Unions Call Nationwide Protests In South Africa

Published March 7, 2012 6:18AM (EST)

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African police expect tens of thousands of people to join nationwide demonstrations organized by the country's biggest trade union federation.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions, known as COSATU, cited two reasons for Wednesday's marches. Support from across the political, racial and economic spectrum has emerged for one goal, getting the African National Congress-led government to scrap planned tolls to pay for road upgrades in the Johannesburg area. COSATU says that will make life more expensive for the working class, and business doesn't want the cost of moving goods to rise.

COSATU also wants the government to ban companies that supply temporary workers. COSATU says so-called labor brokers keep businesses from creating secure, well-paying jobs.


By Salon Staff

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