Cosatu vows to protect KZN e-hailing drivers from exploitation and safety threats

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) in KwaZulu-Natal has committed to developing a Joint Programme of Action with e-hailing drivers to push for legislative reform, improved safety protections, and international recognition of platform workers' rights.

This follows a meeting held in Durban on Sunday, where Cosatu engaged with e-hailing drivers to discuss their grievances and outline a coordinated response. Cosatu aims to work with drivers to lobby for regulatory changes, participate in global labour processes through the International Labour Organization (ILO), and organise platform workers within the broader trade union movement.

“E-hailing workers are among the most vulnerable in our economy,” said Edwin Mkhize, Cosatu KZN provincial secretary.

“They face rising costs, declining incomes, and violent working conditions without protections. We are committed to fighting alongside them.”

Drivers raised concerns about burdensome vehicle permit regulations, including a “double disc” system that complicates compliance and raises operating costs.

They also accused Uber of increasing its commission to between 45% and 50%, while simultaneously cutting ride prices in response to market competition, leaving drivers with shrinking earnings. Many drivers reportedly struggle to meet monthly vehicle payments, with repossessions and financial stress becoming increasingly common.

Cosatu also highlighted the safety risks faced by e-hailing drivers, who operate without formal workplace protections and are frequently targeted in hijackings, robberies, and violent attacks.

In response, the union has undertaken to:

• Partner with drivers to launch a coordinated Programme of Action;
• Push for urgent reform of outdated and duplicative regulations;
• Demand the implementation of enforceable safety standards;
• Ensure South African workers' voices are included in ILO efforts to draft a global convention on platform labour rights.

“We call on the South African government to act decisively against these systemic injustices,” said Mkhize. “Workers cannot continue to carry the burden while platform companies profit.”

Adding to the response, Mzo Ngcobo, spokesperson for the KZN E-Hailing Council, expressed support for Cosatu's initiative, confirming a meeting had taken place between the council and COSATU to formulate a partnership and programme of action.

Ngcobo said, “This gesture has been endorsed by the National E-Hailing Federation of South Africa (NEFSA), which are currently organising a national shutdown. The proposal comes at the right time, where the e-hailing sector needs everybody to join hands and address the exploitation of e-hailing drivers in the country.”

Ngcobo also pointed to international legal precedents supporting workers’ rights, noting that “in Europe, a high court ruled in favour of labour unions to correctly classify e-hailing drivers as employees,” and expressed hope that similar rulings could be pursued in Sub-Saharan Africa.

He concluded, “With the help of labour unions, we have complete trust that these matters will be addressed, and if necessary, we will take the matter to court.”

THE MERCURY