The union also said it's disappointing that President Cyril Ramaphosa did not announce measures to address the chaos in distributing social grants.

Matthew Parks, Parliamentary coordinator for Cosatu, said the union is concerned with widespread complacency from employers and South Africans when it comes to adhering to social measures intended to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Parks encouraged South Africans to keep as many measures in place as possible, including social distancing, mask-wearing, and rigorous social hygiene. 

Parks also said the government needs to do more to actively stimulate the economy, aside from austerity measures.

"Right now, our focus is on the worst economic crisis in 100 years. We're in a deep economic recession.

"We have 40 percent of workers unemployed and millions more might lose their jobs. We're very worried about simply cutting expenditure. We have to stimulate the economy, we have to find resources," Parks said.

eNCA