Cosatu asks government to soften blow of price hikes
EVEN though the Congress of the South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) supports the ANC’s declaration of the country’s energy crisis, the federation says it’s concerned about the rising cost of living.
“The federation is happy that the president and the lekgotla have moved to endorse and adopt the federation’s proposal for the declaration of the state of disaster to manage the electricity crisis crippling the economy.
“The state of disaster will send the message to society that the government is treating this crisis with the urgency it requires,” Cosatu spokesperson Sizwe Pamla said in a statement.
However, while Cosatu welcomed the declaration following the ANC lekgotla, African Transformation Movement leader Vuyo Zungula said it was not the solution.
“Declaring a state of disaster for energy is not a solution. The country is still reeling from the Covid-19 state of disaster, where rampant looting and favouring friends with relief packages were rife. Eskom must be put under administration with a multiparty committee as overseer,” Zungula said.
Cosatu also called on the government to help soften the blow of the rising
cost of living following yet another fuel price hike yesterday.
Cosatu said consumers who were already struggling to make ends meet would be negatively affected by the high cost of electricity and petrol hikes. It said it was concerned by the increases in the price of electricity and fuel, and the decision by the Reserve Bank to increase the repo rate.
“This is really going to leave many workers and their families struggling.
“We have many, many workers who are earning the national minimum wage, which means those workers will struggle to feed and clothe themselves and their families.”
Cosatu said the increase in the price of fuel would also hamper the productivity and growth of thousands of SMEs, whose workers ran the risk of being laid off.