COSATU Calls for Nationwide Strike Across South Africa on October 7 Over Retrenchments and Cost of Living

COSATU Mobilizes for National Socio-Economic Protest

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has declared a 24-hour nationwide strike set for Tuesday, October 7, 2025, across South Africa. The federation is calling on workers to participate in a socio-economic protest action to voice grievances against profit-driven retrenchments and the rising cost of living. This action is expected to include marches and pickets in all major cities and towns throughout the country.

The protest, which will run from 00:00 to 23:59 on the designated day, is a culmination of long-standing demands by COSATU concerning South Africa's economic challenges. It has been declared a protected socio-economic protest action under Section 77 of the Labour Relations Act (LRA), following a legally compliant notice to the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC). This legal protection means that employees participating in the strike will not face disciplinary action, although the 'no-work-no-pay' principle will apply.

Key Demands and Economic Context

COSATU's primary demands center on an immediate halt to retrenchments aimed at maximizing profits, which they argue contribute to weak economic growth and escalating living costs. The union federation has consistently highlighted concerns over South Africa's economic trajectory, pointing to a tepid economic growth of 0.1% in Quarter 1 of 2025 and persistently high unemployment rates, which stood at 43.1% overall and 72% for youth in the same period.

The dispute's roots trace back to August 21, 2017, when COSATU first submitted its economic crisis notice to NEDLAC, demanding an end to profit-driven job cuts. Despite engagements, the federation states that its demands have largely remained unresolved, prompting the current protest. Beyond retrenchments and the cost of living, COSATU's broader demands also address issues such as corruption, Eskom's proposed 36% tariff hike, and government's austerity measures and privatization strategies.

Anticipated Impact and Business Reaction

The nationwide strike is expected to cause widespread service disruptions across various sectors, including transportation and healthcare. As a build-up to the full-day strike, 2-hour pickets were also held at various workplaces starting September 16, 2025.

Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) has expressed concerns regarding the planned strike, suggesting that while COSATU's grievances are valid, the protest may not effectively address the underlying structural economic issues. BUSA CEO Cas Coovadia remarked that 'At a time when our economy is under severe strain, such protests will only add further pressure, and do not contribute to efforts to achieve sustainable economic recovery.' BUSA has also advocated for reforms to Section 77 of the Labour Relations Act to prevent the misuse of strikes based on what they consider 'outdated Nedlac certificates.'