The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes the call by public service unions to suspend the strike, which has already had seriously implications for both the South African people and economy. In playing for time to serve their own political agenda, the unions have demonstrated a serious misunderstanding of the far-reaching economic consequences of this strike. The greatest cost, of course, will most certainly be that the increased wage demands, which were made on a government fiscus that was already over-burdened and over-extended, will see the government having to source the funds elsewhere. Inevitably, this shall have far-reaching effects for the budget allocations for departments that actually endeavour to provide South Africans with the most basic services.

To cut a long story short: the unions demands are already costing jobs in the here and now; if they push through their demands they will cost this country jobs in the future too. The supposed victory for the workers declared today by SADTU president, Thobile Ntola, is tragically a pyrrhic one, both for present and future workers. The increased government wage bill effectively means government has fewer funds to hire more people and roll out crucial services to the greater populace. Indeed, it is the latter who have been and will continue to be the biggest victims of this strike at the hands of unions. Whatever the immediate victory, in the end, the short-sightedness of the unions shall only mean long-term defeat for many South Africans.