UASA Media Release: 4 March 2024
Statement by Abigail Moyo, spokesperson of the trade union UASA:
The fuel price increases coming into effect tomorrow at midnight will wallop workers, resulting in financial distress as they will be forced to pay more for basic needs.
Both grades of petrol will increase by R1.21/L; diesel (0.05% sulphur) will rise by R1.05/L, while 0.005% sulphur will be R1.18/L more. The inland petrol price for 95 grade will cost R24.45 a litre, while the coastal price will reach R23.73. Diesel (0.05) will retail at R22.42/L inland and R21.70 in coastal areas.
The wholesale price of illuminating paraffin will be 64c/L more, and the maximum retail price for LP gas will increase by 41c/kg.
Although this year’s National Budget did not include an increase in the general fuel and Road Accident Fund levies, the high taxes continue to weigh down fuel prices, adding around R6.13 per litre.
UASA is deeply concerned about the financial pressure on workers due to the fuel hike. Workers, already bent over backwards to accommodate the tax demands of the state, will now pay even more for transport to work and back, while manufacturers’ input costs will also increase due to the price hike. Over time, this will mean that workers must fork out more for goods at the counter.
UASA calls on the government to save on its expenditure wherever possible and act in the best interest of its citizens. Financially crippling workers and other consumers is not the way to go about creating economic transformation and growth.
For further enquiries or to set up a personal interview,
contact Abigail Moyo at 065 170 0162.