The union, along with COSATU and SAFTU, is urging Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to prioritise a people-centred approach that supports economic growth and job creation.

FEDUSA’s Riefdah Ajam stressed the need to reinforce frontline public service departments, which she says have been severely affected by years of budget cuts.

“We believe that austerity has failed in all result. It has only led to the destruction and the destroying of jobs. It has starved the public services, and the knock-on effect has been the general public out there that have been deprived of vital economic services. It has only sought to widen inequality,” Ajam said.

“In short, we will continue to reject this austerity budget, as we know that further cuts will only just have a ravaging effect on essential services.”

Workers and unions are hopeful that today’s budget announcement will mark a shift towards more inclusive and sustainable economic policies.

--ChannelAfrica--