By Charmaine Ndlela
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) PWV region took to the streets of Newtown, Johannesburg on Saturday, intensifying opposition to Eskom’s unbundling and also protesting economic pressures facing workers.
Led by NUM General Secretary Mpho Phakedi, the march saw workers mobilise in large numbers towards the Gauteng Premier’s Office, where a memorandum of demands was handed over, calling for urgent government intervention.
A parallel march took place in Polokwane under the leadership of Deputy General Secretary Phillip Mankge.
This follows Eskom’s restructuring plan, which seeks to split the utility into three entities: generation, transmission and distribution. While government maintains the move is aimed at improving efficiency and competitiveness, unions argue it is a gateway to privatisation.
In its memorandum, NUM stated that the unbundling process “threatens job security, weakens collective bargaining structures, and undermines South Africa’s energy sovereignty”.
Workers also raised alarm over widespread labour law violations,
You’ve reached your free article limit
Subscribe to enjoy unlimited access to trusted journalism. Start your free trial today.
Start your FREE trial nowNeed help? molokom@insideeducation.co.za
