WORKERS are oppressed and suffering.
This was revealed during a workers' march in Durban on Tuesday, 7 October.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) in KZN participated in the national strike that was called by the federation. Several decentralised activities were organised by Cosatu's affiliated unions and locals across the province.
The main provincial march took place in Durban and it started at King Dinuzulu Park and proceeded to Durban City Hall. The march was led by leaders of the alliance, civic society, and Cosatu's 1st deputy president, Mike Shingange.
A memorandum of demand was handed over to the office of the Premier of KZN, the mayor of eThekwini, the CCMA and the Durban Business Chamber.
Speaking at the march president Shingange said there are many problems facing workers. He said the national strike seeks to highlight the worsening socio-economic conditions confronting workers and communities and to demand urgent action from government and employers.
Cosatu provincial secretary, Edwin Mkhize said workers are oppressed and suffering.
He said the key issues are the rising levels of unemployment, retrenchments, poverty and inequality.
"Equalisation of pay and implementation of benchmarking in municipalities. Reinstatement of unfairly dismissed workers and consistency in payment of salaries in municipalities such as eThekwini and Ray Nkonyeni," he said.
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He said they demand a review of the work of CCMA Commissioners to ensure fairness and consistency.
"Enforcement of labor laws and action against companies that are non-complying with national minimum wage, OHS, COIDA, including those that are exploiting foreign nationals for cheap labour," he said.
He said they want to see action taken against companies and institutions that are deducting monies of workers and not paying them to third parties.
"In the education sector, we demand for a filling of funded vacancies, improved conditions for Grade R practitioners, honoyring norms and standards and ensuring safety and security in schools.
He said they call for full funding of schools and the translation of nurses to appropriate salary levels.
"The permanent employment of Community Health Workers (CHWs). Opposition to the privatisation of Transnet and increases in train fares. Improvement and refurbishment of the rail infrastructure," he said.
A worker who asked not to be named, as she works in a retail store, said she joined the march because she wants to see change in the retail sector.
"We are underpaid for working long hours. Things should now change. We want these unions to fight for us," she said.
MEC for Sports, Mtomuhle Khawula received the memorandum on behalf of the premier. He said he will hand it over to the premier's office and responses will be given to the appropriate channels.
