Cosatu unions march for better public sector wages
Cosatu says it wants to exact pressure on negotiators to improve the offer of just below 6 percent.
PRETORIA - Around 10,000 people were marching through the Pretoria city centre on Thursday morning calling for better wages in the public sector.
The workers belong to seven Congress of South African Trade Unions' (Cosatu) unions which are threatening to go on strike if government doesn't improve its 5,8 percent wage offer. The unions are demanding a 10 percent hike plus a R1,500 housing allowance.
The protestors, all of who a public servants in Gauteng, marched past the National treasury, which the workers accused of blocking an improved wage offer.
#CosatuMarch COSATU's acting general secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali with treasury representative. GW pic.twitter.com/s0xCnLoZrw
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 23, 2015
The federation's Gauteng secretary Dumisani Dakile says the protest action was only a warning.
"This is just a warning to government, of something more that is still to come. If they don't listen now, all hell is going to break loose."
Cosatu's national leadership is also attending and iss expected to address the crowed later in the afternoon.
Some of the posters being displayed read, "Forward with inquiry into public health spending".
The significant turnout is Cosatu's strongest show force since the start of the talks, which it has described as unprecedented.
The march will end at the Public Service Department.
#CosatuMarch There are more than 10000 people here now. City center around the high court is at a standstill. GW
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 23, 2015
#CosatuMarch A few of the interesting posters at public sector unions march for higher wages. GW pic.twitter.com/FNWeOxt9zD
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 23, 2015
#CosatuMarch The march for better public sector wages & a housing allowance is now in full swing. GW pic.twitter.com/aBkoHtXiCG
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 23, 2015
