COSATU hopes Budget 3.0 won't disappoint workers
Parks says Godongwana must provide relief for the unemployed by avoiding any austerity measures, protecting social grants from inflation and investing in public infrastructure.
COSATU’s Parliamentary coordinator Matthew Parks. Picture: X/Radio702
CAPE TOWN - The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) says it hopes government will not disappoint workers and table a budget that addresses their challenges.
COSATU parliamentary coordinator, Matthew Parks, said the working class and the country at large are battling several socio-economic crises and government has to take bold steps and present a progressive budget.
READ: MK Party moves motion to censure Godongwana for his mishandling of the budget process
On Wednesday, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will table his budget for the third time, after the last two were largely rejected due to a proposed VAT increase, which has since been removed.
Parks said Godongwana must provide relief for the unemployed by avoiding any austerity measures, protecting social grants from inflation and investing in public infrastructure.
"I think basically it’s threefold, one is to invest in public services, not just because they create jobs for workers in the public service, but working class communities more importantly, depend upon quality services. So if you have more teachers, that improves the ability of working-class children to get a good education."