Cosatu Organizes National Strike to Address Unemployment Crisis

JOHANNESBURG – The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) is gearing up for a nationwide protest on Monday, which it promises will “paint the country red.” This National Day of Action is being organized to bring attention to the issues of widespread unemployment and a sluggish economy that continue to trouble South Africa.

The strike is a call to action against what Cosatu perceives as the unrelenting retrenchments by employers, further exacerbating the country’s unemployment crisis. “There are about three million people who need jobs in this country, and this includes people who have given up but still need jobs,” said Zanele Sabela, a representative for Cosatu. “We need a moratorium on retrenchment,” she added, emphasizing the union’s conviction that ongoing job cuts are unacceptable in the current economic climate.

Cosatu, known as the largest federation of trade unions in South Africa, has been vocal about its demands for immediate action to halt further job losses. The union’s leadership believes that a moratorium would provide temporary relief and offer space for discussions and strategies aimed at job creation and economic revitalization.

As the day approaches, workers and supporters across the country are expected to rally in solidarity with Cosatu’s call. The demonstrations are intended to pressurize both employers and the government to take significant steps in addressing the unemployment rates, which have remained persistently high over recent years.