It's all systems go for what has been described as the biggest mass action strike in years with 32 protest actions to take place nationwide!

South Africa’s two largest trade union federations, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and the National Council of Trade Unions (NACTU) have called for a nationwide strike today, 7 March against the Labour Broking industry in the country.

This after the National Economic Development and Labour Council's (a tripartite institution) confirmed that there is a deadlock between the social partners on the question of labour brokers. The federations has for some time been calling for the complete banning of labour brokers, likening it to modern day slavery.

"They are nothing more than human traffickers, making huge profits by hiring out workers to their client companies as if we are no more than commodities like office furniture or stationery."

There is a call for people to boycott businesses that use labour brokers and the withdrawal of provident funds invested in businesses that use labour brokers.

BWI affiliates the National Union of Mine Workers (NUM) and the Building Construction and Allied Workers Union (BCAWU) has mobilised their members to participate in the strike.