THOUSANDS of Eastern Cape workers are expected to down tools today and join Cosatu's nationwide strike against labour brokers and toll roads in Gauteng.
The labour federation's provincial leaders are predicting that Eastern Cape will come to a virtual standstill with about 20,000 workers expected to march in six of the province's biggest cities and towns.
Cosatu's provincial secretary, Mandla Rayi, said yesterday thousands of unemployed people were expected to swell the ranks of striking union members. Organisations like the Black Sash and Treatment Action Campaign have also promised to join the strike.
Rayi said a strike certificate obtained by Cosatu covered all workers, members or non-members.
"We take this very seriously. Labour brokers must go. We don' need them," Rayi said.
The labour federation is also marching in protest against the pending implementation of tolls on Gauteng's freeways.
"There will be no violence during the strike but we are doing everything to make workers' grievances noticed," Rayi said.
Cosatu claims the strike will be one of the biggest in recent years. The federation said 32 marches would take place around the country.
In the Eastern Cape, these will include:
l East London - marchers will march from North End Stadium to the department of labour's office.
l Port Elizabeth - marchers will gather at Nangoza Jebe Hall and march to Vuyisile Mini Square.
l In Mthatha - marchers will start at Freedom Square and move to the department of labour's office.
l Lusikisiki - marchers will march from St Elizabeth Hospital to the department of labour's offices.
l Queenstown - protesters will converge at Mzingisi Skweyiya Hall and proceed to the department of labour's office.
l In Kokstad - last night Cosatu was still to announce where the march was expected to start.
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa's general secretary Irvin Jim called on members to join the protest.
"If we are to defeat labour brokering with all its precarious exploitative conditions, we must organise every sector of our society to say no to this cheap labour system which is equal to modern slavery. Make sure the economy is bolted . at a standstill. This is our opportunity to bury labour brokers," he said.
Brigadier Marinda Mills said: "Police will not tolerate people breaking the law."
Border-Kei Chamber of Business's Les Holbrook said it was difficult to anticipate how the strike would pan out.
Strike set to bring East Cape to standstill
THOUSANDS of Eastern Cape workers are expected to down tools today and join Cosatu's nationwide strike against labour brokers and toll roads in Gauteng.
The labour federation's provincial leaders are predicting that Eastern Cape will come to a virtual standstill with about 20,000 workers expected to march in six of the province's biggest cities and towns.
Cosatu's provincial secretary, Mandla Rayi, said yesterday thousands of unemployed people were expected to swell the ranks of striking union members. Organisations like the Black Sash and Treatment Action Campaign have also promised to join the strike.
Rayi said a strike certificate obtained by Cosatu covered all workers, members or non-members.
"We take this very seriously. Labour brokers must go. We don' need them," Rayi said.
The labour federation is also marching in protest against the pending implementation of tolls on Gauteng's freeways.
"There will be no violence during the strike but we are doing everything to make workers' grievances noticed," Rayi said.
Cosatu claims the strike will be one of the biggest in recent years. The federation said 32 marches would take place around the country.
In the Eastern Cape, these will include:
l East London - marchers will march from North End Stadium to the department of labour's office.
l Port Elizabeth - marchers will gather at Nangoza Jebe Hall and march to Vuyisile Mini Square.
l In Mthatha - marchers will start at Freedom Square and move to the department of labour's office.
l Lusikisiki - marchers will march from St Elizabeth Hospital to the department of labour's offices.
l Queenstown - protesters will converge at Mzingisi Skweyiya Hall and proceed to the department of labour's office.
l In Kokstad - last night Cosatu was still to announce where the march was expected to start.
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa's general secretary Irvin Jim called on members to join the protest.
"If we are to defeat labour brokering with all its precarious exploitative conditions, we must organise every sector of our society to say no to this cheap labour system which is equal to modern slavery. Make sure the economy is bolted . at a standstill. This is our opportunity to bury labour brokers," he said.
Brigadier Marinda Mills said: "Police will not tolerate people breaking the law."
Border-Kei Chamber of Business's Les Holbrook said it was difficult to anticipate how the strike would pan out.
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