Marching for Change

Thousands of municipal workers took to the streets of Johannesburg today demanding a 15% pay hike and guarantees that all vacant job placements will be filled by no later than January 2010. Garbage collection, vehicle licensing and bus services did not run today, adding to the chaos caused by a 40-block power outage in the Central Business District.

South Africa has seen a wave of violent protests in recent weeks. On Wednesday, a township near Balfour saw riots reminiscent of the xenophobic violence of last year; some 100 foreigners huddled outside the Balfour police station, afraid to return to their homes. Faced with high unemployment and lack of services, township residents are resentful of foreigners who they fear may take jobs away from South Africans.

President Zuma’s ANC administration campaigned on a platform to reduce poverty and has since had to renege on a promise to create 500,000 jobs. In the midst of an economic recession, it may be difficult to meet the demands of the many trade unions. The government barely avoided a strike by rail workers today.

Municipal workers chant and ululate as they march to the municipal buildings.

“If you pay peanuts, then hire monkeys.” Strikers have called for a 15% increase in wages among other demands.

An angry striker stares down a security official outside the headquarters of Pik It Up, the City of Johannesburg’s waste management company.

Other marchers diffuse the situation and keep the peace.

An angry striker tosses a bag of garbage at the front doors of Pik It Up.

A union member pleads with the crowd to stop throwing garbage at the building.

Despite the efforts of some union members, strikers continue to throw trash onto the streets.

Outside municipal government buildings –and the headquarters of FIFA South Africa– protesters sing and dance while waiting for an address from municipal leaders.

Union leaders address the crowd.

Mayor Amos Masondo prepares to address the crowd.

Union members cite the large salaries municipal officials make as one reason for a raise. Samwu (South African Municipal Workers Union) secretary general Dumisani Langa was quoted in The Star as saying that “an executive director earns about R1 Million (US $130,000)…while ordinary workers who perform critical duties earn just R3500 (US $450) a month.”

Police stand between irate union members and curt politicians.

An older man tests the resolve of a police unit protecting the podium, moments before the crowds disperse. Local officials have so far not agreed to meet the demands of the workers; Samwu has said that it will continue striking till at least Wednesday.

To see an excellent set of photos on the same event, check out Austin Andrews’ photoblog by clicking here.