Fuel increase will impact working class: SAFTU

The South African Federation of Trade Unions has warned that the latest fuel price increase will have a far reaching impact on the working class.

From Wednesday morning, motorists are paying 82 cents more per litre for petrol, and an additional 85 cents a litre for diesel.

SAFTU General Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, says it’s concerning that the increase will have a knock on effect on the cost of living… yet worker’s salaries are not increasing.

“This is going to be followed by increases in the price of food, clothing, everything is going to go up. We are going to face an even higher rate of inflation. We must remember that this comes after the VAT increase. The fuel levy goes up every time the petrol price goes up. It impacts the RAF levy, the taxes of liquor and sugar.”

“All these things are consumed by the working people,” says Vavi.