The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) reiterates its call for urgent fuel levy relief to cushion workers and households from the increasing cost of fuel at a time when South Africans are already struggling with the high cost of living, stagnant wages and persistently high unemployment.
FEDUSA has, for many years, called for government to review and reduce the fuel levies that contribute to the price paid by motorists at the pumps. The federation believes that the time for meaningful action is now. Calls for relief cannot continue without concrete measures being implemented to protect workers and vulnerable households.
The severity of high fuel prices extends far beyond motorists. Fuel is a major input cost across the economy, and increases have a direct and indirect impact on public transport, food prices, electricity alternatives, logistics, agriculture and the cost of delivering essential goods and services. When transport and distribution costs rise, these increases are ultimately passed on to consumers.
For workers, the situation is particularly concerning. Many employees must travel long distances to and from work every day. As fuel and transport costs increase while wages fail to keep pace with the broader cost of living, workers are left with less money for food, housing, electricity, education and other basic household needs.
FEDUSA is concerned that South Africans continue to carry an increasingly heavy financial burden with insufficient relief from government. How are workers expected to absorb repeated increases in fuel and transport costs while their wages remain under pressure? What meaningful measures are being implemented to provide relief to struggling households?
FEDUSA therefore calls on government and National Treasury to urgently reduce the burden of fuel levies and provide immediate and sustainable relief to workers and consumers, including subsidising fuel prices by R3.00 per litre with immediate effect
ENDS
For media enquiries:
Betty Moleya
FEDUSA Media and Communications
063 736 5533
For interviews:
Riefdah Ajam
FEDUSA General Secretary
079 696 2625
Ashley Benjamin
FEDUSA Deputy General Secretary
083 258 4433