The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) has called for urgent government intervention to address the country’s escalating youth unemployment crisis, as hundreds of workers and supporters marched through Johannesburg under the banner of workers’ rights.
Demonstrators warned that current economic policies are deepening poverty and widening inequality. The federation also criticised budget cuts and constrained public sector spending, arguing that they are worsening South Africa’s already high unemployment rate, with young people being most affected.
SAFTU leaders urged the government to urgently recalibrate its economic strategy, placing job creation, expanded public investment, and targeted support for struggling households at the centre of policy. The call was made during a march on Friday as pressure mounts over South Africa’s fragile labour market.
“The main demand for us is the devastating levels of unemployment in this country. The job bloodbath. The epidemic of factory and mine closures. The austerity that has led to the crumbling construction sector shedding hundreds of thousands of jobs,” a SAFTU spokesperson said.
The federation noted that 12.4 million people are poor, many of them without any income, forming the background to “devastating levels of poverty and hunger in this country.”
SAFTU stressed the urgent need for the reindustrialisation of the economy. “It is unsustainable just socially to have over 60% of the young roaming around the streets with no hope whatsoever. Right? It’s a ticking time bomb,” a spokesperson said. “Society cannot hold under those circumstances.”
The federation maintained that a state-led re-industrialisation of the economy and the beneficiation of minerals are essential. “You cannot rely on the export of raw materials and think that you will grow the economy and create employment,” a spokesperson added.
SAFTU also said that International Workers’ Day should not be marked by celebration but rather serve as a moment to reflect on persistent challenges. “We are not happy with this day called May Day. On this day, we must go to the department and give them our demands. Unfortunately, like we said, we gave them seven days. They will not respond to us,” a spokesperson stated.
The federation has vowed to intensify its campaign, warning that workers will continue to mobilise until their demands are addressed.
