By Nozipho Mjwara
More than 1 000 protestors took to the streets of Durban on Monday as part of a nationwide Congress of South African Trade Union (Cosatu) strike.
The protest began from King Dinuzulu Park to the City Hall.
Union leaders presented a memorandum to government officials, including the minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Blade Nzimande, KZN MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi and eThekwini mayor Mr Cyril Xaba.
The memorandum, handed over by the Cosatu provincial secretary Edwin Mkhize, highlighted key issues facing workers in KZN and across South Africa, demanding immediate action from the government.
“We can’t have an economy while workers are dismissed from their jobs. Those who are rich remain rich and those who are poor remain poor. That must change,” he said
Workers from retail stores also joined the protest, raising concerns about poor treatment at their workplaces.
According to a retail store worker, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals, they have not received new uniforms in three years, their staff discounts have been revoked and they are not paid double wages for Sunday shifts as required.
Nzimande signed the memorandum on behalf of the government, promising to deliver it to President Cyril Ramaphosa and urged workers to remain united.
“If your demands are not fulfilled, people mustn’t give up. They must (keep fighting),” he urged.
Cosatu warned that more demonstrations will follow if the government fails to act on their demands.
