South Africa\u2019s biggest labour group wants the government to come up with a stimulus plan to prepare for the impact of the coronavirus, potentially stretching the country\u2019s already strained finances.<\/p>\n
The Congress of South African Trade Unions will call for the plan at a meeting on Monday of the National Economic Development and Labour Council, which includes business and government leaders, said Matthew Parks, Cosatu\u2019s parliamentary coordinator. Cosatu represents 1.8 million workers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will be pushing for an economic intervention plan to prepare for the impact\u201d of the virus, he said.<\/p>\n
President Cyril Ramaphosa said last week that his administration\u2019s drive to turn the economy around is being frustrated by the pandemic and other factors beyond its control. In South Africa, 24 people have so far tested positive for the disease, the most of any country in sub-Saharan Africa.<\/p>\n
Africa\u2019s most-industrialized economy has twice slipped into recession since Ramaphosa took office in February 2018.<\/p>\n