JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — Thousands of workers took to central Johannesburg on Wednesday to mark the World Day for Decent Work, calling for better pay and working conditions, as well as protection from inflation.
Organised by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), the demonstration saw workers filling the streets of the city’s central business district, marching behind union banners while singing, dancing, and holding placards calling for stronger protections for fixed-term workers and an end to retrenchments.
“Today, in a nutshell, we are practising what Karl Marx said: workers of the world must unite,” said Justice Nkomo, COSATU Gauteng Provincial Treasurer. “We are demonstrating it today here by raising our frustrations against the rising cost of living, rising unemployment, and continued corruption within both the public and private sectors… we want to secure job security for our members.”
The protesters were also deeply worried about rising fuel prices and their impact on people’s budgets. One activist, Monkuthazo Lukwe, said, “You can’t be working, but you still can’t afford your lifestyle.”
This shows that the government is under pressure regarding South Africa’s economy and labour force. In 2026, the national unemployment rate was 33.6%, meaning 8.5 million people were unemployed, with inflation at 4.4% in August.
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