COSATU: Govt must act decisively on electricity prices to avoid further job losses

CAPE TOWN - Trade union federation COSATU is calling for immediate action to reduce unaffordable electricity prices to prevent a job losses in some sectors. 

The federation said that since load shedding started in 2006, electricity prices had increased by more than 450%.

Spokesperson Matthew Parks said the latest increases would lead to the closure of businesses.

"These relentless electricity price hikes have led to closure of numerous smelters, with the latest alarms being sounded by Glencore that will see thousands of workers lose their jobs, more lost downstream and ghost towns created. Industry and labour have raised the alarm bells on this crisis with government over many years. It is time that government acted decisively to avoid further job losses."