COSATU leads an anti-VAT strike

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Updated: 30 Sep 2019

The Congress Of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) called a two-day nation-wide strike to demonstrate their opposition to the government's intention to impose Value Added Tax (VAT) on basic foodstuffs, health care and essential services. The strike attracted 80 per cent workforce support from the manufacturing industry. COSATU and the African National Congress (ANC) issued a concerted statement: A referendum was held in the streets of our country today. The result was a devastating vote of no confidence in this government. The government reacted by declaring the strike unjustifiable; that it would cost an estimated R25, 000 million; and, that it also resulted in the loss of 70,000 jobs.

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How we know this

01Keesing's Record of World Events, News Digest for November 1991, p. 38560
02SAHO Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) [online] Available at: www.sahistory.org.za [Accessed on 5 November 2013]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). COSATU leads an anti-VAT strike. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012991

South African History Online (2011) 'COSATU leads an anti-VAT strike', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012991 (Accessed: 22 August 2026).

South African History Online, COSATU leads an anti-VAT strike [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012991, (accessed 22 August 2026).

"COSATU leads an anti-VAT strike." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012991. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

South African History Online. "COSATU leads an anti-VAT strike." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012991.