Saftu members take their positions in nationwide strike
The union's general secretary says nonstriking workers will not be intimidated and violence will not be tolerated during the strike.
Saftu members gather in Newtown, central Johannesburg ahead of a nationwide march. Picture: ANA
Workers across the country’s major cities, including Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, are gathering at their respective assembly points for the nationwide South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) strike today.
"I am a WORKER and I am PROTECTED for the 25th #SAFTUstrike" pic.twitter.com/CS0ZWItdqK
— SAFTU (@SAFTU_media) April 16, 2018
The union is marching against the national minimum wage and proposed amendments to the labour law, which include that unions should ballot their members before embarking on strike action.
"I am worth more than R20 now"#ScrapNewLabourLaws #SaftuStrike #DefendTheRightToStrike @Numsa_Media pic.twitter.com/bqcMolw7rg
— SAFTU (@SAFTU_media) April 25, 2018
Saftu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi has said violence will not be tolerated during the strike and that no worker who chooses not to take part in the protest action will be intimidated.
SAPS has warned that no criminal behaviour will be tolerated during the marches around the country.
Some Saftu members marched with interesting placards depicting President Cyril Ramaphosa with buffalo horns, a reference to the president’s R18-million bid for buffalo several years ago.
https://twitter.com/Slindelo_M/status/989056299592757248
CARTOON OF THE DAY, BY @SiwelaCartoons #SAFTUstrike pic.twitter.com/DlX7eA2PQo
— The Citizen News (@TheCitizen_News) April 25, 2018
Here are more scenes from the march across the country:
#SAFTUstrike In Durban. Some of the placards @IOL @IOLPolitics pic.twitter.com/GvdbE208bI
— Zimasa Matiwane (@ZimasaMatiwane) April 25, 2018
CWAO: We do not want R20 per hour. We will fight until the working class in South Africa gets a living wage.#SAFTUstrike #DefendTheRightToStrike #ScrapNewLabourLaws pic.twitter.com/IlPXcRuba3
— DEMAWUSA (@RealDEMAWUSA) April 25, 2018
Hundreds of workers are gathered at the Newtown Precinct in Johannesburg to protest the proposed minimum wage of R20 p/h and the VAT increase to 15% #SAFTUstrike @GroundUp_News pic.twitter.com/1V6AEA7p2O
— Zoë Postman (@ZoePostman) April 25, 2018
"We are mobilizing everywhere and they can attack us" Support from @DETAWUOO1 DGS#SaftuStrike#ScrapNewLabourLaws pic.twitter.com/T6Jd3bGUzY
— SAFTU (@SAFTU_media) April 25, 2018
ALSO READ: Vavi says nonstriking workers will not be intimidated
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