The cost of basic goods remained a key concern during Parliament’s public hearing on the 2026 Appropriation Bill, where COSATU and civil society groups called for stronger support for poor households.
COSATU has criticised the 2026/27 Budget and Appropriation Bill as a "missed opportunity" to confront South Africa’s unemployment, poverty and public service crises, during a public hearing held in Parliament on Wednesday morning, June 10, 2026.
The federation made its submission to Parliament’s Select Committee on Appropriations, where several civil society organisations, including Women on Farms Project, the Healthy Living Alliance and the Budget Justice Coalition, also raised concerns about the impact of the budget on poor and working-class communities.
COSATU parliamentary co-ordinator Matthew Parks told the committee that while the federation welcomed some allocations in the budget, the overall package did not respond decisively to the country’s deepening social and economic challenges.
"We are disappointed with the budget and the bill," Parks said, adding that the country was still battling "1% economic growth" and a 43.7% unemployment rate.
