Ntuthuzelo Nene30 October 2024 | 10:13

Trade unions, civil society groups march to Parly, demand budget for poor, working-class people

The demonstrators are calling for the scrapping of what they refer to as government’s harsh economic policies.

Trade unions, civil society groups march to Parly, demand budget for poor, working-class people

Several trade unions and civil society organisations marched to Parliament in Cape Town ahead of the tabling of the medium-term budget policy statement (MTBPS) on 30 October 2024. Picture: Ntuthuelo Nene/EWN

CAPE TOWN - A march by several trade unions and civil society organisations has reached Parliament ahead of the medium-term budget policy statement (MTBPS) on Wednesday.

Among their demands, demonstrators called on Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana not to implement further cuts.

Godongwana will table a detailed plan of government’s spending for the next three years.

The demonstrators called for the scrapping of what they refer to as government’s harsh economic policies.

They want the minister to prioritise the creation and protection of jobs and to implement a basic income grant.

They also called on the minister to spare the education and health departments of further cuts.

Demonstrators said that they would only welcome a budget that speaks to the needs of the poor and working-class people.