-
[File photo] Shoppers look for items as they shop at an outlet of retailer
The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (Giwusa) has expressed outrage over the government’s handling of the cost of living crisis in South Africa.
The latest Household Affordability Index report reveals that citizens spend more than 57% of their salaries on transport and electricity, leaving insufficient funds for basic necessities like food.
Giwusa president Mametlwe Sebei says the government is treating the pockets of the working class people as limitless.
Mametlwe further attributes the living crisis to the capitalisation of Eskom away from the public service model to a profit-making institution.
Minimum wage
Meanwhile, Giwusa is calling for the country’s national minimum wage to start at R15 000.
The union says the national minimum wage hurts workers, reduces productivity in the workplace, and slows down economic growth.
Sebei says the current national minimum wage has institutionalised the low-baseline wage regime and locked millions of workers into poverty.
PODCAST | SA’s cost of living crisis reaches alarming levels:
