Cape Town — Trade unions and workers today marched through the streets of Cape Town, as part of a national campaign by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), demanding the government abolish labour brokering nationally and stop the e-tolling that is being implemented in Gauteng.
The protesters, estimated at more than 10 000, led by Cosatu Western Cape Secretary Chairperson Tony Ehrenreich flooded the streets carrying banners and singing liberation songs peacefully. Addressing the marchers, Ehrenreich said more than two million workers countrywide are taking to the streets with their community organisations to protest against the same issues.
He assured the protesters that his organisation is on their side and that they expect change as soon as possible. "We are saying we don't tolerate labour brokers in South Africa and we want change right now," he said.
Labour brokering has been described as a form of "modern-day slavery" as most of the people employed by such companies are given work without being offered any clear conditions of employment. The employees are not offered medical aid and pension.
Among the marchers was Lungisa Mkhosi who works at Parow Shoprite. He says he has been working for the company for the past year but he doesn't have any basic allowance but just his R350 weekly wage.
Nobalindi Mtyapa from the Saccawu said the issue of labour brokers is not affecting the employers but the society as a whole and that everyone should take part in the march.
She then added that one day their grievances will be met. She used the apartheid government as an example and said that during those days democracy seemed unachievable but "within years it was achieved". "Like wise, our demand will be met," she said.
Various organisations, like the ruling African National Congress' youth league, participated in the march and were given chances to voice their grievances on arrival at the parliament, where a memorandum was handed over.
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The Western Cape's ANCYL co-ordinator Mphila Senzeni said they have made it clear that they are against e-tolling in Gauteng and "it must stop immediately". He also urged people to stay alert lest it will end up being implemented in every province. "Let's say no to e-tolling, because if it has started in Gauteng, it will also come here in the Western Cape," said Senzeni.
Monwabisi Luthuli who was representing the South African Students Congress, said e-tolling is a new way to entrench people in poverty and that brokering has affected the students. "South African students are forced to be in debt while they are studying to work for the country due to the NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme of South Africa) policies that will in the long run, leave them under the brokering system," he said.
