People 'not forced' to work

Spokesperson Patrick Craven warned that employers and "loan sharks" who were in possession of workers' identity documents had to return them immediately or face legal consequences, as this was illegal.

He said in a statement that workers should be free to vote in the general elections.

"As South Africa prepares to vote in Wednesday's historic elections, the Congress of South African Trade Unions repeats its urgent call on government and employers to do everything possible to make sure that every worker is able to vote."

Cosatu called on employers to respect their employees' democratic right, as its affiliates would be closely monitoring the situation.

Craven said the union federation would not hesitate to take legal action to defend any of its members denied their basic constitutional right by being subjected to any form of coercion to work or disciplinary action for failing to report for work on voting day.

"Even those workers who are genuinely employed in essential emergency services must be given sufficient time off to reach their polling stations."

Cosatu also called on President Kgalema Motlanthe and Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana to state publicly that election day was a non-trading public holiday.

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