Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Fuel price hike ‘to hit the working class the hardest’
TRADE unions and political parties say this week’s significant fuel hike, coupled with the proposed Eskom tariff increases, will hit the working class the hardest.
On Wednesday, South African motorists were greeted with an increase of 65c and 67c respectively for a litre of 93 and 95 petrol, while a litre of diesel with 0.05% sulphur saw a R3.22 increase while the 0.005% diesel moving by R1.78.
Illuminating paraffin decreased by 29c a litre, while gas went down by 19c a kilogram.
The increases, according to the Central Energy Fund, came as a result of the increase in the price of Brent crude oil, while the recovery of the rand to the dollar exchange rate accounted for the decreases.
Mametlwe Sebei, president of the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa said the union was extremely concerned and opposed to fuel price increases, especially given that electricity tariffs were also expected to rise by 12.75%.
Sebei said the fuel price changes were a bitter pill to swallow given that they came a few days shy of a month since the massive fuel price hikes at the beginning of March, meaning motorists would have to dig deeper to afford fuel compared to a month ago.
He explained that while the marginal declines came as a welcome relief, they did not nullify the most recent increases.
“These cents in differentials and changes may seem like small changes to those who enjoy financial stability, but they are worth much in the life of a worker, half of whom are earning a minimum wage of R3 800 and as much as 75% subsisting on less than R6 000 a month.
“In a nutshell the ruling capitalist class will use their economic power and dictatorship to offload the full burden of these fuel increases on the shoulders of the working class,” Sebei said.
The Public Servants Association (PSA) similarly raised concerns that the timing of the price hikes was particularly distressing given the recent announcement by the Minister of Public Service and Administration of a mere 4.7% salary increase for public servants.
“This inadequate adjustment fails to keep pace with the rising cost of living, leaving public servants struggling to make ends meet.
“The PSA demands transparency and accountability from the government regarding these decisions,” it said.
“A commitment is required to address the concerns of public servants who stand in service of citizens.
“It is unacceptable for them to bear the brunt of economic hardships whilst simultaneously being expected to fulfil crucial roles in delivering essential services.”
The association urged the government to reconsider what it described as “unjustified price increases” and to prioritise the wellbeing of citizens, including dedicated public servants.