Saftu Archives - Voice of the Cape

SAFTU condemns attack on EMS workers in Khayelitsha

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) has strongly condemned the attack on emergency medical services (EMS) workers in Makhaza, Khayelitsha, over the weekend. Reports indicate that seven criminals hijacked an ambulance and allegedly sexually assaulted one of the EMS staff members. Saftu spokesperson Newton Masuku highlighted the devastating impact of such incidents on communities. “These are essential services. The implications are dire because EMS personnel provide emergency care […]

25 February 2025

Features

SAFTU leads national protest against austerity measures

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) will lead a national protest on Wednesday, 19 February 2025, calling for higher taxes on the wealthy, an end to budget cuts, and the implementation of a Basic Income Grant. Speaking on VOC’s NewsBeat on Tuesday, SAFTU spokesperson Newton Masuku emphasized the significance of the demonstration. “The protest serves two roles first, to bring these demands to the forefront and spread awareness […]

18 February 2025

Local

SAFTU urges the government to implement the High Court ruling on the Social Relief of Distress Grant without delay

By Rachel Mohamed The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) has urged the government to respect and promptly implement the High Court ruling in Pretoria regarding the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant. This request follows the court's judgment last Thursday, which may facilitate access to the SRD Grant for more individuals. One of the key points of the ruling was that a regulation related to the SRD Grant […]

27 January 2025

News

SAFTU slams employers over Minimum Wage Act violations

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) has condemned employers for neglecting the National Minimum Wage Act and called for stricter enforcement by the Department of Employment and Labour. The union has rejected the proposed hourly wage of R28.79, arguing that it is insufficient given the rising costs of food, transport, and electricity. SAFTU demands a monthly living wage of R15,000 to address the increasing financial strain on workers. […]

20 January 2025

News

Saftu intensifies call for Israeli product boycott amid Gaza crisis

By Lee-Yandra Paulsen The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) is intensifying its call for a complete boycott of Israeli products in response to the ongoing destruction in Gaza. The union has criticized the upcoming African Global Dialogue in Johannesburg for minimizing the crisis and excluding Palestinian voices. General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi urged South Africans to join global solidarity efforts and apply economic pressure on Israel for its military […]

18 September 2024

News

SAFTU calls for an interest rate drop, as consumer inflation eases

By Loushe Jordaan Gilbert Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) released data on Wednesday showing that July's inflation figure is the lowest it has been in three years, since July 2021. Several product categories, such as food and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as transportation, showed lower yearly rates. The drop in inflation from 5.1% in June to 4.6% in July has been enthusiastically observed by the South African Federation of Trade […]

22 August 2024

Local

Saftu, Cosatu say not much to celebrate after unemployment rate in SA decreases by 0.2%

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) said although the unemployment figures for Q4 of 2022 show a minor decline, it remains doubtful that the country has entered a trajectory of growth of employment. Stats SA revealed yesterday that the country's official unemployment rate eased marginally to 32.7% in the fourth quarter, a decrease of 0.2% from the previous quarter's 32.9% Saftu’s, Trevor Shaku, said overall the economy has […]

1 March 2023

Local

SAPU withdraws affiliation with SAFTU

LOCAL The South African Policing Union (SAPU) has announced a decision to withdraw its affiliation with the South African Federation of Trade Union (SAFTU). SAPU is the second biggest policing union in the country and was one of the founding members of SAFTU five years ago. It says that under SAFTU, the union’s dream of a new, independent, militant and campaigning federation could not be realised as the organisation failed to grow […]

2 December 2022

Local

SAFTU plans national shutdown against rising cost of living

LOCAL The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) is planning a national shutdown to respond to escalating food, electricity and fuel costs. SAFTU General-Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi is encouraging South Africans to turn up in their numbers to speak out. Vavi says the current state of the country is not the freedom that people should be celebrating. “We cannot allow our country to be at the doorstep of a failed […]

7 July 2022

Saftu

Download our new app

Download
our new app