Ahead of a planned national stay away, the government has warned participating public servants that they won’t be paid for the day if they strike. The Department of Public Service and Administration says that employees who deliver essential services are also not allowed to participate at all during working hours. The shutdown has been organised by the Trade Unions, Saftu and Cosatu, in protest of cost of living pressures and the state of the economy. Demonstrations will be held in the major cities, in 6 provinces.