29 January 2009
The SACP is extremely concerned about the reported news that government has not been able to pay bus subsidies due to the bus operators.
If left unattended this situation has the potential to result in job losses and drive many small operators into liquidation. This is indeed is an attack on not only the jobs of our people but irresponsible actions that deprives our people access to affordable means of transport.
The SACP has already been approached by some of the small bus operators, informing us about the dire situation they are in. Surely, as the SACP has consistently argued before, it cannot be that we throw billions of rands into wasteful expenditures like Gautrain, yet thousands of workers' jobs and income for small bus operators are placed jeopardy.
The SACP will support SATAWU on any action that it will take in defense of workers jobs and to pressure government to do something about this.
We call on government to speedily adjust expenditure and redirect the requisite funding to be able to urgently pay its dues.
Issued by the SACP.
Contact:
Malesela Maleka
SACP Spokesperson – 082 226 1802