
13 Mar National Shutdown: SAFTU Granted Permission to Strike for 31 Hours
On 20 March, the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) will join the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in a national shutdown. The National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) confirmed that the socio-economic protests would be protected, issuing SAFTU with a certificate for the National Shutdown. The protests are scheduled to begin five minutes after midnight and last for 31 hours.
NEDLAC’s Standing Committee considered SAFTU’s application and confirmed that the protest would be protected under Section 77 of the Labour Relations Act (LRA). Once a protest is protected, no employer may take disciplinary action against a worker who joins the protest.
SAFTU’s protest action will take place across all nine provinces of South Africa and its major cities. The protest is in response to the socio-economic crisis facing the country and not a political programme, said SAFTU leader Zwelinzima Vavi.
The EFF has been pushing for the country’s shutdown over load shedding, service delivery, and President Cyril Ramaphosa’s resignation. Julius Malema, EFF leader, said in February that “by the time people wake up, everything is happening” on 20 March.
The Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) has also pledged to join the EFF and “other progressive organisations” for the National Shutdown. The party encouraged all its structures to take to the streets on the day.
Tips to be prepared for
- Plan ahead and do your shopping in advance so that you do not have to venture out during the strike.
- Ensure that you have an adequate supply of any necessary medication.
- Take precautions to protect your home and loved ones.
- Prepare a “grab bag” with essentials in case you need to leave your home quickly.
- Check that all of your home security systems are functioning properly.
- Discuss a safety plan with your neighbours in case of emergency.
- Be aware of the possibility of looting and stock up on enough food and water for your family.
- Don’t forget to ensure the safety of your pets, who can serve as your first line of defense.
These tips are meant to help you stay safe and prepared during the national strike, and not to spread panic. It’s important to be proactive and take measures to protect yourself and your community.
Ensure the safety and security of your assets and staff during from protestors and potential looting with SSC’s Strike Force Protection Unit. Contact Howard@sscinfo.co.za +27 82 449 0317 / Hayley@sscinfo.co.za +27 83 679 3538 now to learn more about our Strike Force Protection Unit. It is essential that our team is present on your premises prior to the commencement of the protest action, equipped with a tailored plan for your business. In the event that protestors are already at your gates, our ability to provide assistance may be limited.