Thousands of workers protest over high inflation in South Africa

JOHANNESBURG, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of workers affiliated with the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) took to the streets on Thursday in major cities of the country to express their concerns about the economy amid high inflation.

Due to the energy crisis, weak economic development and rising interest rates, millions of people are now struggling financially, said the COSATU, the largest labor union federation in South Africa.

There were marches in Durban, Bloemfontein, Cape Town and other parts of the country, where the workers were holding placards that read, "End poverty, job losses, and inequality" and "Equal pay for work of equal value."

Zingiswa Losi, president of the COSATU, said the energy crisis has a direct impact on the workers.

"Employers must pay workers a living wage. We must create jobs in South Africa, and we must deal with the issue of load shedding. These issues have an economic impact on the stability of the country," she said.