JOHANNESBURG - For millions of South Africans, making a living is becoming increasingly difficult.
On International Day for Decent Work, labour federation COSATU is warning that workers must not become casualties of the AI revolution.
The federation led nationwide demonstrations on Wednesday, calling for an end to retrenchments and casualisation, while demanding greater protection for workers’ rights.
READ: Cosatu stages nationwide protests over jobs, wages and cost of living
As technology develops faster than many workers can adapt, COSATU says businesses must keep human capital at the centre of the workforce.
COSATU is also calling for stronger protection of collective bargaining in both the public and private sectors.
The federation says workers are already facing mounting pressure from retrenchments, rising living costs and what it describes as attacks on workers’ rights.
Amid ongoing labour disputes involving municipal workers, Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has urged residents to continue paying their municipal bills.
He says the revenue is essential to keeping the city operating and ensuring workers are paid.
COSATU has also dismissed reports of factionalism within the federation following tensions at its national congress.
It says disagreements among its leadership are part of its democratic processes and insists the federation remains united and focused on workers’ interests.
- eNCA's Naomi Kobbie reports.