Cosatu urges shoppers to buy local

"This will help boost the domestic economy by increasing demand for locally-produced goods and thus save and create jobs in the firms that manufacture them," said Congress of SA Trade Union's spokesman Patrick Craven in a statement.

Cosatu urged its members and the wider community to join its Buy South African campaign on 6 and 7 December, when pickets would be held at shopping malls countrywide to persuade shoppers to buy local.

"The current global financial crisis has already resulted in a slowdown in the economy. Retrenchments have already begun, in the mines, the car industry and elsewhere."

Craven said that many more local employers were threatening to lay off workers as a result of the downturn in the world economy.

"Workers are facing a black Christmas in 2008. Even the majority of employed workers will not have enough money during this festive season to spend with their families."

These workers would also have difficulty in paying for their children's education at the beginning of 2009.

Both workers and consumers would benefit from buying locally-made goods. "More workers will be employed and prices will come down - but only if we succeed in persuading us, the consumers, to buy South African and support our local economy."

Local firms should not raise their prices to the same level as imported goods so they could make a quick profit.

Cosatu is expected to picket in Soweto's Maponya Mall, the East Rand Mall in Ekurhuleni, the Sanlam Centre in Parow, Embalenhle Mall in Secunda, Savannah Mall in Polokwane, Pavilion Mall in Kimberley as well as shopping centres in KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State and the Eastern Cape. More details would be released later, Craven said.

Source: Sapa

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