insert_link South Africa SA Union Condemns Retailers for High Food Prices Amid Falling Input Costs The South African Federation of Trade Unions says it strongly condemns retailers that keep essential food items’ prices high despite declining input costs. The Competition Commission’s latest Essential Food Price Monitoring Report revealed that input costs of essential food items have declined, yet their retail prices remain unjustifiably high. Saftu’s, Mogoshadi Maserumule, says the profitability of the South African retailers, extracted from the working class through low wages and high […] todayOctober 9, 2024 14
insert_link South Africa South AFrican Union Accuses Department of Higher Education of Irresponsibility Over Unspent Funds The South African Federation of Trade Union has accused the Department of Higher Education of being irresponsible, after returning 580-million-rand in unspent funds to the National Treasury. This was during former minister Blade Nzimande's tenure. The money could have funded a total of nine-thousand-and-71 students for one academic year. Simultaneously, the department paid seven-million-rand annually to 30 suspended employees. Saftu’s spokesperson, Trevor Shaku, says this underspending is mismanagement by the […] todayJuly 23, 2024 27
insert_link South Africa South African Federation of Trade Unions Expresses Concern Over Impact of Fuel Price Hikes on Working Class The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) has voiced apprehension regarding the recent fuel price hikes, emphasizing the strain it imposes on the cost of living for the working class. Petrol has surged to one rand and 21 cents per litre, with corresponding increases in diesel and illuminating paraffin. SAFTU's spokesperson, Trevor Shaku, highlights data from the Household General Survey, revealing that two-thirds of the country's workforce relies on […] todayMarch 6, 2024 26
insert_link South Africa Outrage as Eskom Fails to End Load-Shedding, Despite Stabilization Claims The South African Federation of Trade Unions expresses outrage as Eskom management and the government struggle to halt load-shedding, despite President Cyril Ramaphosa's assurances of stabilizing the energy supply. Over the weekend, Eskom implemented stage six load-shedding after losing nine generating units, totaling 4,400 megawatts. Saftu's spokesperson, Trevor Shaku, voices concern over the ANC's attempts to rationalize poor Eskom management, emphasizing the need for effective solutions to address the ongoing […] todayFebruary 13, 2024 16
insert_link South Africa South African Federation of Trade Unions Backs Competition Commission’s Constitutional Court Appeal on Alleged Currency Manipulation The South African Federation of Trade Unions has expressed support for the Competition Commission's appeal to the Constitutional Court regarding the alleged manipulation of the rand/dollar exchange rate from 2007 to 2013. Despite the Competition Appeals Court dismissing the case earlier due to insufficient evidence of a coordinated conspiracy, the commission's appeal targets 13 banks, including ten international ones. SAFTU spokesperson Trevor Shaku emphasizes the importance of holding all implicated […] todayFebruary 8, 2024 6
South Africa South African Federation of Trade Unions says it is shocked and saddened by the tragic loss of life of eleven mineworkers The South African Federation of Trade Unions says it is shocked and saddened by the tragic loss of life of eleven mineworkers at Impala Platinum Mine in Rustenburg, North West. The workers died after the conveyance cage that took workers down a mine shaft and back to the surface broke. Saftu’s national spokesperson, Trevor Shaku, says by now mine health and safety should have improved to zero injuries and fatalities […] todayNovember 29, 2023 15
insert_link South Africa South African Federation of Trade Unions disappointed at Reserve Bank’s continued restrictive monetary policy The South African Federation of Trade Unions says it is disappointed that the South African Reserve Bank continues to pursue a restrictive monetary policy. The bank’s Monetary Policy Committee has kept the repo rate unchanged at 8.25-percent, leaving the prime lending rate at 11.75-percent. Saftu’s national spokesperson, Trevor Shaku, says a restrictive monetary policy harms growth prospects and hurts the working class more than any other section of the economy. […] todayNovember 24, 2023 20