JOHANNESBURG, South Africa
Thousands of people across
South Africa are taking part in a national strike in protest at the rising cost
of living.
Two of the country’s largest
unions are leading the strike, calling for a “total shutdown” of the economy in
protest against high unemployment levels, and rising fuel and electricity
costs.
Marches are expected in all
provinces, with the largest rallies likely to be in Cape Town and Pretoria.
The unions want a government cap on fuel prices, as well as a drop in interest rates and an income grant.
Around a third of South
Africans are unemployed, and the country is grappling with the economic impact
of global events such Covid and the war in Ukraine.
While organisers of
Wednesday’s action say they aim to bring the country to an economic halt, they
have also acknowledged that numbers on the streets may not match similar
shutdowns in previous years.
The government says a no-work
no-pay principle will apply – and essential workers cannot take part.
But unions say they see this is as the start of a series of actions they’re willing to undertake, until they get results.
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