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The Congress of South African Trade Unions is calling on all workers to cooperate with government institutions during this 21-day lockdown period imposed by government to fight Covid-19. The priority during this period should be saving lives and helping to stem the tide of this virus. Let us all rally around the relevant government institutions and collectively work to realise the objectives of this shutdown because if we fail the biggest victims will be working-class communities.

We appreciate the invaluable and commendable dedication of our public service employees who have put aside their grievances and committed themselves to lead from the front in the fight against this deadly virus. These courageous and dedicated workes are the true champions who carry the fate of this nation on their backs every day. They spare neither strength nor energy to save lives and deliver services to the people.

The Federation is deeply perturbed by the opportunism of some employers who are using this difficult period of a crisis to settle scores and intensify their exploitation of workers.Many employers are compelling workers to take annual leave during the shutdown, something that is unlawful.  Government, Organised Labour and Business Unity SA have agreed that all non-essential workers are to be placed on paid special leave during the shutdown. 

This is not supposed to come from annual, sick or other leave.  All employers must pay workers the wages due to them and continue to pay them during this compulsory shut down. Shutdown starts today at 12:00 midnight, so there is no excuse for not paying workers for the month of March.

COSATU condemns all employers compelling workers to take their annual leave during the national 21-day shut down and we call on the Department of Labour to release the special tollfree number where workers can report this

The President in his public address on the 23rd March 2020 called on all businesses to take care of workers during this 21-day shutdown. Strong and decisive action should be taken to deal with all employers who defy this directive from the government.

After winning the fight against this virus, we shall unite as workers to focus on taming this unrestrained greed and inexcusable exploitation. The same exploitative businesses will be demanding to be cushioned from the crisis through bailouts and subsidies, while they are bullying and intimidating workers now.

We call on BUSA and other employer organisations to speak out against these callous employers who bully workers. They need to engage their membership and emphasise the need for ethical conduct, decency, solidarity, and humanitarianism during this crisis.

Political Office Bearers and company bosses cannot continue to self-importantly pay themselves hefty salary packages in the midst of an economic collapse and company failures during this crisis

Since the country is in a crisis, we expect politicians and company executives to adjust the way they determine their perks and salaries. Already workers were already being told that it is a virtue to accept inflation-linked salary and wage increments. We want both public and private sector leaders to lead by example by sacrificing some of their perks and benefits in solidarity with the poor majority.

Unequal access to nutritious food and healthcare add to the burden facing the poor and working-class families. We call on workers, businesses to show solidarity to those whose livelihoods will be inconvenienced by the shutdown. People must share and donate to those in need and municipalities should distribute food parcels the same way they do during the election period.

The future of humanity is at stake and we reiterate our call on all workers to play their role to make sure that we win this fight against Covid-19

Issued by COSATU