Strike over privatisation looms

South Africa’s largest labour federation, COSATU, said on Monday it would soon serve notice for a two-day national strike to protest against the government’s privatisation programme, Reuters reported on Monday. COSATU spokesman Siphiwe Mgcina told Reuters no date had been set for the filing of the notice, but said legal consultations were close to finalisation.

He said the decision to embark on a two-day national strike was adopted over the weekend during a congress of one of COSATU’s affiliates. COSATU, one of the ruling African National Congress’ (ANC) tripartite alliance partners, argues that the privatisation programme is being pursued at the expense of jobs. The government has lined up millions of dollars worth of state-owned assets for privatisation in an exercise that could boost South Africa’s low foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows.

“Privatisation is a threat to our jobs, quality service to the poor and the ability of the state to play a developmental role,” said Mgcina. “It has occurred in the absence of a policy and legislative framework negotiated with all key stakeholders.” According to COSATU, about one million people have lost their jobs since the start of the privatisation drive in 1997 and more jobs could be purged as the process shifts into top gear.