Millions of South African workers participated in a one-day general strike on Aug. 6.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions called for the strike to protest the high cost of living and to warn companies against job cuts. The work stoppage affected schools, public transportation, carmakers and mines. Gold Fields mines reported that only 7 percent of workers showed up, forcing production to come to a standstill.
Thousands of workers marched in at least 17 demonstrations throughout South Africa. People chanted and carried banners demanding an end to the rising prices in food, fuel and electricity, and an increase in wages and government subsidies for much-needed commodities.
A woman striker stated: “Food is at a higher price than petrol. Everything is high. We cannot live life like this. We are sick and tired. … The government must make a plan.”
COSATU has announced another strike for next month.
