Schools should run as usual on Wednesday despite a nationwide strike planned by Cosatu, the department of basic education said.
“The department of basic education has noted the call by Cosatu for educators to go on strike on (Wednesday),” department spokesman Panyaza Lesufi said in a statement on Tuesday.
“The department, regardless, would like to reiterate that tomorrow (Wednesday)... remains a normal school day and would like to urge all learners and educators to report to school as normal.”
The union federation has said it expects its provincial bodies, essential service workers, Eskom workers, teachers, pupils, and other unions to join the strike.
Western Cape education MEC Donald Grant has called on pupils and teachers to distance themselves from the strike.
“Let me be clear. Learners are not allowed to participate in the one-day protest and should not be encouraged to do so,” he said in a statement.
“For organisations to issue this call is simply irresponsible and shows callous disregard for the future of our young people.”
The Cosatu-led strike will also not affect Metrorail services during peak times, the Passenger Rail Agency of SA said on Tuesday.
“Metrorail has restructured the train service in such a way that only the off peak service will be affected because of the long waiting service intervals,” spokesman Tony Games said in a statement.
All staff were expected to report for work.
However, Interstate Bus Lines in the Free State said it could experience possible service disruptions due to the strike.
“This strike will affect our service as some of our employees are members of SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu), which is part of Cosatu,” spokesman Thando Lepele said in a statement.
“We will inform our passengers via the Public Address at Central Park and the bulk sms system to alert them of the service disruption.”
Eskom said it's services would not be disrupted.
“The section of the Labour Relations Act that allows for this (industrial action) is only for workers not involved in essential services,” spokeswoman Hilary Joffe said.
She said while it was expected that employees would not down tools, the situation would be monitored.
“Any stay-away or strike action would be unprotected.”
Cosatu has said it expects at least 100 000 people to take part in 32 marches across the country in protest against the e-tolling system and labour brokers.
In Cape Town, mayco member for corporate services Demetri Qually said Cosatu had indicated that 20 000 people would attend the march from Keizersgracht to Parliament, areportsaid.
According to the Cape Times, he said traffic officers, police and law enforcement staff would be out in force and security at transport interchanges would be increased.
The SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry has warned the march could damage the country's economy.
The extent would depend on the scale of the protest activity and its duration, ranging from depriving the economy of labour, to affecting economic infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Cosatu's planned march has been welcomed by other sectors.
“Solidarity has called on all South Africans to voice their protest against e-tolling tomorrow (Wednesday). The protest against e-tolling could be an opportunity for South Africans to unite to everyone's benefit,” the union's general secretary Dirk Hermann said.
The ANC Youth League, the Young Communist League of SA, and the Christian Democratic Party (CDP) had also backed the strike.
“The poverty trap remains firm while this devious establishment (of labour broking) exists and defies the progress we have made on the labour law regime and the general conception of decent work in South Africa,” the young communists said.
The ANCYL said: “Members and supporters (of the league)... in all regions and provinces should join the strike and mass action against the e-tolling system and call for banning of labour brokers. No retreat. No surrender.” The CDP called on other organisations to participate, but cautioned against violence.
The Public Servants Association, National Union of Metal Workers of SA and the Food and Allied Workers' Union have also thrown their weight behind the strike. – Sapa