THE e-tolling system installed on Gauteng's major highways has come under severe attack from the Congress of SA Trade Unions.
The trade union federation has called on motorists to boycott the e-tags - through which levies are charged whenever vehicles drive past the automated tollgates.
Cosatu said yesterday the boycott should continue until the government addressed the concerns of affordability that were raised during public hearings.
It is also planning a march - to be joined by other concerned civil society groups - in February next year to protest against thee-tolling system.
"In the meantime we are urging people not to buy e-tags and, if the tolls have not been scrapped, we will be encouraging motorists to drive through the tolls without paying," Cosatu said.
Gauteng e-tolling is scheduled to start in February and last month motorists were asked to start registering their vehicles by purchasing e-tags.
Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said there had been two meetings at the National Economic Development and Labour Council, where Cosatu tabled their demands, including rescinding the implementation of e-tolling.
"Accordingly, we shall issue a final notice to Nedlac that will give us a right to a protected strike at the end of February 2012," Vavi said.
He said the government agreed to initiate discussions on public transport at the meeting and agreed that the implementation of further phases of the tollgates should be reassessed.
Vavi said Cosatu had sought a meeting with Transport Minister Sbu Ndebele to explain why the tollgates project was still being implemented.
During the public hearings, Cosatu argued that the tolls would mean a steep increase in the cost of living of road users
Gauteng MEC for roads and transport Ismail Vadi had slammed the SA National Roads Agency for registering motorists for the e-tolling system while public hearings were still being held.
During the hearing, at the Gauteng legislature, civil groups, political parties and unions stood together to reject the system.
Call for boycott of road toll system e-tags
THE e-tolling system installed on Gauteng's major highways has come under severe attack from the Congress of SA Trade Unions.
The trade union federation has called on motorists to boycott the e-tags - through which levies are charged whenever vehicles drive past the automated tollgates.
Cosatu said yesterday the boycott should continue until the government addressed the concerns of affordability that were raised during public hearings.
It is also planning a march - to be joined by other concerned civil society groups - in February next year to protest against thee-tolling system.
"In the meantime we are urging people not to buy e-tags and, if the tolls have not been scrapped, we will be encouraging motorists to drive through the tolls without paying," Cosatu said.
Gauteng e-tolling is scheduled to start in February and last month motorists were asked to start registering their vehicles by purchasing e-tags.
Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said there had been two meetings at the National Economic Development and Labour Council, where Cosatu tabled their demands, including rescinding the implementation of e-tolling.
"Accordingly, we shall issue a final notice to Nedlac that will give us a right to a protected strike at the end of February 2012," Vavi said.
He said the government agreed to initiate discussions on public transport at the meeting and agreed that the implementation of further phases of the tollgates should be reassessed.
Vavi said Cosatu had sought a meeting with Transport Minister Sbu Ndebele to explain why the tollgates project was still being implemented.
During the public hearings, Cosatu argued that the tolls would mean a steep increase in the cost of living of road users
Gauteng MEC for roads and transport Ismail Vadi had slammed the SA National Roads Agency for registering motorists for the e-tolling system while public hearings were still being held.
During the hearing, at the Gauteng legislature, civil groups, political parties and unions stood together to reject the system.
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