Johannesburg - Labour federation Cosatu has rejected the latest version the Gauteng highways e-toll system. In a statement reacting to Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that motorists would have to settle their bills before motor vehicle licences were renewed, the federation said workers had rejected the user-pay model.
“Any system which is pronounced as ‘fair’, ‘affordable’ and ‘sustainable’ must be considerate to the conscious erosion of the wage share of workers, whose daily costs of living are skyrocketing with each month,” said Cosatu spokesman, Norman Mampane.
The federation described the new measures as a financial inconvenience for many road users and workers who use their cars to make a living.
Municipal workers’ union, Samwu opted for a stronger stance even encouraging civil disobedience. The union’s spokesman, Papikie Mohale said: “No matter how enticing the government may want to be, we urge South African to vehemently refuse to pay a single cent towards this neoliberal project that seeks to privatise our country’s national roads.”
Cosatu said its leaders would discuss the system at an upcoming central executive committee meeting and also stated they would campaign for accessible, affordable and reliable public transport system.
Labour Bureau