23 Aug

UASA Media Release: 23 August 2023

Statement by Abigail Moyo, spokesperson of the trade union UASA:

The drop in the inflation rate as measured by the consumer price index (CPI), put a little more money in workers’ pockets during July.

Statistics SA today said the annual consumer price inflation dropped to 4.7% in July 2023 from 5.4% in June 2023, the lowest in almost two years.

Stats SA said consumer prices increased on average by 0.9% in the time under review and were up from the 0.2% rise recorded in both May and June. The main contributors to the annual inflation rate included food and non-alcoholic beverages, housing and utilities, and miscellaneous goods and services.

The annual inflation rate for municipal tariffs shows that the housing and utilities index increased by 2.8% between June and July. This means that on average, households now pay 14.5% more for electricity. Water tariffs increased by 9.6% and property rates by 2.9%.

These are difficult financial times for workers, and therefore UASA demands that the government relook the pricing of utilities such as water and electricity to lessen the burden.

Next month, fuel prices are expected to put the break on any disposable income workers may have had during July.

The drop in the CPI is pleasing news but UASA continues to encourage its members and all workers to use this opportunity to tackle other financial and household needs and save something for the future.

For further enquiries or to set up a personal interview, contact Abigail Moyo at 065 170 0162.

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