Satawu since it is a union which is in transport. We have decided to work with Satawu on the basis that when no one listened to e-hailing when we were crying about exploitation and abuse, it is only Satawu who listened to us," he said.
He added that if there is an erosion of workers' wages, it directly affects them.
Tshwane metro police spokesman, Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba, said: "We had a meeting with organisers and they committed that there will be a peaceful march. At times there might be criminal elements that may come, but we will deal with those as they come."
City of Tshwane mayor's spokesman, Sipho Stuurman, said mayor Cilliers Brink was ready to accept the memorundum at 12pm at Tshwane House as had been pre-arranged with the trade union, but the march had still not arrived at Tshwane House by 13:20pm and Brink had to leave to attend to another prearranged engagement.
"At this point the city manager Johann Mettler made himself available to accept the Cosatu memorandum. However, a rowdy and violent crowd prevented him from doing so outside Tshwane House," he said.
He said the city implored the trade union and its affiliates to respect the provisions of the collective agreement and the rule of law. Stadi Mngomezulu, director general from Treasury, received memorandum.
