The Congress of SA Trade Unions on Tuesday said its members would take to the streets to protests against the electricity and fuel price hikes.

"These are reasons why Cosatu will take to the streets on 9 July, in protest against these assaults on our living standards," said federation spokesperson Patrick Craven in a statement.

In their demands, Cosatu stated that wages must be increased to compensate workers for the drop in their living conditions.

Cosatu also demanded that social grants be increased by at least the current rate of inflation

"A basic income grant must be introduced to give minimum income to those who do not quality for social grants," said the federation.

The federation called for tougher action against companies found guilty of price fixing.

Sasol and ArcelorMittal came under fire from Cosatu which said these companies should be "re-nationalised and compelled to sell their petrol and steel at a cheaper price".

In the statement the federation said the electricity tariffs and petrol increments would have an effect on the cost of transport and manufactured goods.

"Everytime it is the poorest consumers that suffer the most. They spend their meagre salary on basics like food and taxi fares," Craven said.

Cosatu criticised the increments in interest rates announced by the Reserve Bank in the past two months.


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