South Africa: Unions calls for nationwide strike October 7

Event

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has called on its 1.8 million members to take part in a nationwide strike on Wednesday, October 7, due to a wage dispute with the government. In addition to advising them not to attend work, COSATU has also called on members to rally in public spaces across the country without announcing specific sites. COSATU also called on members to block the N2 and N3 highways in KwaZulu-Natal province and to march in Durban. Convoy protests may also occur in the vicinity of protest sites. The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), the South African Municipal Workers' Union (SAMWU), and the South African Municipal Workers' Union (SAMWU) have also voiced support for the strike.

A heightened security presence and localized disruptions to transport are to be expected in the vicinity of any associated demonstrations.

Advice

Those in South Africa are advised to monitor the situation, anticipate transportation disruptions, avoid all protests or demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.