COSATU urges government to extend fuel levy relief

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has urged the government to do more to protect workers and the economy from steep fuel price hikes.  

COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator Matthew Parks said the increases, including more than R3 for petrol, R6 for diesel, and R4 for paraffin, will deepen the cost-of-living crisis.  

READ: Fuel price hike for on the cards for May

"This is a painful blow that millions of struggling workers and commuters, and an already stagnant economy stuck at anemic 1% growth, simply cannot afford," said Parks.

Parks said government's fuel levy relief for May and June is welcome, but warns that workers and the economy may not cope if that relief is reduced in June and phased out in July while international prices remain high.

The union federation also notes that there is still no relief for the sharp increase in paraffin prices.

"The most important source of relief for workers, society, and the economy is to maintain the fuel levy relief while oil and fuel prices remain high," Parks added.

COSATU is also calling for cheaper public transport and further interventions if inflation rises. These include adjustments to social grants and steps to curb food and electricity price increases.