Cosatu, Saftu says Eskom hike ‘a blow’ to workers
Trade union federations have added their voice to those slamming national energy regulator Nersa’s decision to grant Eskom a 19% tariff hike from April.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has called on the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy to grant Eskom the ability to import more diesel to keep the lights on.
Nersa approved the power utility an 18.65% increase this week, after it asked for a 32% increase for the 2023/24 financial year.
The utility was also granted 12.7% for the next financial year.
Cosatu’s Sizwe Pamla says the increase is a devastating blow to workers’ pockets.
"Whilst this increase is less than the 32% hike Eskom requested, it will still be devastating for the unemployed and those who are dealing with wage stagnation. It will be a further burden to companies struggling to keep afloat because of a stagnant economy," says Pamla.
He says people's jobs will be at stake.
"These increases only serve to pickpocket workers of their meagre wages, suffocate businesses and deny the economy the chance to reduce unemployment.”
Meanwhile, rival federation The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) has also rejected the massive tariff hike.
Saftu’s Trevor Shaku says the increase will suffocate working-class households.
"Any in the cost of electricity, food, fuel, transport, hygiene products and other household essentials is making the living conditions of ordinary workers worse and unaffordable even for so-called middle income earners."
