Cosatu to march to Parliament

cape town- 141007. Cosatu, the African National Congress (ANC) and farmworker organisations are calling on government to end illegal evictions by introducing a moratorium. The groups held a press conference at COSATU House today. Cosatu's Tony Ehrenreich says there has been a marked escalation in farm evictions not just in Cape Town but across the country. He admitted tensions are running high in the country and renewed strikes could exacerbate the situation. From Left: COSATU's Tony Ehrenreich and Nosey Pieters from BAWUSA. reporter: Natasha Bezuidenhout. Pic : jason boud

cape town- 141007. Cosatu, the African National Congress (ANC) and farmworker organisations are calling on government to end illegal evictions by introducing a moratorium. The groups held a press conference at COSATU House today. Cosatu's Tony Ehrenreich says there has been a marked escalation in farm evictions not just in Cape Town but across the country. He admitted tensions are running high in the country and renewed strikes could exacerbate the situation. From Left: COSATU's Tony Ehrenreich and Nosey Pieters from BAWUSA. reporter: Natasha Bezuidenhout. Pic : jason boud

Published Oct 7, 2015

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Cape Town - Cosatu is set to march to Parliament on Wednesday morning as part of an international campaign dubbed the World Day of Decent Work.

The labour confederation’s Western Cape secretary, Tony Ehrenreich, said workers in all South Africa’s nine provinces would be making their own specific demands to the government.

While the Western Cape’s big march will be staged in Cape Town, people will also march in Vredendal, Worcester, Piketberg, Matsikama and Saldanha Bay.

“We’re starting at Keizersgracht Street at 10.30am to Parliament.

“The issues are taxation reform measures of increasing VAT to 17 percent, we’re opposed to that.

“We’re opposed to e-tolls, we want a better public transport system, we want an end to job losses and policies which create more jobs, and a national minimum wage so that workers can earn a decent wage,” said Ehrenreich.

He was non-committal over which of Cosatu’s national leadership would lead and address the march.

Earlier, Cosatu said the march was a protected strike due to the deadlock at the National Economic Development and Labour Council over demands for the scrapping of e-tolls.

“Workers will be protected in terms of the Labour Relations Act to participate in all the organised activities by the federation,” said Cosatu in a statement.

The City of Cape Town has warned of road closures due to the march.

Participants will gather at Keizersgracht and proceed down Darling Street into Adderley Street, turning left into Bureau/Spin Street and turning right into Plein Street to proceed to Parliament. The return route will be via Roeland Street to Buitenkant Street, into Darling Street and back to Keizersgracht. Participants will then disperse from Keizersgracht.

“The abovementioned roads along the route will be closed between 09:00 and 16:00 to accommodate the participants. In addition, no parking will be allowed along this route between 06:00 and 16:00. All road users are advised to use alternative routes on the day,” the city said on its website.

Cape Times

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