The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has given notice of its intention to embark on protest action on Wednesday, 7 October 2026 from 09h00 until 16h30.

According to COSATU, the main reasons for the protest action arise from COSATU's longstanding Section 77 notice concerning South Africa’s economic crisis, the rising cost of living, and the call for decent work.

It is quite ironic that the issues COSATU wishes to highlight by way of this protest action is a direct result of the poor economic policies of the ANC. The very same ANC that COSATU wholeheartedly supports as part of the tripartite alliance. COSATU is in fact protesting against itself.

Furthermore, it is not clear how undertaking protest action will make any difference on any of these issues; nobody will even take notice of the protest. That is to say, if COSATU is even able to mobilise any of its members, judging from the paltry turnout at COSATU protest actions over the last number of years, it seems that even COSATU members no longer wish to waste their time on these nonsensical marches.

The protest action has been approved by NEDLAC and is therefore protected.

The principle of no-work-no-pay will apply to all employees who are absent due to participation in the protest action.

Employees may not be disciplined for being absent if they participate in the protest action, but they may be disciplined for any misconduct committed during the protest action.

Employers can contact their NEASA regional office for any queries in this regard.