COSATU demands action on unemployment and electricity costs ahead of SONA

High unemployment and slow economic growth will remain at the top of the agenda for trade union federation COSATU when the President delivers the State of the Nation Address on Thursday.

The umbrella body says while it applauds the "green shoots" following a chapter of state capture and corruption, the one percent economic growth and 42% unemployment rate need decisive action.

Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) says that in solidarity with millions of struggling workers, it has high expectations of President Cyril Ramaphosa to respond to working-class problems.

Thursday night’s State of the Nation Address will be only the second delivered under the Government of National Unity.

COSATU says while it welcomes the progress made in overcoming loadshedding, it is critical that the government deals with the unaffordability of electricity.

"Fundamental to making electricity affordable for all consumers is for everyone to be moved towards pre-paid electricity billing, as well as dealing decisively with the R100-billion municipal debt, corruption, and other acts of criminality," says COSATU’s Parliamentary Coordinator, Matthew Parks.

Parks says the union is also concerned about the deteriorating state of many municipalities and is calling for corrupt leaders to be removed.

"South Africa can no longer afford to treat criminals with kid gloves, nor to allow violent crimes to become the norm, especially in working-class communities," Parks added.

Parks says while obstacles to economic growth are being tackled, relief for the poor and unemployed must be increased by raising the Social Relief of Distress grant to the food poverty line.